Volunteer

Where to go

The physical address of THE BEACON homeless center is 1212 Prairie St, Houston TX 77002. However, as volunteers, you should come to the Christ Church Garage at 511 San Jacinto St, Houston, TX 77002. Just South, to the right of the entrance, to the garage is a walkway to Episcopal Diocese of Texas Diocesan Center where you will come to enter into the back of The Beacon homeless center. Students: You should come immediately to the center when your parents drop you off and stay inside until your parents arrive to pick you up.

What to wear

Jeans and a T-shirt. As volunteers at THE BEACON, you should dress in modest attire that is appropriate for the position you have volunteered. Volunteers should wear pants, closed-toed shoes and non-revealing clothing. An example of appropriate attire is athletic shoes, jeans, and a T-shirt. >>> For your safety, please do not bring personal belongings into the facility with you. Do not wear any expensive jewelry.

We count on you to be there

If you have signed up to volunteer, The Beacon center counts you to be there so that they can provide service to their clients in a timely manner. Arriving excessively early or late may create a situation where there is too much or not enough help in a particular area. >>> Please plan to arrive on time or a few minutes early so you can check-in. However, if you arrive more than 20 minutes early, you may be asked to wait until the shift begins to volunteer. If you arrive late, we cannot guarantee your assignment will still be available and you may be asked to reschedule for a different date.

What will you do

Your volunteer shift directly helps the poor and chronically homeless in Houston! Volunteers help with a variety of tasks each day. You may be assigned to prepare food, to serve food, to wash clothes, or to check-in the homeless clients. If at any time you do not enjoy your service please let a Beacon staff member know so you can be placed on a different assignment.

Minimum Age

The minimum age to volunteer is 13. Volunteers under the age of 16 must have an adult volunteer with them.

If you sign up in a group with confirmation students from Our Lady of Lourdes parish, the confirmation coordinator (thầy Dzũng) will arrange to have an adult to chaperone up to five students. If you sign up to volunteer as a student, please invite your parents to sign up as an adult chaperone for the same shift. If you are not driving, you must arrange for your own transportation to/from the Beacon center.

Scheduling

You do not have to sign up together as a group of confirmation students. You may sign up on your own for the shift that is convenient for you. It's easy to register and schedule your shift online at this link. Confirmation students under the age of 16 must have an adult volunteer with them. Usually your parents have to drive you to the center anyway, so ask your parents to accompany you to volunteer as well.

Questions?

Send a message to thầy Dzũng via Remind app.