Volunteers at Oasis

Oasis for Youth appreciates our community members who wish to make a difference for our young people. Volunteers play a vital role, offering support, sharing expertise, and even saving staff time and dollars, which increase Oasis’ capacity to serve youth.

We have three levels of volunteering. Whether you can only commit to two hours one day or want to be involved every month, we welcome your help and expertise in making a difference for the youth we serve. We hope you’ll join our team of volunteers!

Group & One-Time Opportunities

Groups or one-time opportunities allow you to make a difference even if you have limited time to volunteer or want to volunteer as a group to make a tangible impact on our ability to help young people.

  • Once a month, On the 4th Friday of Each month- Oasis hosts a birthday party at our drop-in center, celebrating youth who have a birthday that month.  Your group can come as early as 2pm to begin preparing food, however, if there is minimal prep, you can simply come by 3pm to quickly set up for dinner to be served at 3:30. Depending on how many youth are around, we may begin cleaning up earlier than 5pm. 

  • Help with set up, tear down, and support for Oasis fundraising events (typically in June and September).

  • Coordinate a donation drive at your school, church, or employer. Please see our wish list for an inventory of needed items and information on how to drop off donations.

  • Plan a fundraiser to secure dollars for Oasis for Youth. Every dollar invested in Oasis is leveraged to help young people find housing, secure basic needs, and connect to positive supports.

  • Provide and prepare a meal for our young people.

Behind-the-scenes Volunteers

Individual behind-the-scenes opportunities allow you to bring your expertise and energy to expand Oasis’ impact in the community. If you enjoy planning events, coming up with creative communication pieces, or simply want to help us keep our fridge stocked, these opportunities free our staff’s time so we can focus on helping young people. 

  • Oasis relies on volunteers to plan and coordinate events and develop fundraising campaigns and communication strategies to raise awareness about Oasis. Committees typically meet monthly, and we require at least a six-month commitment.

  • If you are interested in joining our board, contact our Executive Director for more information:

    Jess Nelson: jnelson@oasisforyouth.org

Direct-Service Volunteers

Direct service volunteers make an incredible difference for the young people we serve. Because Oasis values the safety, confidentiality, and comfort of our youth, these opportunities require a greater level of commitment, an interview process, and specific training to prepare individuals for direct-service volunteering. Any volunteers at this level must be 21 years old or older.

  • Create a safe, warm, and welcoming atmosphere for the youth who visit the drop-in.

    Shifts are 1:45pm – 5pm; weekdays

    Cover at least two shifts per month

    Six-month commitment required

    Set up and close the drop-in center, which requires some light lifting and light cleaning

    Help youth with the use of laundry and computer facilities

  • Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 pm-4 pm are times youth can access VEAP (local food shelf) and need support with transportation to VEAP to receive barrier-free groceries. Another opportunity is going shopping at the grocery store to restock our fridge. Volunteering to pick up donations or shop for items saves staff time. Oasis can provide mileage reimbursement.

Opportunities involve working with minor youth, we screen and interview our volunteers to ensure our youth’s safety.

  • Attend an Oasis for Youth Volunteer Orientation

    Your submission of the volunteer application and required background check information; (since our resources are limited, we welcome a gift to help cover the background check fee)

    Staff review of your application and completion of background check

    You will be asked to participate in an interview with staff and youth

    Your selection as a direct volunteer will be based on the youth’s feedback

    Once selected, you will be sent commitment forms, provided an opportunity-specific orientation, and be asked to participate in required training

Sign-up Interest form: Please fill out the interest form below.

Forms for volunteering