Volunteer

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

To protect the safety of our students, staff, and volunteers, we are slowing reopening our volunteer program with limited opportunities. If you are interested in volunteering with us, please fill out the application below. Our team will be in contact with you shortly as we unfold our reintegration plan. Thank you for your patience as we navigate this trying time!

Volunteers at the Mission are the most compassionate, warm, caring, and generous people in San Diego.

Donate Your Time Our volunteers provide valuable services to our students of Mission Academy and guests of Nueva Vida Haven. Whether serving a meal, assisting in the computer lab, organizing in-kind donations, or discipling students, each volunteer is a special part of the Rescue Mission Team. In return, they receive the satisfaction of knowing they are personally helping those experiencing homelessness create positive, lasting change in their lives.

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

Debbie Krakauer

To learn more about volunteering,
contact Debbie Krakauer at 619.819.1897 or

Group Opportunities

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

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.

Individual Opportunities

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 and complete the online application here.

Due to the large interest in our volunteer program, volunteer needs and opportunities change frequently. View current opportunities below:

Weekday Morning Breakfast
Serve a meal to the men, women and children experiencing homelessness first thing in the morning. Breakfast is from 5:15-6:30AM, and there’s no better way to start the day than by serving!
Volunteer Sound Assistant
Are you an active member of a local church with A/V experience? Do you have a passion for worship and the Word of God? Then you may be the perfect fit for our Volunteer Sound Assistant position!

Training will be provided to lead audio/visual for Mission-Wide events such as chapels on Sunday and Wednesday evenings, Alumni Dinners, Graduation Parties, and more! Experience preferred but not required if you have a willingness to learn and a passion to help people experiencing homelessness.