Volunteerism is a cornerstone of SALT Outreach's mission to serve our neighbors experiencing homelessness. Whether your group is a college, church, corporate team, club, or even friends and family, we invite you to volunteer with us and make a meaningful impact. Each group shift helps ensure our comprehensive mobile drop-in center operates smoothly and efficiently, supporting a wide range of services for individuals in need.
How to Sign Up:
To schedule a group volunteer shift, click 'Respond' at the top right of the page or scroll below to view available shifts. Please let us know your group size when registering. Our maximum group capacity is 30 volunteers; if your group is larger than that, please email us in advance at volunteer@saltoutreach.org so we can make appropriate arrangements. Shifts are split into two sessions:
- Morning shift: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Afternoon shift: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Please sign up at least 24 hours in advance so we know how many volunteers to expect the next day. If your group has specific preferences for indoor-only tasks, please indicate this in the notes when you sign up, though we highly encourage outdoor tasks, as this is where the highest need often exists (e.g., shower operations). While shifts are typically 3 hours, we are flexible with your availability if you need to leave early. Let us know in the notes if you need to adjust your shift duration.
Orientation Details:
Orientation sessions begin promptly at 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM, followed by a tour of our drop-in center for new volunteers. We ask that you arrive on time to participate in the orientation, complete your training, and sign in for your volunteer shift.
Service Day Details & Overview of Volunteer Tasks:
Groups will be split into smaller teams to assist in various service areas. These may include:
- Showers: Welcoming guests while they wait for their shower, folding clean towels, and cleaning showers after each use. Help maintain the hygiene of our shower facilities and assist in guiding guests to their designated shower stall. This vital service provides dignity and cleanliness for our unsheltered clients.
- Laundry: Registering guests for this service, receiving & rotating laundry. Laundry services help clients maintain hygiene and self-esteem.
- Clothing Donations: Sorting and organizing clothing, hygiene items, and other donations. This ensures that essential items are available for distribution in a timely manner.
- Mail: Assisting with the collection, sorting, and distribution of mail for guests. This service is essential for helping individuals stay connected and access critical resources like legal notices, healthcare appointments, and job opportunities.
- Registration Support: Assisting SALT staff with guest registration and ensuring smooth check-in processes, including clothing and hygiene distribution. This includes helping guests access showers, laundry, case management, and other community resources.
We highly value the engagement between volunteers and our homebound clients. Active listening and respectful conversations can go a long way in helping our clients feel valued, empowered, and respected.
Parking Information:
Volunteers will need to utilize street parking, as space inside our gated lot is limited. Please contact us upon arrival by phone or email, and we will assist with entering. If your group will be carpooling and requires a day parking pass, please email us at least one week in advance.
- Phone for Parking Assistance: (407) 797-0683
Attire Recommendations for Safety and Comfort:
- Tops: Plain T-shirts or non-offensive graphic tees made of breathable fabrics.
- Bottoms: Knee-length or above-knee-length shorts, or loose breathable pants.
- Shoes: Closed-toe sneakers or shoes for safety.
- Jewelry: Limit large chains, hoop earrings, and excess rings.
Why Volunteer?
Volunteering with SALT Outreach gives your group the opportunity to make a direct impact on the lives of people experiencing homelessness. By offering your time and skills, you help us provide care, aid, and essential services to those who need them most. If your group has specific skills or talents that aren't covered by these tasks, we would love to hear from you! Please reach out to us via email, as we are always excited to coordinate community-building events for our unsheltered neighbors.
We thank you in advance for your generosity and commitment to serving the Orlando community. Together, we can create a supportive and compassionate environment for all.
With appreciation,
SALT Outreach
(Service And Love Together)
