On the Front Lines: Volunteers and Community Building

Here at Project HOME, we have long recognized that the solution to homelessness may begin with a roof and four walls, but must also include relationships and belonging in a vibrant community. Volunteers at Project HOME are often largely responsible for bringing people together.

When a volunteer calls, I hear a common refrain of wanting to do the noble deed of “feeding the homeless.” While many shelters and soup kitchens across Philadelphia undoubtedly need the skills and passion that these volunteers can bring, the philosophy of volunteerism at Project HOME truly focuses on relationship-building and community by using different and innovative means to connect the volunteer to our mission.

Volunteers at Project HOME build community in a variety of ways, often just beginning with an open handshake and warm smile. These two small gestures truly encompass the first steps of affirming the dignity of another person. I like to advise volunteers, even those who come to help serve lunch and dinner at one of our residences, that their first and foremost duty is making human connections and relationships, and that helping to serve and clean up the meal is always secondary.

Volunteers can run weekly small groups, providing classes that range from art, to knitting, to creative writing. Beyond leading a class or workshop, some volunteers run interest groups, such as our Veteran’s Group at Kate’s Place, where former and active service members can talk about issues that matter to them with the veterans that live at our residences.With the recent revamp of our volunteer program, one of our goals involves connecting more volunteers that would like to facilitate various activities for our residents.

While as an organization we often provide the therapeutic and wellness aspects necessary for recovery, we invite and encourage our volunteers to be frontline community builders, forging relationships based on shared laughter and fun, basic aspects of the human experience that anyone can relate to, no matter their personal history.

However, many of activities are less structured, and exist with a sole purpose of having a good time.

One group of volunteers, who have hosted a monthly Bingo Night at 1515 Fairmount for nearly 10 years, knows that the residents and staff come to do more than simply wait for their numbers to be called. Bingo Night provides an opportunity for all residents from across Project HOME as well as our alumni and community members to come together to enjoy laughs, fun, and most importantly, the Project HOME spirit of friendship and unity.

One residential program manager, Carolyn Crouch-Robinson, warmly recalls the many stories of residents and volunteers forging lasting relationships that transcend the boundaries of the few hours of time a volunteer dedicates.  “The residents who keep in touch with volunteers from the past, that update me on how that person is doing – that’s when you know we’re all wrapped up in each other’s recovery journey, when volunteers are such a part of the community and the ‘catching up with each other’ that is such an encouraging part of being in community with each other.”

Project HOME’s Kate’s Place, one of our most independent supportive housing facilities, has recently opened its doors to getting volunteers more involved. Program Manager Leigh Braden: “Here at Kate’s Place, we work to create a sense of community for our residents.  Because so many of our community members have been marginalized and at times ostracized by the world we live in, belonging to a community is vitally important to their well-being.  Volunteers are the linchpin of this process, and we as staff at Kate’s Place cannot do it without their support, ingenuity, and participation.” 

Many groups choose to lead holiday parties at our residences, where volunteers bring snacks, crafts, decorations, games, and music. Some host sports night parties, where all can come and enjoy watching the Philadelphia Phillies, 76ers, Flyers, or Eagles win.

Volunteering does not have to feel like drudgery to make an impact or to feed the soul. With technology often dominating our lives and face-to-face contact existing at a higher premium than ever, there is something to be cherished about an old-fashioned game of checkers, a conversation over coffee and a donut about current events, or facilitating a work of art by demonstrating a new painting technique.

I would like to invite anyone interested in unplugging, making friends, and debunking the stereotypical image of volunteering with homeless and formerly homeless individuals to become a part of Project HOME’s active and exciting volunteer program.