Volunteer

View our available volunteer opportunities to see where you can help.

Volunteers at the San Diego Rescue Mission are some of the warmest, kindest, most generous people we know.

Donate Your Time Our volunteers provide valuable services to our clients. In return they receive the satisfaction of knowing they are personally helping homeless and poor people create positive, lasting change in their lives.

Please note that we are unable at this time to work with court-mandated volunteers.

Due to insurance restrictions, volunteers must be age 16 and older. Are you part of a youth group under this age? We welcome your help with donation drives for urgently needed material items and are very happy to provide a tour of the Mission so you can find out more about our work.

Debbie Krakauer

To learn more about volunteering,
contact Debbie Krakauer at 619.819.1897 or dkrakauer@sdrescue.org

Group Projects

Here are more ideas for your group

Groups (corporate, church, school and others) are always welcome to help with our meal service, assisting in the warehouse, and helping with special events. Please call 619.819.1897 for other ideas or to schedule a specific date.

Groups of no more than 5 are welcome to serve lunch or dinner here on site.
Larger groups can schedule weekday morning shifts in our warehouse. Group size of no more than 8, please

Not able to start volunteering immediately? Host a Drive (Urgent Needs, Food, or Hygiene Kits): 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 here at the Mission.

Volunteer Process for Individuals

All volunteers, with the exception of those participating in a special event or one-time group volunteer opportunity MUST submit an application and go through an on-line background check process at an $18 cost to the individual. View the application here. Volunteers will then be invited to attend an orientation. Orientations will be held on the 3rd Wednesday of the month. All sessions are from 5:00-6:30PM and space MUST be reserved ahead of time. For non-food service opportunities we ask a 3-6 month commitment, interview, orientation, application and background check. Please call the Volunteer Coordinator to start the process.

Due to the large interest in our volunteer program, volunteer needs and opportunities change monthly and may include:

Outreach Help for Holiday Dinners - November 17 and December 15
Volunteers needed to help with outreach for our early holiday meals on November 17 and December 15. Arrive at the Rescue Mission at 8:30AM for a quick training and then divide up in groups to walk the streets and invite the homeless to the meal later that day. The shift is 8:30AM – 10:30AM. Great for individuals, families or groups!

Contact Debbie, dkrakauer@sdrescue.org or 619.819.1897 for more information or to sign up.
Preschool
1. Morning M & F 7:00am -8:30am escort parents to and from the classroom and help with preschool laundry

2. Afternoon M 2:45-4:00. Escort parents to and from the classroom
Mentors for our Children – Mentor Monday
Mentor Mondays are set up so that volunteers are paired with a child and mentor one-two hours (their choice) every week. Six month commitment preferred. The children participating in the program currently are 5, 6, and 7. Pre-K also possible. Homework and other activities.
Children’s Market
Tuesday volunteer- sorting and putting away items. Daytime hours.
Residential Intern
Cleaning, sorting, shredding, filling janitor closet and wellness suite, etc.
Meal service - Haven of Hope and Transitional Housing
Breakfast 6:15-7:45AM – Monday, Wednesday, Friday or Saturday
Nueva Vida Haven
Assist women in our linen closet. Thursday – Sunday evenings from 7:15-8:30PM
Spiritual Care Department
Volunteers to work with our Spiritual Care Department and provide 1 to 1 discipleship to the men and women living here in year-long programs. Minimum 6 month commitment. Curriculum and training provided.
Thrift Store Volunters
Selling new and gently used items to the community helps fund life – changing programs at San Diego Rescue Mission. Help us keep the stores in a welcoming, inviting state for customers!

We need help with the following:
- Helping customers shop
- Colorizing and Sizing all clothing racks
- Organizing items that get out of place
- Merchandising assistance
- Painting
- Creating and Printing signs for displays
- Carpet Cleaning – Window cleaning – Painting
Long term opportunities for individuals available and also one-time opportunities for groups. Volunteer hours available Monday – Saturdays 10AM – 5PM.
Volunteers needed in our City Heights Warehouse
We need people to assist us in any of the following activities:
- Pricing housewares, electronics & other misc. items from a pricing chart.
- Sorting and hanging clothing
- Furniture repair / refinishing / cleaning and sanitizing & teaching these skills to our clients
- Cleaning and Painting
- Landscaping – Fence repair
- Tree trimming
We are open for volunteers on Tuesdays and Thursdays any time from 8:30 am – 3:00 pm.
Great project for work teams / Schools / Churches / Businesses. Opportunities also available Thursdays in 3 hours shifts between 9:00AM – 2:00PM. Teen groups welcome with minimum age of 16 and one adult per five teens.
Recuperative Care Unit
Dinner help weekdays at 4PM.
Women’s Transitional Housing
Help with dinner service daily 4:45-5:45

Stay in touch with San Diego Rescue Mission

Get updates on client stories, initiatives and events at the Mission