Support Us: Volunteer Opportunities 
We offer both individual and group opportunities that can also be paired with an event at our main campus, The Wellstone Center. Please read below for a list of our most popular selections.
Various One-Time Seasonal Events
Check this box on your application to receive monthly email updates on one-time, weekly and group volunteer opportunities at Neighborhood House. Help with our Holiday School Supply Drive and help kids get ready for a new year with the supplies they need. Help us reach our goal during the March Food Drive.
Clerical Support
Support our participants by helping Neighborhood House’s administrative duties run smoothly. Duties may include: Data entry, help with mailings, filing, organizing data. Clerical support is on an as-needed basis. Flexible hours available.
Food Shelf Assistant
Friendly volunteers in our food shelf provide direct service to our participants. Interact while you shop with families in our food shelf. In addition, sort and stock food from various generous donations when supplies are low. Our food shelf is open every day, lots of availability! Spanish & Hmong speakers a plus. Hours: Monday-Friday 9-4. Under 14 with adult.
Farmer’s Market Food Collection
Looking for weekend opportunities? Come to the Saint Paul Farmer’s Market on Sundays from 12-2 in the summer/fall to collect unsold produce from local farmers. All food collected is distributed to struggling families using our food shelf. Families welcome!
Monthly Food Pickups
Pick up extra food for our food shelf from places around the cities once per month and bring it to us. Trader Joe's in Woodbury (Monday-Friday 9-10am), New French Bakery in Minneapolis (Tuesday and Wednesday PM), and Hope for the City in St. Louis Park (Tuesday 10am-12pm, large vehicles only). Must have reliable access to a vehicle.
Youth Leadership Volunteer
Help provide youth (ages 6-18) with a safe and fun after school/summer experience. Supervise and participate in activities with the children; assist with homework, assist with art, craft, and science projects; and change a life! Hours: Monday-Friday 3pm-8pm. Minimum 50 hour commitment.
Adolescent Tutor
Our tutoring program for students grades 6-12 strives to transform struggling students into students who exceed expectations. Create individualized lesson plans for math, reading, and writing, and develop trusting relationship with student. Hours: Monday-Thursday 3pm-6pm (one hour sessions).12 week time commitment required.
Summer in the City Camp Counselor
Great paid opportunity for students! Spend one month giving kids in grades 1-5 from low-income families a camp experience they’ll cherish for a lifetime. Swim, read, play sports, and much more. Have fun this summer with the best kids around. Interview required. Late July-August.
Skills for School Preschool Assistant
Help 3-5 year olds increase their school readiness by assisting with our free preschool program. Most of our kids speak a language other than English at home and need a little extra help to start school with the tools they need to succeed. Assis with crafts, reading,
learning ABCs and free play. Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30-11:30am at Neighborhood House; Wednesdays and Fridays 12:30-2:30pm at Homecroft Early Learning Center.
English Language Learner Teacher/Co-Teacher
Help immigrants and refugees learn English, no prior teaching experience necessary! Volunteer opportunities available for beginning to advanced levels. A minimum of 2.75 hours per week for 12 weeks is required. Training and resources provided. Classes: Monday-Friday 9am-11am, 11:30am-1:30pm, 6:30pm-8:30pm. Must be 18+.
GED Teacher and GED Co-Teacher
Teachers prepare learners to succeed at the GED exam by leading classes in various subject areas: math, writing, reading, science, and social studies. A minimum of 2.75 hours per week for 12 weeks is required. Classes: Monday-Friday, 11:30am-1:30pm, 6:30pm-8:30pm. Must be 18+.
Computer Class Teacher and Co-Teacher
Know only a little about computers and want to help others? Only a basic understanding of Word, Excel, and Internet Explorer is required. Teach our participants basics of computers so they can continue to thrive after learning English. Curriculum/Lesson Plans provided. Hours: Tuesday/Thursday 1:30-3:30pm, Monday-Thursday 5:15-6:15pm. Minnimum 12 weeks required.
Asian Pacific Islander (API) Community Health Educator
Our Health Education and Risk Reduction program (HERR-API) offers a safe space for API Adults to discuss sexual health. Volunteers are needed to facilitate sessions, recruit and retain participants, maintain participant files for the purpose of prevention and education that pertains to HIV/AIDS and other STD/STI infections. Classes are held both on-site or off-site through a one-time presentation by our bilingual Health Educator. Hours are flexible, knowledge of Asian language a plus.
Farmer's Market Food Collection
Looking for weekend opportunities? Come to the Saint Paul Farmer's Market on Sundays from 12:30-2:30pm July through October to collect unsold produce from local farmers. All food collected is distributed to struggling families using our food shelf. Families welcome!
Monthly Food Delivery to Homebound Seniors
Homebound seniors in apartments next to Neighborhood House need to receive their food and enjoy friendly conversation from generous volunteers the first Thursday of the month 9:30am-12pm. This is great for pairs of people to do together. Teach your grandchildren about the importance of service while they are off school! Families and friends welcome.
Success Story
Six-Year-Old Asks that her Birthday Presents go to Neighborhood House Food Shelf
Despite being only six years old, Abby knew that kids like her sometimes go hungry. This made her sad.
Then she learned that her birthday was during the Neighborhood House March Food Drive. Rather than request gifts for herself, she asked that her birthday party guests bring food to donate to the Neighborhood House food Shelf. With a pool party theme, there were games and cake for all to enjoy. But the most important thing for Abby was the incredible response to her gift request – over 120 pounds of food was donated to Neighborhood House.
Abby and her mother brought her birthday donations to Neighborhood House where Abby was still anxious to help. "I want to put each one on the shelf myself. That way everybody will get a piece of my birthday gift." With the guidance of staff, Abby cheerfully put every food item away in the Food Shelf.
Abby was motivated in party by the realization that little girls, not so different from her, were going to bed hungry. "I don't want other kids to miss supper. It's my favorite meal of the day because mommy makes the best supper and I see mommy and daddy and we all eat together."
