Plymouth Housing Group

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Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer at Plymouth Housing Group to help provide permanent stable homes for our community’s homeless population. Click on one of the options below to read more information:

Become a Plymouth Housing Group Advocate
Essential Supply Center
Adopt-a-Building
Resident-Focused Events
Food Social
Creative Activity
Day of Beauty
Computer Training
Photographer
Special Fundraising Events

If you are interested in volunteer opportunities, please contact:
Diana Argeres, Community Outreach Manager
Tel: 206-374-9409, ext. 146
Email: volunteer@plymouthhousing.org

Volunteers help residents in many ways

Volunteering at Plymouth Housing Group provides the opportunity to help Plymouth residents develop community connections and friendships. The skill-building, mentoring and social interaction that occurs through our volunteer program contributes to residents’ confidence and helps keep them stabilized in permanent housing.

Plymouth provides housing for the most challenged long-term homeless people in our community—those with one or more disabilities such as mental illness, medical conditions, physical disabilities, AIDS, or alcohol/chemical dependency issues. At Plymouth we believe that providing permanent housing is only part of the solution to ending homelessness—we also provide the services and support that keep residents safe and stable.

Residents are primarily male—30% of the population are women—and they come from all ethnic and educational backgrounds. Approximately 27% are over 55 and 8% are military service veterans. Plymouth’s community serves almost 1,000 individuals in 11 buildings.

3 Ways to Become a Plymouth Advocate
• Learn all you can about the plight of Seattle's homeless.
• Demand that your legislators and other elected officials keep the interests of our most vulnerable citizens in mind.
• Tell your friends and colleagues about the work of PHG and encourage them to get involved.

Plymouth's Essential Supply Center
including Carl's Tenant Supply Closet
Organize a supply drive yourself or among friends, family, or coworkers to gather household items to donate to Plymouth’s residents. Plymouth's Essential Supply Center is a place where Plymouth’s formerly homeless residents can come to obtain essential items they might not otherwise be able to afford.

All of Plymouth’s residents are very-low income—the majority of them make less than $7,500 per year—and each month many have a hard time making ends meet.

Please consider making a donation to Plymouth’s Essential Supply Center. Non-perishable foods and personal care items provide short-term relief to our residents in temporary crisis. Donations help Plymouth maintain the health of these residents that can be compromised by poor nutrition and hygiene. Print this list for your supply drive.

Non-Perishable Food Items
Canned meats (tuna, chicken, etc)
Boxed meals (Hamburger Helper, Rice-A-Roni, etc)
Canned soup
Canned fruits & vegetables
Pasta & pasta sauce
Canned beans
Peanut butter, jam, & jelly
Dry milk, condensed milk, Ensure
Rice
Bread mixes (Bisquick, etc)
Crackers

Personal Care Items
Toothbrushes & toothpaste
Dental floss
Soaps & shampoo
Lotion
Deodorant
Hair brushes & combs
Razors
Toilet paper

Cleaning Supplies
Laundry detergent
Dish soap & surface cleaners
Sponges & scrubbing brushes
Small trash cans

Linens
Twin sheets & pillow cases
Pillows (new preferred)
Blankets or comforters
Twin mattress covers
Bath towels & dish towels

Kitchenware
Pots & pans
Dishes
Forks, knives & spoons
Mugs & glasses
Can openers
Cooking utensils
Cutting boards
Toasters & toaster ovens
Coffee makers
Tupperware with lids
Plastic wrap, foil & ziplock bags
Paper napkins & paper towels

Other
Flashlights & batteries
First Aid kits
Laundry baskets
Throw rugs
Clocks & radios
Backpacks

Due to prioritized needs & limited space, we must decline the following items:
Furniture & mattresses
Clothing
Children’s items
Computers, Televisions & DVD players

Donations can be delivered to our Simons Apartments
located at 2119 3rd Avenue, 98121 in Belltown. Contact 206-374-9409, ext. 146
or email volunteer@plymouthhousing.org with questions.

Adopt-a-Building

"Watching one of the resident's interactions with others reminds me that as human beings we need not just a roof over our heads but a real home--which means also having a community..."

Becki Snellenberg, Volunteer
Mercer Island Presbyterian Church

Organizations or groups can “adopt” a building where volunteers provide regular activities and programs for residents. Because Plymouth residents lived for many years on the streets or in shelters, they have often broken connections with friends and family. The main goal of the adopt-a-building program is to provide community and friendship—reconnecting residents to society and giving them social opportunities on a consistent basis.

Adopt-a-Building activity ideas include making monthly meals, quarterly game nights, classes or workshops, holiday gift drives, or social outings. Our residents enjoy opportunities to learn new skills, eat together or just visit with new people. Not all residents are social, but many willingly engage with volunteers who show a sincere interest in getting to know them.

The Adopt-a-Building program is appropriate for groups ranging from 8 to 12 members with a time commitment of at least 2 to 3 hours per month for at least one year. Please email volunteer@plymouthhousing.org for more information.

Resident-Focused Events: Day-of and/or Beforehand
Help with Thanksgiving meals, Holiday Party, or Plymouth’s annual picnic. Volunteer duties vary from donating food, transporting food and other donated goods, preparing meals, setting up, cleaning up and organizing games, activities, or providing entertainment.

Food Social

"Any contribution we make to Plymouth that enables them to continue providing housing and other services for...people who have been living on the streets of Seattle, gives us satisfaction knowing we were able to help make a difference."

Vince Iaci, Volunteer
The Mt. Baker Boys

Arrange and conduct a social event in any of Plymouth’s buildings. Bring food or baked goods for a social hour where resident interaction is the focus. You will help promote a sense of community in the building and create a healthy setting for social activities.

Organize a small group of volunteers for a social hour, the time commitment is 2 to 3 hours per activity including set-up and clean-up. Email volunteer@plymouthhousing.org to organize this activity.

Creative Activity yarn
Lead a creative activity in any of Plymouth’s buildings. Use your talents and supplies for a specific project. Residents will learn a new skill, technique, or hobby, or will have the opportunity to be refreshed on something they enjoyed in the past.

Time commitment per activity is 2 to 3 hours including set-up and clean-up. Please email volunteer@plymouthhousing.org to coordinate your activity.

Day of Beauty
Host a “Day of Beauty” in one of Plymouth’s buildings! Use your talents and supplies for haircuts, manicures, pedicures, etc. Residents will appreciate the attention and uplifting activity. (Volunteers must possess specialized skills in an area of cosmetology.) To host one of these special days, please email volunteer@plymouthhousing.org.

Computer Training
Mentor and encourage residents as they learn to operate a computer or cruise the internet. Teach general tips on computer usage, fundamental word processing skills, or internet use. (Trainers must have ability to teach basic computer skills to those who have no previous experience on computers.)

One trainer is needed per 1 to 1.5 hours training session. Please email volunteer@plymouthhousing.org to get involved.

Photographer
Plymouth holds various fundraising and non-fundraising events, informational meetings, etc. Frequently a photographer is needed to document these events. Are you an experienced photographer? Would you like to occasionally volunteer your time as a photographer? If so, this is the volunteer opportunity for you. Please email volunteer@plymouthhousing.org.

Special Fundraising Events: Day-of and/or Beforehand
Plymouth plans several fundraising events throughout the year. To prepare for these events, we often need help for a few hours at a time during normal business hours to assemble invites, event items, mailings, etc. We may also need volunteer day-of help at an event. Do you enjoy details of event planning and preparation? If so, email volunteer@plymouthhousing.org.

If you are interested in volunteer opportunities, please contact:
Diana Argeres, Community Outreach Manager
Tel: 206-374-9409, ext. 146
Email: volunteer@plymouthhousing.org