Volunteer with us
Share your love for Coachella Valley’s homeless and hungry by volunteering. It’s a gift to us when you help share the work of caring for our guests… and an opportunity for you to share a helping of God’s grace through your service.
New Volunteer – CVRM Volunteer Central
Volunteering at CVRM means more than just giving time to a ministry. It means sharing your time, giving the simple gift of welcome and friendship, and where you can make a difference in the lives of people in need. It’s a place where your passions, gifts, skills, and talents can intersect with the needs of the people we serve. Our goal is that every person who comes through our doors experience God’s love and this happens through our committed volunteers. Relationships develop, trust is built, and lives are restored. Be a part of something bigger than yourself – won’t you join us?
Click on the title of each volunteer position to see a full description with more details on how to get started.
PLEASE NOTE: ALL volunteers under the age of 18 MUST be accompanied by an adult, and children under the age of 12 years old are not eligible to volunteer.
Each eligible minor child volunteering at CVRM must submit an individual application along with a parent.
All volunteers must attend one session of the mandatory orientation before starting the service and fill out a background consent form located under the volunteer application.
CONTINUANCE IN THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM IS CONTINGENT UPON YOUR ATTENDANCE AT ORIENTATION.
ALL VOLUNTEER POSITIONS ARE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY
Volunteer Opportunities
Kitchen: Meal Prep and Meal Serving
A good way to start volunteering at Coachella Valley Rescue Mission is by serving in the kitchen. We serve three meals a day, seven days a week. With the convenience of scheduling yourself at the reach of your fingertips, you can schedule yourself as frequently or infrequently as you would like!
Duties:
As a kitchen Volunteer, your duties include, but are not limited to:
*Food preparation
*Meal Service
*Light Kitchen Cleanup
*Team Collaboration
*Safety and Hygiene
*Orientation
*Following proper dress code
Qualifications:
* Stand for at least two hours
* Lift at least 10 pounds
* Be at least 12 years of age
* Under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult
Ready to to get started?
Step 1 – Read and agree to the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission’s Handbook.
Step 2 – Completely fill out and then submit the Volunteer Application.
Step 3 – Fill out the Background Consent Form
Step 4 – Attend one in-person session of the Mandatory Orientation (Every 2nd Wednesday at 9 am and 4th Wednesday at 2:00 pm at CVRM)
Step 5 – The Volunteer Coordinator will contact you with your next step. Once you have been approved you will receive login information permitting you to personally schedule yourself based on your availability.
Administration Front Desk Volunteering
You have the opportunity to be the first face someone sees when entering Coachella Valley Rescue Mission! Welcome and encourage each and every guest, answer the telephones help our visitors, receive donations, and perform a variety of other administrative tasks.
Front Desk Volunteer Opportunities are limited and subject to availability.
Duties:
*Answering phone calls
*Taking messages
*Directing calls to the appropriate person or department
*Greeting and welcoming visitors
*Collaborating with staff members and departments
Qualifications:
*Good communication skills
*Customer service skills
*Professionalism
*Organizational skills
*Computer and phone system skills
Ready to to get started?
Step 1 – Read and agree to the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission’s Handbook.
Step 2 – Completely fill out and then submit the Volunteer Application.
Step 3 – Fill out the Background Consent Form
Step 4 – Attend one in-person session of the Mandatory Orientation (Every 2nd Wednesday at 9 am and 4th Wednesday at 2 pm at CVRM)
Step 5 – The Volunteer Coordinator will contact you with your next step.
Maintenance
Maintenance volunteer work involves helping to keep buildings, equipment, and grounds in good condition. As a maintenance volunteer, you may be asked to perform tasks such as cleaning, painting, landscaping, and minor repairs. Your duties could include mowing lawns, trimming bushes, fixing leaky faucets, and replacing light bulbs. You might also assist with inspecting safety equipment and reporting any issues you find. Your role as a maintenance volunteer is crucial in ensuring that facilities are safe, clean, and welcoming for everyone who uses them.
Duties:
*Assist Facilities Manager with yard work, and light repair jobs in and around CVRM Campus
*Help with carpet shampooing
*Deep cleaning of the facility.
Qualifications:
* Ability to use power tools
* Painting skills a plus
* Ability to stand for at least 2 hours at a time
* Ability to lift at least 25 pounds and to perform strenuous activities
Ready to to get started?
Step 1 – Read and agree to the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission’s Handbook.
Step 2 – Completely fill out and then submit the Volunteer Application.
Step 3 – Fill out the Background Consent Form
Step 4 – Attend one in-person session of the Mandatory Orientation (Every 2nd Wednesday at 9 am and 4th Wednesday at 2 pm at CVRM)
Step 5 – The Volunteer Coordinator will contact you with your next step. Once you have been approved you will receive login information permitting you to personally schedule yourself based on your availability.
New LIFE Resale Boutique
Volunteering at the resale boutique is a fulfilling experience that allows you to give back to the community, connect with others, and make a positive impact through meaningful work. It’s a chance to be part of something larger than yourself and contribute to the well-being of others while having fun and learning along the way.
Duties:
*Sort and hang merchandise
*Greet and assist customers
*Handle customer inquiries
*Display merchandise on shelves and racks according to store layout and standards
*Organize and maintain the store to ensure it is clean and tidy
Qualifications:
* Ability to stand for at least an hour
* Ability to lift at least 10 pounds
* Courteous and willingness to serve the public
* Customer service skills
Please note: Our New LIFE Resale Boutiques are not authorized for Court Ordered Community Service.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES ARE LIMITED AND MAY BE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY
Ready to to get started?
Step 1 – Read and agree to the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission’s Handbook.
Step 2 – Completely fill out and then submit the Volunteer Application.
Step 3 – Fill out the Background Consent Form
Step 4 – Attend one in-person session of the Mandatory Orientation (Every 2nd Wednesday at 9 am and 4th Wednesday at 2 pm at CVRM)
Step 5 – The Volunteer Coordinator will contact you with your next step.
Interns
CVRM offers internship opportunities with a case management focus for students with a specialty in human services or related fields. As an intern, you will be involved in a range of responsibilities aimed at supporting individuals experiencing homelessness. As a case management intern, you may conduct intake assessments to understand clients’ backgrounds, challenges, and goals. You would collaborate with other professionals and agencies to coordinate services such as healthcare, employment assistance, and housing solutions.
Qualifications:
- Must be a student in human services
- Interns should demonstrate a genuine concern for the well-being of individuals experiencing homelessness and possess empathy and understanding.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills are essential for interacting with clients, colleagues, and external agencies. This includes active listening and the ability to convey information effectively.
- Sensitivity to diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences is crucial when working with a population that may have diverse needs and experiences.
- Interns often collaborate with shelter staff, other interns, and external service providers. The ability to work well in a team is important.
- Interns should adhere to ethical standards and maintain confidentiality in dealing with sensitive client information.
- Homeless shelters often operate in dynamic environments, and interns should be adaptable and able to handle unexpected situations.
- Familiarity with the causes and challenges associated with homelessness is beneficial, as it helps interns approach their work with a broader understanding of the context.
Requirements:
- Provide school requirements. – This will determine the eligibility of the intern into the program.
- Interview with the Program Manager
- Background Check
- Confidentiality Agreement
Volunteer Applications
Intern Application
Ready to to get started?
Step 1 – Read and agree to the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission’s Handbook.
Step 2 – Fill out and then submit the Volunteer Application
Step 3 – Fill out the Background Consent Form
Step 4 – Attend one in-person session of the Mandatory Orientation (Every 2nd Wednesday at 9 am and 4th Wednesday at 2 pm at CVRM)
Step 5 – The Volunteer Coordinator will contact you with your next step.
Instructor/Tutor
As an Instructor/Tutor Volunteer, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those we serve. This is a rewarding opportunity to contribute to our program’s success while fostering a sense of community and spiritual growth.
Qualifications:
- Passion for helping others
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Willingness to collaborate with diverse individuals
- Commitment to ongoing personal and spiritual development
Requirements:
- Interview with the Program Manager.
- Coordinate with the Program staff regarding student attendance.
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to the faith-based principles and values upheld by CVRM.
- Exhibit excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, to effectively convey spiritual teachings and educational content.
- Display empathy and compassion in working with individuals facing challenging circumstances, creating a supportive non-judgmental environment.
- Work collaboratively with shelter staff, volunteers, and residents to enhance the overall well-being of the shelter community.
- Adapt to the unique needs and dynamics of the environment, showing flexibility in scheduling and program implementations.
- Complete a background check as part of our commitment to ensuring a safe and secure environment for all shelter residents.
- Participate in any required training or orientation sessions to familiarize yourself with shelter policies and procedures.
Volunteer Applications
Tutorial And Instructor Application
Ready to to get started?
Step 1 – Read and agree to the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission’s Handbook.
Step 2 – Fill out and then submit the Volunteer Application
Step 3 – Fill out the Background Consent Form
Step 4 – Attend one in-person session of the Mandatory Orientation (Every 2nd Wednesday at 9 am and 4th Wednesday at 2 pm at CVRM)
Step 5 – The Volunteer Coordinator will contact you with your next step.
Mentor
To be a volunteer for one of the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission Program positions you must have the heart of a servant, have an inviting manner, and be an encourager.
The CVRM Fellowship/Mentor is a one-on-one relationship-building program. It is recommended that a minimum of one hour per week be set aside for interaction specific to the Fellowship/Mentor Application.
Mentors develop a positive, God-centered, relationship with a client who is participating in an intensive program of restoration. Mentors provide a strategic context for reminding individuals of God’s plan to restore their lives and for cheering progress toward their future.
The Mentor’s Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Develop a relationship with client that promotes hope for recovering a purpose-filled life.
- Support the client by listening and developing an ongoing, one-to-one relationship.
- Serve as a positive role model.
- Check in on client’s actions and progress toward their short and long-term goals.
- Reinforce a sense of self-responsibility with positive encouragement as individuals complete action items on their life plan.
- Support the client’s development of greater confidence, motivation, and self-esteem.
- Define appropriate boundaries for a supportive relationship in which the client can become more responsible.
- Meet weekly with clients.
- Help the client assimilate into a local church before transitioning out of formal mentoring relationship.
Qualifications:
- Mature follower of Christ
- Good one-on-one interpersonal skills
- Mentor/discipleship experience preferred
- Good listener
- Keen understanding of effective boundaries
- Understands the importance of supporting the client’s goal-directed activities
Volunteer Applications
Ready to to get started?
Step 1 – Read and agree to the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission’s Handbook.
Step 2 – Fill out and then submit the Volunteer Application
Step 3 – Fill out the Background Consent Form
Step 4 – Attend one in-person session of the Mandatory Orientation (Every 2nd Wednesday at 9 am and 4th Wednesday at 2 pm at CVRM)
Ministry
As a Ministry Volunteer, you will play a pivotal role in supporting and enriching the spiritual life of our community. This is an opportunity to contribute to the well-being of others and engage in meaningful service within a faith-based setting.
Qualifications:
- Faith Commitment
- Communication Skills
- Collaborative Spirit
- Empathy and Compassion
- Flexibility
Volunteer Applications
Ready to to get started?
Step 1 – Read and agree to the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission’s Handbook.
Step 2 – Fill out and then submit the Volunteer Application
Step 3 – Fill out the Background Consent Form
Step 4 – Attend one in-person session of the Mandatory Orientation (Every 2nd Wednesday at 9 am and 4th Wednesday at 2 pm at CVRM)
Group Service Day
Coachella Valley Rescue Mission is a place where the church group can work together to be of service to others.
For businesses, serving at CVRM provides a wonderful opportunity for employees to work together through a rewarding experience that is beneficial for the company, the employee and the entire community.
Duties, qualifications and number of volunteers will vary depending on the project. Participation in a group activity is subject to project availability.
The leader of the group must fill out the application and the names of the volunteers must be provided to the Volunteer Coordinator before your visit.
Ready to to get started?
Step 1 – Read and agree to the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission’s Handbook.
Step 2 – Fill out and then submit the Volunteer Application
Step 3 – Fill out the Background Consent Form
Step 4 – The leader must attend one session of the Mandatory Orientation (Every 2nd Wednesday at 9 am and 4th Wednesday at 2 pm at CVRM)
Holiday Meals / Special Events
Throughout the year, CVRM hosts several events to serve our community. Duties, qualifications, and availability will be subject to the event. Below are the descriptions of the annual events.
Coachella Valley Rescue Mission’s Annual Golf Tournament.
Join us to help organize the Annual Golf tournament the 3rd Monday in January. Click here for more information.
Independence Day Celebration
Coachella Valley Rescue Mission celebrates our veterans, firemen, and policemen every day but especially on the 4th of July. CVRM’s Independence Day Celebration includes a BBQ of hotdogs, hamburgers with all the trimmings. Click here for more information or to host a food drive.
Click Here for Food Drive Flyer
Easter Celebration
Sunday volunteers gather at CVRM to serve a traditional Easter ham dinner with all the trimming to some of the Coachella Valley’s neediest. These meals are served to more than 2,000 guests each year. We decorate the dining hall with candy fill plastic Easter eggs and CVRM gives away hundreds of Easter Baskets to the children who come for dinner. Click here for more information or to host a food drive.
Click Here for Easter Food/Easter Basket Drive Flyer
Thanksgiving Celebration
Wednesday through Sunday, Thanksgiving week, volunteers gather at CVRM to serve a special Thanksgiving Breakfast and a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimming to some of the Coachella Valley’s neediest. These meals are served to more than 2,000 guests each year. Click here for more information or to host a food drive.
Click Here for Food Drive Flyer
Annual Backpack Drive
Each year, the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission collects new backpacks and school supplies for distribution to local school children. We help over 3500 children each year. Click here for more information or to host a food drive.
Click Here for Backpack Flyer
Annual Toy Give-Away
Each year, Santa takes a break from his North Pole operations and comes to the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission and distributes donated gifts to 5,000 children ages 0-17 years of age. Click here for more information or to host a toy drive.
Click here to adopt a child or family for Christmas
Click Here for Toy Drive Flyer
Christmas Day Celebration
The Mission also hosts their traditional Christmas dinner, December 24th and a Christmas Morning breakfast. Click here for more information or to host a food drive
Click Here for Food Drive Flyer
Miscellaneous Drive Opportunities
Food Drives
CVRM welcomes donations of hams, meats and poultry, eggs, bacon and sausage, canned and fresh fruit and vegetables, butter/margarine, flavored drinks, breakfast cereals, condiments and toiletries. The Mission will coordinate pickups with groups who establish food drives.
This year, because unemployment is still high and many are out of work, CVRM expects over 8,000 families to seek assistance in providing food for their family. You, your church, Sunday school class, civic club, office staff, neighborhood association, or maybe just a group of friends, can make a lasting difference in someone’s life by reaching out to them when they are at their lowest point. All you have to do is have a canned food drive. These drives also help replenish our food shelves. Summer is the time of year we have more demand for food boxes. Unfortunately, summer is also the time of year that our donations are the lowest. Click here for more information or to host a food drive.
Click Here for Food Drive Flyer
Hygiene/Undergarment Drives
Coachella Valley Rescue Mission provides resources for more than 300 people every day! We are always in need of various items and focus a campaign on one major item per month:
January: Coats and Shoes
February: Underwear
March: Canned Food
April: Toiletries
May: Fill the Pantry with Canned Food
June: Bottled water for the summer
July: Backpacks and school supplies
August: Bottled water for the summer
September: Toiletries
October: Socks
November: Thanksgiving Turkeys and Trimmings
December: Toys
If you would like to help with or host a drive box in our community, CLICK HERE for more information.
Street Outreach
Are you passionate about making a difference in your community? As an outreach volunteer, you will engage with individuals experiencing homelessness, distribute essential resources, and advocate for our mission. This opportunity is for compassionate individuals dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of those in need.
Duties:
- Street Outreach: Engage with individuals living on the streets to provide information about our shelter’s services and offer support.
- Resource Distribution: Distribute essential items such as food, clothing, hygiene kits, and information about available resources to homeless individuals.
Requirement:
- Compassionate and empathetic attitude towards individuals experiencing homelessness.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work respectfully with individuals from diverse backgrounds and situations.
- Ability to stand and walk for long periods.
- Flexibility to adapt to various outreach environments and schedules.
- Willingness to adhere to organizational policies and procedures.
OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES ARE LIMITED AND MAY BE SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY
Ready to to get started?
Step 1 – Read and agree to the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission’s Handbook.
Step 2 – Fill out and then submit the Volunteer Application
Step 3 – Fill out the Background Consent Form
Step 4 – Attend one in-person session of the Mandatory Orientation (Every 2nd Wednesday at 9 am and 4th Wednesday at 2 pm at CVRM)
Ready to to get started?
Step 1 – Read and agree to the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission’s Handbook.
Step 2 – Completely fill out and then submit the Volunteer Application for your desired position in the drop-down menus above.
Step 3 – The Volunteer Coordinator will contact you with your next step. Once you have been approved you will receive login information permitting you to personally schedule yourself based on your availability.