We couldn't achieve our mission without the support of our incredible volunteers. By serving at CCSC, volunteers build friendships while making a difference in their communities. Opportunities range from organizing food and clothing or conducting client interviews to providing job training or serving at our youth-focused community events.
Why Give Back Through CCSC
Do Meaningful Work
Whether organizing donations, conducting interviews or helping clients navigate our center, you will have a sense of purpose and see your impact firsthand.
Build Your Community
Our volunteers are team-oriented and often come on the same day of the week or month. This allows them to get to know each other and develop community.
Make Long-Term Impacts
CCSC volunteers often serve for years building relationships and making long-term impacts on the lives of those we serve.
Volunteer Opportunities
The volunteer opportunities below describe some of the most impactful volunteer jobs at CCSC. Volunteers in these positions usually interact personally with our clients and donate four hours of service each week.
Emergency Services
JobNet
Martha’s Way and Home Caregiver
Louise J. Moran Vision Care Program
CCSC Garden
Youth Services Events
Emergency Services
Operates from two locations in central and southwest Houston and serves 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/Greeter
Greet and screen clients, answer crisis-line calls, provide client assistance and maintain client records. Bilingual volunteers especially needed.
Interviewer*
Interview clients to assess their needs and determine how CCSC can assist. Bilingual volunteers especially needed.
Food Pantry
Sort and stock food items and fill food orders for clients.
Clothing Pantry
Sort clothing and help clients select items in the Clothing Pantry.
Administration
Assist in database management, record keeping and statistical analysis.
JobNet
A resource center that supports low-income clients in search of employment. This volunteer opportunity is ideal for independent volunteers who excel in an office environment and are motivated by helping the underemployed find work.
Receptionist
Greet clients, answer phone calls and provide information about JobNet services.
Coach
Assist individual clients in their job search and provide one-to-one encouragement and guidance.
Computer Instructor
Facilitate pre-designed workshops and computer classes, and work with each student to ensure understanding.
Workshop Facilitator
Lead workshops on topics designed to provide tools for a successful job search.
Resource Assistant
Provide JobNet clients with additional community resources in the Houston area.
Martha’s Way and Home Caregiver
Vocational training programs designed to increase the earning potential of low-income women and men. Volunteers help students practice for real-world experiences.
ESL Tutor
Assist ESL students with specialized one-to-one English tutoring and testing.
Interviewer
Role play as a potential client hiring our graduates to help students learn the interview process.
Outreach Assistant
Conduct outreach for CCSC vocational training programs by distributing marketing materials in order to recruit clients.
Louise J. Moran Vision Care Program
CCSC partners with local schools to offer vision screening for students on their campuses. 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.
Screener
Visit local schools as a member of our volunteer team to screen students’ vision. Training is provided.
Field Trip Assistant
Assist students receiving eye exams and selecting frames for their lenses at the University Eye Institute on the U of H campus.
CCSC Garden
Harvests fresh produce for Emergency Services 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 fruits and vegetables.
Youth Services Events
Each year, CCSC seeks volunteers for the Back To School and Jingle Bell Express community events. Check back at a later date for more information on how to sign up to volunteer for these events.
Back To School
Assemble school supplies and/or distribute supplies, backpacks, and clothing gift cards to families at a community event. Volunteer opportunities are limited.
Jingle Bell Express
Sort Christmas gifts and/or distribute Christmas toys, books, and grocery gift cards to families at a community event. Volunteer opportunities are limited.
The opportunities below are projects for individuals or groups. Equip CCSC with much-needed items that we can share with our neighbors experiencing resource insecurity. Please deliver supplies to 3434 Branard St. or 6856 Bellaire Blvd. Clothing may be delivered to 3434 Branard only.
Run a Food Drive
Food drives—no matter how large or small—are a great way to help our hungry neighbors.
Ongoing needs include men’s items in all sizes, especially pants and shoes, and children’s items in all sizes.
If you plan to host a clothing drive, please email volunteer@ccschouston.org to inquire about current clothing needs.
Testimonials
"My experience with CCSC has been excellent. If you have some free time and would like a very rewarding experience, we would love to add you to our volunteer family."
Bob McMahan
CCSC Volunteer Since 2015
"It is the best feeling to bring hope to somebody’s situation. I can hear their smile and feel the sunshine through the phone as they thank me for helping them."
Margret Woodard
CCSC Volunteer Since 2004
"It’s a wonderful way to give back to the community in these hard times. You meet the nicest people in the process. It’s only a few hours out of your day, once a week or so, and you are doing something, giving back."
Kathy Shearer
CCSC Volunteer Since 2017
"I have found so much joy in volunteering with the clients at CCSC. They come to me and want to learn and grow. They are ready for something and I’m helping them find it."
Rhena Anderson, RN
CCSC Volunteer Since 2022
FAQs
Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions from volunteers. Can't find the answer to your question? Email us at volunteer@ccschouston.org and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
CCSC has several different types of volunteer opportunities, both on-site and off-site, including but not limited to:
Working in our food pantry or clothing pantry
Meeting one-to-one with our clients to assess their needs
Helping answer phone calls from clients
Working with clients to prepare them for and support them through their career journey
Volunteering in the CCSC Garden
Participating in our Youth Services programs
Assisting with administrative tasks
Volunteering at our fundraising events
Your first step is to fill out the Volunteer Interest Form. You will be contacted to set up a meeting with the Volunteer Manager to discuss your volunteer goals.
This depends on the volunteer role you choose. Most of our volunteer opportunities take place Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. We ask our volunteers to commit to working four hours one day per week or one Saturday a month when possible, to foster a team environment. However, we understand that schedules vary, so if you are unable to commit every week, please discuss your schedule with the Volunteer Manager.
Yes! Volunteers receive on-the-job training. You will be paired with a seasoned volunteer or a staff member who will mentor you until you are comfortable in your assigned role.
We ask that any volunteer under the age of 16 be accompanied at all times by an adult parent/guardian. Not every volunteer role is appropriate for children.
We love having groups volunteer with us. However, we do not always have on-site projects that will accommodate large groups. Please reach out to the Volunteer Manager 2-3 months in advance of the day your group is interested in volunteering to discuss potential on-site projects. Additionally, CCSC has off-site projects available that can be conducted at a location of the group’s choosing to benefit CCSC clients. Off-site projects are available year-round.
We are occasionally able to offer community service hours for court-ordered community service, but options are limited. Opportunities are dependent on the nature of the offense and agency needs at the time of the request. To request court-ordered community service hours, please fill out this form.
CCSC is a service provider to those undergoing daily, silent disasters such as unemployment, low wages, hunger, and a lack of other basic needs, not a first responder or expert in disaster relief. However, there are effective ways the agency can serve the community when a disaster strikes the Gulf Coast.
During a crisis, CCSC should continue to serve its regular clients while also serving disaster victims through its existing programs. CCSC may adjust policies to serve these victims and can also connect clients, particularly first-time clients, to other agencies and resources. In addition, it can become a clearinghouse of information for its member churches, especially those churches serving as Red Cross shelters.
A special group of trained volunteer leaders is needed during disasters to assist with communication and managing other volunteers who come wanting to help. These volunteer leaders may coordinate group projects, help in answering the phone, and accept donations from outside groups. If you would like to be a part of this group when a disaster strikes, please fill out the Volunteer Interest Form.
