Volunteer Needs

Volunteers are key to the success InnVision achieves along each client's journey to a lifestyle of self-sufficiency.  Your time and skills, offered in volunteer service, supplement InnVision efforts to empower homeless and at-risk families and individuals in finding...the way home!  Our very much-appreciated volunteers serve over 25,000 hours each year, a cost-of-business savings of over $500,000 annually.

There are opportunities for you or your group to volunteer in both the South Bay and Peninsula Programs to support InnVision today, and make a difference in the life of a man, woman, or child in need.  There are a variety of opportunities available for you to serve at an InnVision Inn or MultiService Center in San Jose, Palo Alto, or Menlo Park:

Click here for a current list of current Volunteer Opportunity openings.

Click here for a current list of Group Volunteer Donation Drives & Projects, or here to fill out a Group Registration Form.  If you have minors participating in your group project please have a signed Parent/Guardian Permission form for each of them.

See an opportunity just right for your skill set?  Get started here with our Online Application.  If you are a minor, please fill out, print, have signed, & return to us a Parent/Guardian Permission form.

For further information on volunteer opportunities, please contact Jaynie Neveras, Community Relations/Events Manager at JNeveras@InnVision.org or 408-213-5186, 408-271-0826 (f).

Food Service Opportunities

FS Warehouse Support*
Help with Inventory , Cleaning ,organizing and placing away donation.Must be able to lift 25 pounds.
Kitchen Support (individual)
Help cook with cleaning and organizing as needed. Set up, tear down, some food preparation as directed by Cook. Shifts are approximately 2-3 hours with a minimum commitment of 2 months. Shifts are available 7 days a week, 3 shifts/day.
Meal Provider/Server
Bring in a Prepared a meal. Take the opportunity to serve the meal you have prepared to our clients. Shifts available Mon-Fri, 3 shifts/day.
Kitchen Support Team (Prepare a meal a team of 3 to 4 persons)
Prepare a meal with InnVision materials. Take the opportunity to serve the meal you have prepared to our clients. Shifts available Mon-Fri, 3 shifts/day.
Meal Greeter
Greet meal providers, kitchen & set-up crews. Help unload incoming food donations, help set-up, report to program manager. Shifts available Mon-Fri, 2-4 pm with a minimum 3 month commitment.
Host a Meal - Meal Provider
Financially sponsor or provide meal ingredients at one of InnVision's programs for the homeless (especially appropriate for groups with ability to collect funds or solicit food donations). Meal provider may choose to prepare & serve the meal as well. Opportunities available in both the South Bay & mid-Peninsula, seven days a week.

Instructional/Training Opportunities

Childcare Assistant*
Assist Childcare Supervisor, provide quality, loving care to the pre-school aged children attending one of our children's programs at an InnVision MultiService Center. Shifts available Mon - Fri, daytime & evenings.
After-School Tutor*
Help children with homework. Create activities for younger children. Shifts available Mon - Fri, generally from 4:00 - 8:30.
ESL Instructor
Teach English to a small classroom of Spanish speaking clients.
Computer Lab Monitor*
Provide one-on-one assistance in Resume writing, Microsoft Word & Excel, along with other basic computer skills.  Bilingual Spanish/English not required, but helpful.  Shifts available Mon - Fri, daytime & evenings at various InnVision locations, limited openings, requires a 3-month commitment.
Computer Skills Instructor/Trainer
Teach basic computer skills and use of Microsoft Word & Excel to a small group.  Bilingual Spanish/English not required, but helpful. 
Job/Skills Trainer
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Job Search Coach
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Workshop Host
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Program Support Opportunities

Donation Depot Assistant
Organize and assist Supervisor or Program Manager with donation management, arrange floor merchandise. Shifts available Mon - Fri (flexible) 10am - 12pm, 12:30 - 4pm.
Donation Depot Supervisor
Supervise volunteer staff with donation management and distribution to client. Assist Program Manager. Shifts available (flexible) Mon - Fri (flexible), 10am - 12pm, 12:30 - 4pm.
Delivery Driver
Pick up/deliver food donations from local stores, restaurants, and corporations. Must have California class B license and be insurable. Various shifts available.
Palo Alto Food Closet
Distribute food to clients.  Shifts by arrangement through volunteer coordinator.
Program Assistant*
Assist Program Manager. Program needs may include front desk registration/reception tasks, prep for/clean-up after meal service, accept/distribute food donations.  Flexible shifts available within program schedule. 
Program Office Support
Tasks may include updating program calendars, filing, data entry, and mailings support.  Shifts are available Mon - Fri, daytime, and require a minimum commitment of 3 months.
Warehouse Management
Manage the receiving & stocking of food donations at the main food warehouse. This task can accommodate your volunteer/outreach group. Shifts by arrangement, please contact volunteer coordinator.

Maintenance Support Opportunities

Building Maintenance
Assist Facilities Manager with building maintenance tasks from changing light bulbs to upgrading light fixtures.
Janitorial Assistance
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Landscaping
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Painting/Cleaning/Yard work
Provide assistance with interior/exterior painting , cleaning, or yard work projects.  Projects available year round.  Great weekend project for outreach/group volunteer organizations.

Seasonal Programs Opportunities

Holiday Helper
Assist with gift collection and distribution Holiday Donation Program. Shifts available November - January, specific dates TBD.
Summer Camp Counselor
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Administrative Support Opportunities

Data Entry
Support an administrative department or program office with data entry using a variety of computer applications.  Training provided.  Shifts available Mon - Fri, business hours.
Front Desk/Receptionist
Support Front Desk/Reception area at an administrative or program office. Tasks may include but are not limited to: answering phone, data entry, stuffing envelopes, prep for/clean-up after meal service... Shifts available 7 days a week, varying hours.
Graphic Artist
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Office/Clerical Assistant
Assist InnVision Administrative Management with clerical tasks: filing, sorting, verifying information, data entry, proofreading, ... Shifts available Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm.
Public Relations Assistant
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Group Volunteer Opportunities/Projects

Adopt-an-Inn
"Adopt" a room or some portion of an InnVision Inn.  Provide periodic painting, light maintenance, & spring cleaning.
Donation Drive
Donated items go directly to InnVision clients free of charge.  It is not uncommon for an individual or family to arrive at our facility with just the clothing on their backs.  Our goal is to provide an environment that improves self worth, and this includes offering a fresh set of clothes, new socks and underclothes, as well as a towel & toiletries.  Hosting a donation drive to collect needed items is a great way to support InnVision clients.  Your group can target to collect a variety of new or gently-used items or help us keep food warehouse shelves stocked by hosting a food drive.  Click here for Donation Drive Ideas and to fill out the Group Registration Form.
Donation Warehouse Management
Donation locations are dependent upon volunteers - our space is limited making regular sorting & storing a necessity.  Manage & distribute donations to clients. Projects can accommodate groups up to 25 people.   Shifts available Mon - Fri, 11am - 4:30pm.
Host Fund Raiser Event
InnVision plans fund raising events through the year.  How your group can help:
Host a Meal - Meal Provider
Financially sponsor or provide meal ingredients at one of InnVision's programs for the homeless (especially appropriate for groups with ability to collect funds or solicit food donations).  Meal provider may choose to prepare & serve the meal as well.   Opportunities available in both the South Bay & mid-Peninsula, seven days a week.
Kitchen Crew
Provide support maintaining program kitchen or food distribution warehouse.
Painting / Cleaning / Yard work
Provide labor for a one-time project painting, cleaning, and/or yard work.   Projects can be scheduled throughout the year. Great weekend project!
Produce Market @ Georgia Travis Center in San Jose
Help register clients and distribute free fresh produce. Fourth Thursday each month from 9:30am - 2:30pm.
Vision Outreach
Church groups and/or youth groups can participate in a meal program by preparing & serving at a local shelter in the South bay or on the mid-Peninsula.  Food can be prepared in an InnVision kitchen or the church's kitchen.

Please contact Jaynie Neveras, Community Relations/Events Manager, JNeveras@InnVision.org or 408-213-5186, to ask how your group can get involved in supporting InnVision programs.