JOURNEYS | The Road Home Is Seeking Volunteers

Volunteers provide essential support to our neighbors experiencing homelessness and those at risk of becoming homeless in our community.

Submitted by Roxanne Gentry, JOURNEYS | The Road Home

JOURNEYS | The Road Home is seeking volunteers to join the fight against homelessness in the North and Northwest suburbs of Chicago. Opportunities for all schedules and talents are available. Volunteers for the overnight PADS Shelter Program are especially needed. There are also opportunities during the daytime at the HOPE Center.

With the PADS Shelter Program back up and running, JOURNEYS needs compassionate individuals to help support and forward its mission throughout the community. In Illinois, 10.4K people experience homelessness on any given day. Last year, JOURNEYS served over 800 clients experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless with 11,495 services provided.

"JOURNEYS provides critical support and services for a group of people in our community who are often marginalized and without a safety net," Executive Director Beth Nabors Powers said. "Though homelessness often goes unseen in suburban communities, our volunteers promote our mission by providing what is needed most: visible, hands-on action."

JOURNEYS focuses on providing individualized support to clients in its service area, and volunteers help to facilitate programs and services. There are opportunities for individuals, businesses and organizations.

Volunteers need not have prior experience, and many opportunities are available, including:

PADS Shelter Program Volunteer: Help to set up, facilitate and take down overnight shelter areas at faith community partners' facilities. Volunteers will be assigned a PADS Shelter site and can choose a four-hour shift within the period of shelter operations which begins in the evening and ends the next morning. Duties may include but are not limited to serving dinner or breakfast, preparing sack lunches, setting up beds and linens, monitoring shelter areas and cleaning up the next morning. It is a unique opportunity to serve clients directly and build lasting community bonds.

Front Desk Attendant (HOPE Center): Welcome clients to JOURNEYS and facilitate clients' experience at the day center. This includes organizing intake materials for case managers, serving hot meals to clients, answering the main JOURNEYS phone and forwarding calls to appropriate parties, etc.

Clothing Closet Volunteer (HOPE Center): Unpack, sort and organize clothing donations under the guidance of the volunteer coordinator.

Food Pantry Volunteer (HOPE Center): Unpack, sort and organize food donations under the guidance of the volunteer coordinator and clinical director.

For information on volunteer opportunities, contact the volunteer coordinator by calling (847) 963-9163 ext. 121 or visit journeystheroadhome.org/volunteer.html

About JOURNEYS | The Road Home

JOURNEYS | The Road Home is a nonprofit agency that provides shelter, social services, and housing to the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless in 37 towns in North/Northwest suburban Cook Country. The mission of JOURNEYS is to individually assess and serve its clients, while broadening community awareness and involvement. The agency consists of the PADS Shelter Program, the HOPE Center Supportive Services Program and the Pathways Housing Readiness Program focusing on intervention and assistance for those in need. On average, JOURNEYS serves between 800-1,000 people each year with fully comprehensive services.