Join the movement.
South Hills neighbors make the best volunteers. Last year, volunteers served more than 15,000 hours, but there’s more work to be done.
I wanted to give back to my community and to an organization that I knew added tremendous value to the refugee community in Pittsburgh. SHIM does so much wonderful work for our entire community. It’s neighbors helping neighbors, and I’m proud to be part of the work."
LejlaFor me personally, volunteering at SHIM has been one of the great blessings in my life."
WillJoin me in finding the time in your incredibly busy schedules to give back by volunteering. There is enough in the world to share with all, and our community needs us."
Mandy
We are powered by our volunteer team members, and most opportunities require a weekly scheduled commitment.
If you are looking for a shorter term opportunity, stay tuned to our Facebook page for volunteer events!
Volunteer opportunities – Immediate
- Provide students in grades K-5 with homework help, assist with daily programming
- Volunteer one or multiple days a week; Monday through Thursday, 4 – 6pm
- School year opportunity
- Plant, weed, maintain and harvest during the spring, summer and fall growing seasons.
- Gardening experience is helpful, but not necessary.
- Volunteers are needed at multiple locations from May through October.
- Driver’s assistant is needed from our Bethel Park location to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank.
- Volunteer must be able to load and unload bags and boxes of food, up to 40 lbs.
- Tasks include operating a pallet jack and truck liftgate.
- On-going, weekly opportunity
- Help deliver food to clients’ homes
- Volunteer one or multiple days a week; Tuesday through Thursday, times may vary by day, shifts are three hours
- Assist every other Thursday 4-6pm (great for after school) to help with pantry break down at the Bethel Park drive through distribution.
- Breaking down boxes for recycling
- Breaking down tables and tents
- Assisting with general clean-up
- Help middle and high school students with math, English, science and history.
- Volunteer one or multiple days a week; Monday through Friday, 3:30 – 5:30pm
- School year opportunity
Already a volunteer? Download the VicNet app to stay in touch with us! You can login to SHIM’s page here.
Volunteer opportunities – Ongoing
- Provide a weekly, confidential phone call to a local senior
- Volunteers for this program must be at least 50 years old
For more information, please contact:
- Sort and process clothing donations, stock clothing racks and manage clothing inventory
- Volunteer one or multiple days per week; Mondays 9am – 1pm
- Loading and unloading van of bags and boxes of food
- Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs.
- Dates and times are short notice, various locations, and TBD.
- Help three and four-year-olds with art projects, snack preparations and more.
- Volunteer as needed; Monday through Friday, 9 – 11am
- School year opportunity
- Pick up flower donations from local grocery stores.
- Arrange them in bouquets.
- Deliver them to local nursing homes.
- Help prepare and distribute food for food distributions
- On-going, weekly opportunities and substitute opportunities available
- All activities take place between 8am- 6:15pm (no evening hours)
- Load and stock bags and boxes at our food pantry locations
- Must be able to lift up to 40 lbs.
- Volunteer in three hour shifts, twice per month.
- Weigh incoming produce from community partners, pack and store donations for distribution
- Volunteers are needed on Tuesday afternoons starting at 1:30pm from June through October.
- Pick up trash on South Park Road.
- Events will take place on scheduled Saturdays in spring and summer.
- Keep SHIM shining clean.
- Provide a wide range of maintenance services (plumbing, electrical, general repairs and maintenance, painting, etc.)
- Serve as the “Face of SHIM” at the Bethel Park location.
- Greet and direct individuals to the appropriate staff person.
- Assist SHIM staff by answering the incoming phone calls, taking in daily donations of food and clothing.
- Computer literacy preferred but not required.
- Ability to climb stairs multiple times per shift is required.
- A 4-hour shift once or twice a week (8:30am to 12:30 pm or 12:30pm to 4:30pm)
- Gain on-the-job experience in management, special event planning, social services and more.
- To apply, contact our Volunteer Engagement Coordinator, at volunteers@shimcares.org.
- Be a role model for middle and high school students in a group setting, plan weekly activities and off-site field trips.
- Mentors must be 18 or older and complete mandated reporter training.
- Volunteer one or multiple days a week; Monday through Thursday, 6 – 8pm.
- Mentors spend at least 30 minutes each week planning activities with a co-mentor.
- School year opportunity.
Interested in volunteering with SHIM?
Please complete this short form. Don’t worry, your information will only be used for SHIM volunteer opportunities.
What to expect.
SHIM volunteers are required to complete an application, attend an orientation and have PA Criminal Background, PA Child Abuse clearance and FBI/Act153 waiver. We accept current clearances and provide access codes to acquire needed clearances as a volunteer. Please review what to expect during the volunteer orientation process.
Did you know?
Volunteering combats loneliness. The Campaign to End Loneliness says nearly 45% of people in the US admit to feeling lonely. The benefits of consistent socializing, like volunteering, include better brain function and lower risk for depression and anxiety.
