We Need Volunteers Like You!
Volunteers at the Rescue Mission are the most compassionate & caring people in San Diego!
Each volunteer is a special part of our Rescue Mission team, who help serve others in so many ways:
- Serving meals
- Packing food
- Organizing clothes & in-kind donations
- Helping students prepare for job interviews
- Praying for our staff and students
- And more!
Please note that we are unable to work with court-mandated volunteers at this time.
Individual Volunteer Opportunities
We greatly appreciate volunteers who can commit to serving on a consistent basis.
Volunteers working one-on-one with students and guests must complete an online background check, at a cost of $18 to the individual.
Help make a difference in our community. Each day we give out 8,000-10,000 pounds of food to churches and non-profit organizations who then feed the homeless and families in need.
Helpers are needed to organize the food and load the vehicles Monday-Friday from 10am to 1pm.
For more information, contact our Volunteer Engagement Coordinator.
Our new outreach initiative, Walk With Me, is looking for individuals to be trained to walk alongside a man or woman experiencing homelessness as a friend for an extended period of time. Learn more here.
Group Volunteer Opportunities
As a local business, you know the value of investing in our community. When you partner with us, you help change lives and create a better place to live and work. Find out how you can get involved and be part of the solution to end homelessness and hunger. Learn more.
Learn how teaming up with us can provide your church with practical ways to live and love like Jesus and bring about lasting change in the lives of our vulnerable neighbors. And, let us equip you to be the change in your own communities! Become a partner
Remote Opportunities
You, your family, or your group can be a blessing right where you’re at. This is a perfect way to get your family members involved. Here are some ways to serve from home or your place of business.
Write encouragement cards for our guests in Nueva Vida Haven, our emergency shelter for women and children. Our goal is to leave a note on their beds every night! See instructions here.
Collect essential items for our “I See You” hygiene kits and/or assemble them for us or hand out to our neighbors in need! See list of needed items and instructions here. For tips on handing out I See You Kits to neighbors on the street, view these instructions.
Not able to start volunteering immediately? Host a Drive
You can hold a drive and collect needed items at your school, church, place of employment, community center, or neighborhoods – it’s an easy and very significant way to support the Rescue Mission! Thank you for doing your part to help the men, women and children.
Or purchase directly from our Amazon Urgent Needs list here and have the items shipped directly to our facility on 120 Elm Street | San Diego, CA 92101
