My first experience with volunteering for the homeless came when I was young. Raised Catholic, my mother instilled in me the value of giving back. Coming from a lower middle-class family, she understood struggle firsthand and made it a priority to help others. She involved my brother and me in her charitable efforts, and one of my earliest memories of volunteering was serving food to migrant workers.
If you’re unfamiliar, migrant workers often leave their home countries to seek work, sacrificing time with their families just to provide for them. It’s a level of dedication that has always stuck with me. I admired my mother’s selflessness—giving away the little extra she had to help others.
The Personal Struggle of Giving Back
While volunteering for the homeless is incredibly fulfilling, it can also leave you with a lingering feeling that you’re not doing enough. My mother struggled with this, and so did I. No matter how much we gave, the need always seemed greater. That’s why, years later, I made a commitment to get involved again.
There are countless ways to help those in need, and they don’t always require formal volunteering. Simple acts of kindness—acknowledging someone’s existence, offering a meal, or supporting organizations dedicated to helping the homeless—can make a difference.
My Journey Back Into Volunteering for the Homeless
Every Sunday, I serve lunch at Hesed House in Aurora. This experience reminds me of my childhood volunteering days. Many shelter residents have jobs but still struggle to secure permanent housing. Others have been there for years, trapped in a cycle that’s difficult to break.
I love volunteering for the homeless, but I started feeling like I could do more. With limited availability, Sundays were my only consistent day to serve. So, I reached out to Wayside Cross Ministries, another local shelter, to offer my time as a mentor.
Given my experience with emotional trauma, I wanted to help those struggling by sharing the skills I developed to overcome my own challenges. The program director initially seemed open to it, but then I received a response that shocked me.
When Volunteer Efforts Are Rejected
The shelter required mentors to be affiliated with a Christian church, believing it was essential for guiding individuals in their recovery. While I respect faith-based organizations, their refusal to accept outside volunteers like me made it clear that their focus was on religious conversion over rehabilitation.
This moment was eye-opening. I realized that institutions—whether religious or governmental—often prioritize their own interests over real solutions for homelessness. Instead of providing unconditional support, they create barriers that prevent willing volunteers from making an impact.
Why We Can’t Rely on Institutions to End Homelessness
Both churches and governments have the wealth and power to end homelessness, yet they don’t. They thrive on dependency, keeping people in survival mode rather than truly helping them achieve independence.
This is why grassroots efforts and individual action matter. We, as everyday people, have the ability to create real change by supporting those in need—directly and without conditions. Volunteering for the homeless isn’t just about giving food or shelter; it’s about empowering people to rebuild their lives.
How You Can Get Involved
If you’ve ever considered volunteering for the homeless, here are a few ways to start:
- Find a local shelter – Many homeless shelters need help with serving meals, organizing donations, and offering mentorship.
- Support Housing First initiatives – These programs focus on securing permanent housing before addressing other challenges.
- Engage with people experiencing homelessness – A simple conversation can remind someone that they are seen, heard, and valued.
- Donate to organizations that prioritize real solutions – Avoid groups that place conditions on assistance.
- Advocate for better policies – Use your voice to support systemic changes that address homelessness at its core.
A Mission to Empower, Not Control
This is exactly why I started Cherry Willow Apparel—to empower people experiencing homelessness instead of forcing them into broken systems. Every purchase supports our mission to create real solutions for homelessness, and every shared story brings us one step closer to change.
I encourage you to take action. Share this blog, talk to someone experiencing homelessness, and get involved in any way you can. Together, through volunteering for the homeless and community-driven initiatives, we can create a future where no one is left behind.
