Youth Volunteers

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Facing Homelessness! We are excited to engage youth in our programs whenever we can do so safely. Due to the nature of our work, we have specific guidelines for youth volunteers of our programs. Youth and/or their parents, guardians or similar can request to volunteer, receive a youth volunteer waiver and direct any questions to info@facinghomelessness.org.

Window of Kindness:

  • Parents and youth volunteers must attend a Facing Homelessness Orientation prior to volunteering. You can learn more and sign up for the orientation here.

  • All volunteers under the age of 18 will need to have a waiver signed by a parent or guardian prior to volunteering and attend a Window of Kindness training.

  • Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian while volunteering.

The BLOCK Shop and BLOCK Builds:

  • For safety reasons, we are unable to accommodate youth under the age of 14 on the build site, or at the BLOCK shop.

  • Youth 14 years or older are welcome on some build days, as long as they are with a supervising adult in a ratio of at least one adult per every four youth.

  • Youth volunteers must complete a liability waiver and have it signed by a parent or guardian.

  • All volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult (guardian or similar).

  • A volunteer must be 16 or older to use power tools other than impact drills and drivers.

  • 14 and 15-year-olds are allowed to paint and landscape; module assembly will be on a case by case basis.

  • 16 and 17-year-olds are allowed to paint, landscape and do general carpentry, which can include activities such as hammering, putting in insulation, etc. They cannot do excavation, demolition, roofing, use power cutting tools, or work at heights above 4 feet.

  • All youth are required to wear appropriate safety equipment for the task they are performing. Regardless of the tasks being performed, volunteers should at all times wear appropriate clothing to the site including thick-soled, closed-toed shoes and long pants. Safety glasses, gloves and ear protection will be provided by BLOCK Project Staff unless you are prompted to bring these items when signing up for an event.

  • All shop volunteers must become acquainted with and follow shop safety guidelines as provided by the BLOCK Shop Production Manager.

Companionship Program:

  • Volunteers must be 21 or older to volunteer with the Companionship Program.