Volunteer Roles
Housing Monitor Volunteer
Shifts: Monday - Friday, 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Saturday & Sunday, 11:00am - 2:00pm & 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Description: A Housing Monitor provides oversight of the building, supervises our residents, and monitors any volunteer groups that come in after hours or on the weekends. Monday - Friday our community dinner is at 7:00, so this volunteer will assist and interact with our residents as well as the homeless community during that time. The monitor will also ensure that residents’ evening chores are completed and that each resident is in the building at curfew. They need to be able to work effectively with people from various backgrounds who are in different stages of their transformation journey.
Purpose: The Housing Monitor helps maintain resident compliance, safety, and building security. This position is an amazing opportunity to forge close individual relationships with our residents in the program. There will be opportunities to oversee them completing their classwork and to have quality interactions without the distractions of the daytime hustle and bustle
Transportation Volunteer
Flexible Shifts
Description: A transportation volunteer drives our residents or members of our impoverished community to and from essential appointments. Some examples may include doctor visits, probation meetings, attorney meetings, off-campus classes, or church. Generally, this volunteer will be providing their own vehicle and gas; however, we do have a large passenger van for group outings. This is typically an as-needed position and the schedule would vary.
Purpose: The goal is to transport our residents or homeless to appointments they could not get to on their own. This is a great way to build one-on-one relationships, model compassion, and over time show them there are people they can depend on.
Mentor
Flexible Shifts
Description: The structure of this position is flexible and will change as your relationship evolves with your mentee. Ideally, this would begin with getting to know each other and listening to their story. Several of our community members crave friendship and support. So many people learn from the experiences of others, so your personal track record could set you up to be uniquely qualified for this area of our ministry. It is a great way to guide them closer to God and in a direction to improve their individual situation.
Purpose: The mentor will help guide an individual on their path to self-improvement. This volunteer will help encourage their mentee to meet the goals set for them while developing a relationship. This is a great position to get to know one of our community members individually.
Food Preparation & Service
Shifts: Monday - Friday; 11:45am - 12:45pm & 6:45pm - 7:45pm
Description: Good News at Noon provides lunch and dinner Mondays - Fridays at 12:00pm & 7:00pm. These meals are not only for our residents - we open it to our entire community. Whether it be our truly homeless neighbors, area factory workers on a lunch break, or low income families who join us for dinner; all are welcome. The majority of our meals are prepared by outside organizations like local churches or community groups. On those days, our food services volunteers will keep the food warm, plate the meals, and serve. However, when meals are not covered by an outside group, Good News is responsible for cooking and serving and it might be necessary to report slightly earlier on those days. Our residents rotate dining room and kitchen cleaning chores, but some degree of kitchen cleanup will also be needed from these volunteers.
Purpose: On the surface this position is about feeding people who are hungry - but it is much more than that. It puts volunteers in the right set of circumstances to develop relationships with those in need. Many of our food service workers have had the opportunity to talk to our impoverished community about Jesus and listen to their individual stories as well. These interactions make a huge difference in our ministry!
Front Desk
Shifts: Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 12:00pm & 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Description: The front desk is the first impression of our organization. We typically have 2-3 volunteers at the front desk at all times. These individuals must be comfortable interacting with people from various backgrounds and socio-economic statuses. It is important to model grace and compassion, but also adhere to the procedures set in place by Good News at Noon. We follow the True Charity model and utilize a points/exchange system to receive services. Points are earned by performing small service chores or attending classes and then can be exchanged for goods/services.
These volunteers sort incoming clothing/toiletry donations, organize showers for the homeless, monitor laundry room usage, answer phone calls, and direct those in need to appropriate services. Moderate computer skills, problem-solving, multi-tasking, and a general love of people are great characteristics to have for those interested in this position.
Class Host or Co-Host
Shifts: Weekdays 10:00am & 2:00pm
Description: At Good News at Noon we have an Exchange Points system. Instead of unlimited handouts that encourage dependency, this program allows our homeless neighbors to Earn Points by attending classes or doing a service chore on campus. They can then Exchange these points to “purchase” clothing, shoes, backpacks, laundry services, etc.
Purpose: These classes are for our homeless friends and they help to build relationships and trust. It also teaches service and work ethic. The program has been a huge success thus far as it allows individuals to feel like they have something to offer us in exchange for the goods they receive.
