To provide a supportive environment for homeless individuals and families to stabilize their lives and transition to self-sufficiency, GRIP relies on an extensive network of volunteers from our member congregations and the community.

Volunteer opportunities are available seven days a week, year-round. 

In addition to the opportunities, below, we need volunteers to organize and staff daytime babysitting and child care, academic tutoring and enrichment programs for youths and adults, and prepare and serve residents  breakfast and evening meals.  Contact us to learn more or to share ideas.

Current volunteer opportunities include:

Help prepare and serve meals at the Souper Center kitchen. No experience necessary. For lunches, volunteers work from 9am to 2pm. Contact Joyce Hutson for noonday meal volunteering, (510) 233-2141 x 324. For breakfast and dinner for Family Shelter residents, contact Connie Green (510) 233-2141 x 312. A variety of options to help with meals is available. Preferred options include:   select a week  (Sunday through Saturday) for you or your group to provide and prepare breakfast and/or dinner, or request our staff prepare the food. If unable to provide meals for an entire week, we have additional options for you to help.

Help the West County Resource Center provide direct services and case management to homeless individuals and families. The Resource Center provides everything from showers and laundry to case management and referrals to employment, education and housing. Volunteer projects are varied, and include working directly with clients, working on clerical projects, and helping maintain and beautify the facility.

Help with our new children's program: we are seeking a volunteer to staff this program. The position’s main focus is to coordinate with parents, homeless service providers, congregations and other volunteers, to plan and implement supported care,  pre-school, academic and cultural programs and activities. Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Works with consultants, agencies and volunteers to develop and implement care support for children, including training for and involvement of parents.
• Plans and conducts special programs and activities.
• Selects appropriate books, songs, puppets, etc.
• Develops and updates storytime collection; prepare crafts.
• Responsible for daily building clean up and lock-up in children areas.
• Ensures that that all children are supervised and engaged in planned programs or activities, homework, skills work or appropriate, adult-supervised activity.

If you are interested in volunteering, or to make in-kind or other donations, please contact Toni Lawrence at (510) 233-2141 ext. 303.

All volunteer opportunities take place at the new GRIP "Souper Center" Family Housing and Supportive Services Center at 165 22nd Street in Richmond.