Volunteer with LCS

Thank you for considering volunteering with the Lawrence Community Shelter! After you fill out the Signup Form, we will contact you to schedule a training and orientation. Feel free to reach out to our Volunteer Program Manager, Mercedes Roland, if you have any questions about volunteering. Let us know if you are interested in setting up an internship for class credits or providing skilled services.

Contact Mercedes

Volunteer Sign Up

Volunteering Opportunities

Meal Prep

Help prepare meals for our shelter and village guests, with the support of our Chef! Training is provided. All experience levels are welcome. Volunteers may also help serve meals.

Hours: M-F 10:30 am to 12 pm

Laundry Assistant

Cleaning and Laundry Volunteers contribute to a clean and healthy environment at LCS. The ideal volunteer is organized, efficient, and comfortable with standing and repetitive tasks for long periods of time.

Hours: Daily from 7 am - 9 am

Serving Meals

All meals at LCS are served by our friendly team of servers in a cafeteria-style setting. Servers also wash the dishes and make sure the kitchen is clean before next use.

Breakfast shifts: Mon, Wed, Thurs, Sat, Sun 6 am- 8 am

Lunch shifts: Daily from 12:00-1:30 PM

Dinner shifts: Daily from 6:00-7:30 PM

Garden Volunteer (April - October)

People experiencing homelessness typically do not have access to fresh produce or productive green spaces. However, at LCS, volunteers help maintain a thriving vegetable garden and bring fresh harvests to the people we serve. Guests will sometimes participate in gardening activities alongside volunteers to reduce stress and learn more about growing food. All experience levels are welcome!

Shifts: Tuesdays and Saturdays 10 am to noon

Shelter Assistant

Shelter Assistant Volunteers contribute to the welcoming atmosphere of LCS by answering phone calls and providing information about services for people experiencing homelessness. The ideal volunteer is a people person, and should not hesitate to ask questions to clarify what clients and staff need.

Shifts are every day with flexibility between the hours of 8 am to 5 pm.

Intake Volunteer

There are several folks experiencing homelessness to different degrees. We offer a night-by-night program for guests to come stay, get their laundry done, shower, and more.. Intake volunteers help guests get the necessary items they need such as toiletries, etc. They may also help with the flow of traffic between spaces.

Shifts are everyday between 6:45 pm - 9 pm

Volunteer With LCS!

Apolonia Arteaga, LCS Volunteer

“My perspective on the shelter transformed once I began volunteering. I learned about the history and operation of the shelter and trauma-informed care, extending as much evidence-based compassion to those who need it most. Whether organizing the warehouse, cleaning, or working the front desk, I have a newfound appreciation for the work done at the shelter.

“To me, the Lawrence Community Shelter is a testament to a philosophy that I hold very dearly: people contain multitudes. I’ve been fortunate to have conversations with many souls at the shelter: staff, guests, and fellow volunteers. I’ve seen how earnest and gritty the staff are, dedicated to their mission. When I asked about a project’s status, a staff member told me, ‘Oh, we’ll make it happen, and we won’t stop until it’s done. That’s how we work around here!’ And I’ve spoken to guests, who are surprising, funny, kind, and above all, human beings, sometimes experiencing a crisis or just taking the world a day at a time.”