Getting Started with Volunteering

All potential volunteers need to contact our Volunteer Manager at volunteer@ccschouston.org or by filling out the Volunteer Interest Form. The Volunteer Manager will make an appointment to meet with you to answer your questions, explore your interests and review current CCSC volunteer opportunities.

Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities

Emergency Services-Central

Emergency Services-Central, located at 3434 Branard St., is a service center for individuals and families in crisis. This placement is a great fit for volunteers who are team-oriented, like to stay busy, and want to serve community members in need of basic resources (food, clothing rent or utility assistance, etc.).

• Receptionist – Greet and screen clients, answer crisis line calls, maintain client records.
• Interviewer – Interview clients to assess their needs and determine how CCSC can assist.
• Food Pantry – Sort and stock food items, fill orders for clients in need.
• Administration – Assist in database management, record-keeping and statistical analysis.
• Bilingual – Bilingual volunteers needed to assist in all areas.
• Clothing Pantry – Sort clothing and help clients shopping in the Clothing Pantry.

Click Emergency Services-Central for more information.

Emergency Services-Southwest

Like Emergency Services-Central, Emergency Services-Southwest, located at 6856 Bellaire, serves clients in crisis by providing a five-day supply of food for people and/or rent and utility assistance.

• Receptionist/Greeter – Welcome clients, provide client assistance, maintain computer files.
• Interviewer – Interview clients in crisis to assess their needs.
• Food Packager – Sort and stock food items, fill orders for clients in need.
• Bilingual – Bilingual volunteers needed to assist in all areas.

Click Emergency Services- Southwest for more information.

JobNet

CCSC’s JobNet is a resource center that supports clients in search of employment. This volunteer opportunity is wonderful for more independent volunteers who excel in an office environment and are excited about helping the underemployed find work.

• Office Assistant – With JobNet manager, oversee daily operations at our center, provide client orientation, answer phone lines and help schedule appointments.
• Coach – Assist individual clients in their job search, provide one-to-one encouragement and guidance.
• Instructor – Facilitate pre-designed workshops and computer classes.
• Computer Lab Assistant – Assist clients as they work independently in the computer lab.
• Bilingual – Bilingual volunteers needed to assist in all areas.

Click JobNet for more information.

Martha’s Way

Martha’s Way is a vocational training program designed to increase the earning potential of low-income women and men. Volunteers help students practice for real-world experiences.

• English as  a Second Language Tutor – Assist ESL students with specialized one-on-one English tutoring and testing.
• Interviewer – Role play as a homeowner hiring our graduates to help students learn the interview process.

Click Martha’s Way for more information.

Louise J. Moran Vision Care Program

CCSC partners with local schools to offer vision screening for students on their campuses. CCSC then organizes field trips to the University Eye Institute on the University of Houston campus to give students in need professional exams and eyeglasses. Volunteers who enjoy direct involvement with children and are available on weekday mornings, typically during the fall semester, are often drawn to this area of service. There is an informational meeting for all potential volunteers in August before the beginning of each school year. All Vision Care volunteers must complete a background check coordinated through CCSC.

Volunteer Roles:

• Screener – Visit local schools as a member of our volunteer team to screen students’ vision. Training is provided.
• Field Trip Assistant – Assist students selecting frames for their lenses at the University Eye Institute on the U of H campus.

For more information regarding the Louise J. Moran Vision Care Program, contact Youth Services Manager Sarah Hans at 713-961-3993 ext. 326 or seasonal@ccschouston.org.

Community Garden

CCSC’s Garden harvests fresh produce for Emergency Services-Central and Emergency Services-Southwest clients. Those who enjoy gardening and are available on Monday, Wednesday or Friday mornings tend to be an excellent fit for this opportunity.

• Gardener – Plant, water and/or harvest fresh vegetables and fruit.

Click Community Garden for more information.

Administrative Office

Assist with various special/seasonal projects contact the Volunteer Manager at volunteer@ccschouston.org.

Occasional and One-time Opportunities

Emergency Services Sorting Projects (ON-SITE OPTION) – Our crisis centers help individuals and families in need of food and financial assistance. Our program relies heavily on donated items. In peak seasons, individuals, families and/or small groups (1-12 people) are needed to organize canned goods. Weekday or Saturday times may be arranged. Note that the Emergency Services facility is near Greenway Plaza. For more information email the Volunteer Manager at volunteer@ccschouston.org.

Emergency Services Hygiene Kits (OFF-SITE OPTION) – Emergency Services clients often need hygiene items. Individuals and groups are encouraged to collect and compile basic hygiene kits in Ziploc bags. Emergency Services prefers to include the following in all hygiene kits: one full-size shampoo, one full-size toothpaste, one or more individually wrapped toothbrushes, and one or more deodorants (gender neutral preferred). “Bonus items” such as a washcloth, hand sanitizer or shaving cream are also welcome. (Bar soap and toilet paper are included in all food packages and are much-needed items given separately from the hygiene kits.) Bring completed kits to our facility and they will be distributed to community members in need. This project may be done at your convenience and delivered to either 3434 Branard St. or 6856 Bellaire Blvd.

Emergency Services No-Sew Blankets (OFF-SITE OPTION) – Be creative with no-sew blankets. Help individuals and families keep warm by making these fun blankets. This is a great project for groups or individuals. Blankets may be large or small. Baby blankets are welcome as well. For more information, please contact the Volunteer Manager at volunteer@ccschouston.org

Home Caregiver PPE Kits (OFF-SITE OPTION) – Graduates from CCSC’s Professional Home Caregiver Training Program need personal protective equipment (PPE) to enable them to safely work in the caregiving industry. Needed PPE include the following: masks (disposable or cloth), face shields, 8-ounce hand sanitizer, hand lotion, nitrile disposable gloves sizes s-m-l, disinfecting wipes and zippered bag to hold PPE.

Back To School

Each summer, CCSC helps prepare thousands of students for the upcoming school year through its Back To School program. In late July and early August, volunteers assemble and distribute school supplies, backpacks and clothing gift cards to families in need at our community event. Volunteers will be asked to sign up in advance to participate in Back To School.

CCSC invites you to support the Back To School program by equipping students for success. It only costs $75 to provide a child with an academic supply package, backpack and clothing/shoe gift card. Donations in any amount are appreciated.

For more information regarding Back To School, contact Youth Services Manager Sarah Hans at 713-961-3993 ext. 326 or seasonal@ccschouston.org.

Jingle Bell Express

In December, CCSC helps spread Christmas cheer to approximately 2,500 children in need through the Jingle Bell Express program. Children ages newborn to 15 years old receive toys, books and food assistance for Christmas. During this week-long program, volunteers help with toy and book setup and prepare children’s gift bags. Volunteers assist clients with gift pickup during our drive-thru community event. Many types of volunteers contribute to the success of Jingle Bell Express. All volunteer groups of 8 or more should sign up to volunteer with Youth Services Manager Sarah Hans at seasonal@ccschouston.org. All other volunteers can sign up in advance by clicking the link below: 

CCSC invites you to support the Jingle Bell Express program by purchasing new nonviolent primary toys and books for children ages 0 to 15 years old. Donations are accepted year-round.

For more information regarding Jingle Bell Express, contact Youth Services Manager Sarah Hans at 713-961-3993 ext. 326 or at seasonal@ccschouston.org.

Matching Volunteer Hours

Your volunteer hours could be matched with real dollars! Many companies are matching their employees’ or retired employees’ community volunteer hours with financial donations. Please check with your human resources department to see if your company has a matching volunteer hours program.