Get Involved

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Get Involved


Volunteer
The Homeless Program will be having a New Volunteer Training on
Tuesday, February 27 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at City Hall.

RSVP for the next Volunteer Training by emailing Rian Harkins at rian.harkins@shawneeok.org
or calling (405) 878-1665. 


The Homeless Program operates entirely by donations and volunteers. There are many ways for you, your group, or your organization to get involved! 
Together

VOLUNTEERVolunteer
Volunteers are the backbone of the Homeless Program!

Are you tired of volunteer opportunities where you are simply used as an extra set of hands? Do you want to feel like you’ve really made a difference?

Contribute your skills, strengths, and passion to the Shawnee Homeless Program, where we open doors for you to make a real impact in people’s lives and in the community by working towards ending homelessness. Join us in our mission to break down barriers, foster understanding, and create a world where homelessness is a thing of the past.

You can volunteer in a variety of areas with the Shawnee Homeless Program. Some of those areas are:
  • Street Outreach (Meeting people where they are.)
  • Homeless Resource Center (Connecting people with services to move them toward housing.)
  • Job Search (Help people create resumes, look for jobs, apply for jobs, and learn how to interview.)
  • Office/Administrative (Not a people person? Help with office duties like filing, writing letters, organizing, and researching.)
  • Care Management (One-on-one work that helps connect people with services to help move them toward housing.)
  • Fundraising (Hosting a fundraising event, seek donations, or find grants.)
  • Do your own thing (Good at art? Teach an art class! Cut hair? Use our barber chair! Handy? Fix bikes and cars!)

No matter your talent, you can impact people’s lives for the better.
For an application, please click here for a Volunteer Packet, contact Rian Harkins at rian.harkins@shawneeok.org, or pick up an application at the Homeless Resource Center (506 S. Beard).


 
MEALS
The Homeless Resource Center (HRC) provides lunch daily to people experiencing homelessness. Organizations, groups, Bible studies, and individuals can sign up to provide one meal a month (ex: every 3rd Tuesday).
Meals
Do it your way! Some groups like to get hands-on, preparing the meal, coming in to serve it, and taking time to interact with clients. Others prefer to make a meal and deliver it for the HRC staff to serve.  Then there are those with limited time, so they have pizza sent in.  Contact Sarah Inselman, Manager of the HRC, at 405-412-7061 to get on the meal schedule.
DONATE
Everything at the Homeless Resource Center (HRC) is provided by donations. How can you help? You can donate items, do a group project, organize a donation drive or event, and more! Donations can be dropped off at the Homeless Resource Center, located at 406 S. Beard, Monday-Thursday 1:00-4:00pm and Saturday 11:00am to 4:00pm.Donate
     






     Supplies.
A lot goes into running the Homeless Resource Center, including basic supplies that many don't even think about. We
     are always in need of:

          -Paper plates, bowls, plasticware
          -Paper towels
          -Toilet paper
          -Hand soap, dish soap
          -Cleaning supplies (Mr. Clean, sanitizing wipes, simple green, etc.)
          -Trash bags

     Clothing. We partner with Wesley United Methodist church for clothing needs. However, we do like to have the following in
     stock at the HRC.:

          -Men's & Women's T-shirts (all sizes)
          -Jeans, pants, sweatpants
          -Shoes, socks, good insoles
          -Sweatshirts, jackets
          -Belts
          -Bras
          -Rain ponchos
                         Our greatest need is NEW men's and women's underwear, sizes small, medium, and large.

           Please donate all other clothing items to Wesley United Methodist Church, located at 302 E. Independence.

     Food and drink.
          -Bottled water
          -Snack items (fruit, granola bars, crackers, chips, top ramen, etc.)
          -Water flavoring
          -Drinks of any kind

     Hygiene
          - Deodorant
          -Hairbrushes, combs, hair ties
          -Chapstick
          -Denture cream
          -Cotton balls, Q-tips
          -Lotion
          -Feminine products
          -Vaseline
          -Razors and shaving cream
          -Body wash
         
     Miscellaneous 
           -First Aid supplies (Band-Aids, Neosporin, ace bandages, etc.)
           -OTC meds (Benadryl, Tylenol, ibuprofen, cold meds, antacids, Imodium, cough drops, Orejel, etc.)
           -Foot Care items (clippers, foot powder, athlete's foot cream, etc.)
          -Reading glasses
          -Blankets and sleeping bags
          -Tents and tarps

     Pet Care
          -Dog food
          -Leashes, collars
          -Dog crates, bedding
          -Food bowls
          -Flea & Tick meds