Opportunities From: United Way of Kaw Valley

Volunteer: Prepare and Maintenance Volunteer

At Family Promise of Lawrence (FPL), we believe that every family deserves a safe, welcoming space to land while working toward housing stability. That’s why we’re inviting volunteers to join our Repair and Renew team—a hands-on opportunity to make a lasting impact on the spaces where families heal, grow, and rebuild.

Goal: To help staff provide a safe, organized, and welcoming environment to all who visit our offices.

Outcome: By supporting the upkeep and organization of shared spaces—both indoors and outdoors—volunteers will directly reduce the time staff spend on logistical tasks, allowing them to focus more fully on serving families in crisis. This support is especially impactful for the case management team, whose work is often emotionally and administratively demanding. A well-maintained environment not only improves efficiency but also communicates dignity and care to every family who walks through our doors.

Responsibilities/Duties:

Cleaning and preparing homes between family transitions.Painting and minor repairs.Outdoor maintenance such as trash pickup, weeding, and leaf raking.Snow removal on walkways.

Qualifications/Education/Skills:

Required:

Willingness to support families in crisis through hands-on service and care for shared spaces.Ability to perform physical tasks such as lifting (up to 75 lbs.), bending, walking, climbing stairs, and working outdoors in varied weather.Reliability and punctuality—shows up ready to contribute and communicates clearly if plans change.Respect for privacy, safety, and the dignity of families and staff.Ability to work independently or as part of a team, following guidance from staff and supervisors.

Preferred but not required:

Experience with basic home maintenance, painting, or landscaping.Familiarity with tools and safety practices (training provided).Comfort navigating transitional spaces with sensitivity and care.Interest in community service, housing justice, or volunteerism

Physical and Emotional Demands:

This role may require lifting and carrying up to 75 lbs., walking, stair climbing, bending, stretching, and working outdoors in varied weather. Tasks may include painting, minor repairs, and snow removal. Emotional demands include working in transitional spaces and observing signs of family crisis. Volunteers are expected to approach each space with respect and care

Agency: Family Promise Of Lawrence

Responsibilities/Duties:

Cleaning and preparing homes between family transitions.Painting and minor repairs.Outdoor maintenance such as trash pickup, weeding, and leaf raking.Snow removal on walkways.

Qualifications/Education/Skills:

Required:

Preferred but not required:

Physical and Emotional Demands:

Agency: Family Promise Of Lawrence

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 66044

Allow Groups: Yes

Volunteer: Meal & Hospitality Group Volunteers - Mt. Hope Shelter

Create a welcoming evening for families experiencing homelessness

Meal & Hospitality Volunteers help provide a warm, reliable dinner and a sense of community for families staying at our Mt. Hope shelter. Each evening includes up to 24 individuals, with at least half being children and teens, so volunteers play a meaningful role in creating a calm, friendly space at the end of the day.

This is a great opportunity for individuals, pairs, friend groups, families, and small service teams.

What You’ll Do

Prepare or purchase a meal that includes a main dish and a side (dessert optional) Plan for up to 24 people (depending on how many are in the shelter), keeping in mind that many are youth Arrive between 5:30–5:45 p.m. Set up dinner buffet‑style Eat with families and offer light hospitality (conversation, card games, interacting with kids in common areas) Help with basic clean‑up before leaving around 7:30 - 8:00 p.m.

Meals do not need to be fancy — simple, kid‑friendly, and comforting is perfect.

When You’re Needed

Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m. Sign up for a specific date that works for you ( we will provide potential dates during training and orientation) Up to 4 volunteers per shift — bring a friend or two if you’d like

Who Can Volunteer

Adults 18+ Youth may volunteer with a parent or guardian Great for small groups, families, faith communities, and service clubs No stairs or heavy lifting required

Requirements

Background screening (completed through Family Promise) Approximately 2 hours of online training On‑site orientation at Mt. Hope before your first shift

Why This Role Matters

Sharing a meal is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to build community. Volunteers help families feel welcomed, supported, and seen — and often find that the conversations around the dinner table are the most meaningful part of the experience.

How to Sign Up

Agency: Family Promise Of Lawrence

Create a welcoming evening for families experiencing homelessness

This is a great opportunity for individuals, pairs, friend groups, families, and small service teams.

What You’ll Do

Meals do not need to be fancy — simple, kid‑friendly, and comforting is perfect.

When You’re Needed

Who Can Volunteer

Adults 18+ Youth may volunteer with a parent or guardian Great for small groups, families, faith communities, and service clubs No stairs or heavy lifting required

Requirements

Background screening (completed through Family Promise) Approximately 2 hours of online training On‑site orientation at Mt. Hope before your first shift

Why This Role Matters

How to Sign Up

Agency: Family Promise Of Lawrence

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Runs Until Jul 31, 2026

Zip Code: 66044

Allow Groups: Yes

Volunteer: Clean and Prep Volunteer

Help families feel welcomed—and keep shared spaces shining.
Family Promise of Lawrence (FPL) is looking for Clean and Prep Volunteers to help maintain safe, dignified environments for families in shelter. This hands-on role includes two key areas of impact:

Scheduled cleaning of common areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and shared living spaces to ensure they remain tidy, welcoming, and ready for daily use Episodic support between family transitions, helping clean and reset private rooms, deep cleaning of areas if needed, and prepare homes for new arrivals

Whether you're wiping down surfaces, restocking essentials, or deep cleaning, your care helps families feel seen and supported—and allows staff to focus on stabilization efforts.

Time Commitment:
Flexible! Volunteers can sign up for regular cleaning shifts or be contacted when turnover support is needed. Great for individuals or small groups who enjoy short-term, hands-on service.

Impact:
Your work helps create a sense of dignity and calm for families in crisis. Clean, organized spaces communicate care—and make a real difference in how families experience shelter.

Agency: Family Promise Of Lawrence

Whether you're wiping down surfaces, restocking essentials, or deep cleaning, your care helps families feel seen and supported—and allows staff to focus on stabilization efforts.

Impact:
Your work helps create a sense of dignity and calm for families in crisis. Clean, organized spaces communicate care—and make a real difference in how families experience shelter.

Agency: Family Promise Of Lawrence

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Runs Until Aug 31, 2026

Zip Code: 66044

Allow Groups: Yes

Volunteer: 5k Event Volunteer

CLICK TO SIGN UP NOW TO VOLUNTEER!

Join us on Monday, May 25 for the 5K Home Run supporting Family Promise of Lawrence. This event brings our community together for a morning of energy, encouragement, and hands‑on service. Volunteers can jump in across a wide range of roles—from early‑morning setup and participant check‑in to course marshals, kids’ activities, water stations, and post‑race cleanup. Whether you love cheering on runners, organizing behind the scenes, or helping families enjoy the day, there’s a place for you to make a meaningful impact. Learn more and sign up to today. Register early to be included in a drawing for a prize pack!

Agency: Family Promise Of Lawrence

CLICK TO SIGN UP NOW TO VOLUNTEER!

Agency: Family Promise Of Lawrence

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Happens On May 25, 2026

Zip Code: 66044

Allow Groups: Yes

Volunteer: 5K Home Run Tear Down Volunteers 2026

The annual 5K Home Run event is a staple fundraising event supporting Family Promise of Lawrence. Join us in the fight to prevent families from being unhoused in Douglas County, Kansas, by supporting this event as a volunteer, a participant, or both!

Choose one:

A) Take Down and Clean Up Volunteers- Volunteers will break down all tables and chairs and return them to their place under the gazebo. They will also remove all signs and banners, collect the remaining T-shirts, and bag any overflow garbage bags for disposal.

B) Collecting Volunteers- These volunteers will help collect all cones, barricades, and mile marker signs on the course.

C) Recycling Volunteers- These volunteers will collect all water bottles and other recyclable items. Then the volunteers will take the recyclables to the appropriate recycling bins after the event.

Agency: Family Promise Of Lawrence

Choose one:

B) Collecting Volunteers- These volunteers will help collect all cones, barricades, and mile marker signs on the course.

C) Recycling Volunteers- These volunteers will collect all water bottles and other recyclable items. Then the volunteers will take the recyclables to the appropriate recycling bins after the event.

Agency: Family Promise Of Lawrence

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Happens On May 25, 2026

Zip Code: 66044

Allow Groups: Yes

Volunteer: 5k Home Run Set up Volunteer 2026

5K Home Run Event - General Set-up Volunteer

Help set up for the 5K Home Run: Set up tables, chairs, water and ice, food tables, T-shirts, volunteer check-in locations, hang banners, and post signs etc.

Agency: Family Promise Of Lawrence

5K Home Run Event - General Set-up Volunteer

Help set up for the 5K Home Run: Set up tables, chairs, water and ice, food tables, T-shirts, volunteer check-in locations, hang banners, and post signs etc.

Agency: Family Promise Of Lawrence

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Happens On May 25, 2026

Zip Code: 66044

Allow Groups: Yes

Volunteer: 5K Home Run Registration and Check in Volunteer 2026

Help pass out T-Shirts to participants. Help those who have pre-registered to check in. Help those who haven't pre-registered to sign up & check in.

Agency: Family Promise Of Lawrence

Help pass out T-Shirts to participants. Help those who have pre-registered to check in. Help those who haven't pre-registered to sign up & check in.

Agency: Family Promise Of Lawrence

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Happens On May 25, 2026

Zip Code: 66044

Allow Groups: No

Volunteer: 5K Home Run Kids Activities Volunteer 2026

This volunteer position will take place at the bouncy house(s) where volunteers will need to monitor the entrances and exits to let kids in and out. Volunteers will also help coordinate the “Fun Run” for little kids who are too young to run the 5K. It's short and… FUN!

Agency: Family Promise Of Lawrence

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Happens On May 25, 2026

Zip Code: 66044

Allow Groups: Yes

Volunteer: 5K Home Run General Race Day Help 2026

Often, we will have race day gaps. If you sign up here, you are willing to be deployed wherever needed on the day of the race!

Agency: Family Promise Of Lawrence

Often, we will have race day gaps. If you sign up here, you are willing to be deployed wherever needed on the day of the race!

Agency: Family Promise Of Lawrence

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Happens On May 25, 2026

Zip Code: 66044

Allow Groups: Yes

Volunteer: 5K Home Run - Water Stop Volunteer 2026

5K Home Run – Water Stop Volunteer

Choose one:

A) Mid-Race Water Stop Volunteer – The Mid-Race Water Stop will be located at Burrough's Creek Trail Roundabout at 15th Street, where Water Stop Volunteers will set up water cups for runners and collect discarded cups for disposal.

B) Finish Line Water Stop Volunteer- The Finish Line Water Stop Volunteers will be stationed at the race Finish Line where they will ice water bottles and pass them out to participants as they finish the race.

Agency: Family Promise Of Lawrence

5K Home Run – Water Stop Volunteer

Choose one:

Agency: Family Promise Of Lawrence

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Happens On May 25, 2026

Zip Code: 66044

Allow Groups: Yes

Volunteer: 5k Home Run - Course Marshal Volunteer 2026

Having good Course Marshals to support participants is the most important part of the 5K Home Run event!

This is a great opportunity to serve with family, friends, and associates because we need a lot of Course Marshals! In fact, we need about 50 Course Marshals to make the event a success.

The purpose of this volunteer role is to encourage participants to finish the race -AND- to be on hand in case of an emergency. By serving in this role, along a street with cars, you may have to stop cars to allow the safety of runners as they pass.

This volunteer role is a ton of fun! You are there to cheer on the runners, and we encourage you to make signs and bring noise makers!

We need TWO volunteer Course Marshals at every intersection on the racecourse (at least one volunteer must be an adult, and kids should be 12 and over). Each volunteer will be given a bright T-shirt to help participants identify them, and every Course Marshal volunteer who is stationed at posts on a street will be required to wear reflective vests (NOTE: volunteers can keep the T-shirts, but the reflective vests must be returned at the end of the event).

Agency: Family Promise Of Lawrence

Having good Course Marshals to support participants is the most important part of the 5K Home Run event!

This is a great opportunity to serve with family, friends, and associates because we need a lot of Course Marshals! In fact, we need about 50 Course Marshals to make the event a success.

This volunteer role is a ton of fun! You are there to cheer on the runners, and we encourage you to make signs and bring noise makers!

Agency: Family Promise Of Lawrence

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Happens On May 25, 2026

Zip Code: 66044

Allow Groups: Yes

Volunteer: Moving with Purpose: Volunteer Drivers & Lifters Needed

Purpose:
Help ensure donated items reach the families who need them most. Volunteers in this role assist with picking up donations from community members and delivering them to Family Promise of Lawrence families, creating safe, welcoming spaces for those in transition.

Responsibilities:

Coordinate with staff to schedule pick-ups from donors and drop-offs to families Safely lift, carry, and transport items such as furniture, household goods, and supplies Use personal vehicle (truck, van, SUV preferred) or assist another volunteer with loading/unloading Treat all items with care and respect, preserving dignity for recipient families Communicate clearly and kindly with donors, families, and staff

Role Flexibility:

This role can be split into two parts—Mover or Driver—or combined depending on the volunteer’s availability and vehicle access. Volunteers may work solo, in pairs, or as part of a team.

Time Commitment:

Flexible and on-call based on donation schedules Most opportunities occur weekdays, with occasional weekend needs

Location:

Pick-ups from donors across Douglas County Deliveries to Family Promise families or program sites

Agency: Family Promise Of Lawrence

Responsibilities:

Role Flexibility:

This role can be split into two parts—Mover or Driver—or combined depending on the volunteer’s availability and vehicle access. Volunteers may work solo, in pairs, or as part of a team.

Time Commitment:

Flexible and on-call based on donation schedules Most opportunities occur weekdays, with occasional weekend needs

Location:

Pick-ups from donors across Douglas County Deliveries to Family Promise families or program sites

Agency: Family Promise Of Lawrence

Opportunity Type: Volunteer

Date: Is Ongoing

Zip Code: 66044

Allow Groups: Yes