At the beginning of each school year, Families Forward distributes backpacks filled with new school supplies to over 1,000 school-age children in our community. Children also receive new and gently-used clothing to start the new school year. Volunteers are needed to sort school supplies and clothing donations, fill backpacks, and distribute backpacks to the families.
Volunteers who are skilled at interior painting would go on an as-needed basis to our interim homes and work independently in the home to paint interior walls and hallways. Families Forward supplies the paint and supplies unless the volunteer is willing to donate both the materials and his/her services, and the volunteer is responsible for…
Each year, over 800 families are adopted through our Adopt-a-Family program, bringing joy to more than 2,200 children with special gifts for the holidays. Help prepare gift bags, distribute gift bags, host a toy drive, or adopt a family
New families who enter our Housing Program are just beginning their journey out of homelessness and toward a sustainable future. Regular and independent volunteer groups are needed to help prepare Families Forward’s homes for each new family.
The holidays are the busiest time of year for volunteering at Families Forward. Each year, nearly 900 families receive Thanksgiving Baskets. Opportunities include Thanksgiving Food Drives, basket preparations, basket distribution, and bilingual volunteers. For safety reasons, on-site volunteers must be at least 10 years of age.
Help support the needs of at-risk youth and families at Olive Crest with your own colleagues, friends, and family. Host an event for our families or youth, or engage in a work service project at an Olive Crest site.
Be a positive influence in the lives of at risk children by volunteering at monthly support groups to help provide a fun learning experience. Create activities, bring snacks, and read and play with at-risk children.
Olive Crest accepts a variety of in-kind donations throughout the year to help support our children and families. Donate your professional services to help Olive Crest build a better life for the at-risk population that we support.
Work alongside our Chaplain and help provide for the spiritual needs of our youth and families through encouragement, prayer, friendship, and sharing the grace found in God’s word. Consider leading Bible studies or spiritual discussions in a teen group home, being a prayer partner/counselor for parents, attending youth camps and special events, and taking foster…
Make a life-changing impact in the life of an at-risk youth by becoming a mentor. A successful mentor relationship improves a youth’s self-esteem, provides valuable experiences for youth to build lasting relationships, and affirms that there are people who genuinely care, and want to see all children and youth succeed.