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Current Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers play an essential role at Metrocrest Social Services in helping deliver programs and services that improve the lives of families
Agency Office
The Metrocrest Social Services agency is staffed by ten people but it takes much more than that to bring assistance to over 37,000 individuals. Currently volunteers are needed for the following
Thrift Store Product Merchandiser
Are you a closet fashonista? A Martha Stewart wannabe? The Metrocrest Thrift Store needs your sense of style to display clothing and household items, set up sales, and market seasonal and holiday merchandise. Four-hour shifts are available weekdays and weekends. Schedules are flexible.
Bilingual Front Desk Intake and Referral
Do you have an outgoing personality and enjoy meeting new people? Do you like the hustle-bustle of a busy office? Join us as a volunteer at our front desk, where you’ll greet clients, assist caseworkers and front-desk staff in setting up case files, and schedule appointments on our database. A semi-fluent command of Spanish and basic phone & computer skills are essential. This position calls for a regular weekly commitment of four hours; training is provided.
Employment Counselor
Share your knowledge of the workplace with our clients as they progress through the job-search process. Our Employment Counselors utilize print and on-line tools to help job seekers identify areas of interest, then research job leads, develop a written resume or apply on-line, and practice interview skills. Counselors also help identify barriers to employment and make referrals to training programs and other resources to make the job search successful. This position calls for a regular weekly commitment of four hours, and an initial training period with experienced employment volunteers will assure that you feel comfortable in this important volunteer role.
Group Volunteer Opportunities
During the year, we often have special projects that are perfect for groups such as Scouts, faith groups, and civic organizations. A group volunteer activity at Metrocrest Social Services can be a great team-building activity as well as a great way to help those less fortunate in our community. From staffing the food pantry to painting a wall in the Thrift Store, we want to work with your group to find a good volunteer project.
Groups of adult volunteers, or those ages 16–17 with supervision, can volunteer for special projects in the food pantry (maximum of 12 volunteers) or the thrift store (up to 20, depending upon the project). Groups of young people up to 15 years old may schedule a tour of the pantry; there may be special projects in the pantry as well (depending on timing and the age of the group).
For questions or to sign up your group, contact:
Nicole Newkham
Director of Volunteers &
Food Programs
972.446.2100 ext. 19
nnewkham@metrocrestsocialservices.org
Show Your Support by Volunteering
How You Can Help Us
In 2009, volunteers gave over 57,000 hours of service to our community.
Our volunteers are busy, successful people who dedicate their time to give back to their community in a big way. From helping clients select food items from the food pantry to organizing Thrift Store donations, extra hands are always needed and welcomed.
Individual Volunteer Opportunities
Food Pantry
The Metrocrest Social Services food pantry (and agency) is open 51 hours a week; on average, 21 families a day receive food items from our food pantry. That adds up to many volunteers needed on a daily basis. Our volunteers get the opportunity to sort donations, keep the shelves stocked, and assist clients with their food item selections.
The following is a suggested list of volunteer shifts:
Morning Shift: Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Afternoon Shift: Monday through Friday, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
To sign up, contact Nicole Newkham, Director of Volunteers and Food Programs at 972.446.2100 ext. 19 or nnewkham@metrocrestsocialservices.org.
Thrift Store
The Metrocrest Thrift Store plays a vital role in our community. The Thrift Store furnishes clothing and furniture at no cost to families facing emergencies. In addition, the revenues generated by Thrift Store sales of donated, gently-used items, supports the agency and its mission to serve families in need.
Volunteer opportunities abound at the Thrift Store. The store manager welcomes volunteers to help sort, display, and restock items at the Thrift Store. Thrift Store Hours of Operation: Tuesday through Saturday 10:00 a.m to 6 p.m.
To sign up to volunteer, contact the store manager at 972.418.1900 or email thriftstore@metrocrestsocialservices.org. In addition, check out these specific volunteer needs currently at Thrift Store:
Court-ordered Community Service Volunteers
Individuals with court-ordered community service requirements are welcomed to contact us for more information.
Metrocrest Social Services may be willing to work with probationers referred by the Volunteer Center’s Community Service Restitution department and Denton County Supervisions & Corrections, for probationers 18 years and older.
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All applicants must present the time card from their probation department or a non-returnable copy of their Conditions of Probation, along with a picture ID, before being considered for community service.
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Probationers who are clients of Metrocrest Social Services may not work community service hours at the agency.
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The staff of Metrocrest Social Services may, at their own discretion, decline to accept volunteers; may send volunteers home during a shift; and may refer volunteers elsewhere to complete hours.
PLEASE NOTE: Metrocrest Social Services does not accept those probationers who have ever been arrested and/or charged with the following offenses: sex offenses, harm or injury to a child or an elderly person, or aggravated offenses involving serious bodily injury.
Special Programs Volunteers
Throughout the year, we need volunteers during our special programs. Volunteers are what make our “special programs” special — programs such as school shoes and school supplies distribution in August, Thanksgiving food distribution in November, and holiday toy and food distribution in December. Both individual and group volunteers are needed to make these programs a success.
Back-to-School Program
Back-to-school time can be stressful for families who don’t make enough money to purchase groceries and pay the rent and can’t afford school shoes and supplies. These programs allow children to feel proud to walk into school that first day, filled with hope for a great school year!
Each year Metrocrest Social Services collects new school supplies for area children who cannot afford a new backpack or the supplies needed to start the school year off right. Volunteers are needed to help gather school supplies for each student as the families arrive for their appointment. Two-hour volunteer shifts are available.
Thanksgiving Program
The Thanksgiving Program utilizes food box packers in the weeks leading up to the holiday, and distribution volunteers on the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before Thanksgiving. This is a great opportunity for groups to make a difference during the holidays. Two hour shifts are available.
Click here for a list of dates and times available for November.
Holiday Program
In December, food packers are again needed along with Santa’s helpers, team leaders, shift supervisors, translators, dolly runners, and more for the preparation and distribution of food and gifts to families in our holiday program.
For a complete schedule of volunteer opportunities, to sign up, or for more information, contact Nicole Newkham at 972.446.2100 ext. 19 or nnewkham@metrocrestsocialservices.org.
Click here for a list of dates and times available for December.
Contact us at the following locations to discuss CSR opportunities at MSS.
Metrocrest Social Services
Food Pantry/Agency Offices
Nicole Newkham
972.446.2100 ext. 19
nnewkham@metrocrestsocialservices.org
Metrocrest Thrift Store
Open 5 days a week
Store Manager
972.418.1900 (no messages please)
thriftstore@metrocrestsocialservices.org