Volunteers are needed to help children ages 1 to 17 with crafts, games, and activities that our staff will plan. Our shelter provides emergency housing for up to 8 families with children at a time. Most children's activities have between 5 to 15 children in attendance at a time.
Volunteer Responsibilities and Activity Information:
- Volunteers are needed between 4:30pm to 6:30pm on Wednesdays.
- Volunteers will help set up and clean up the activity. (Staff will provide guidance.)
- Volunteers will interact with the children and help them participate in the activity.
- Children come and go during the event.
- Volunteers will do 2-3 sessions of the activity to allow all children to participate as they arrive home to the shelter for the evening.
- If you would like to plan or bring a craft or activity, please just let us know. We'd love your help in planning.
Volunteers:
- All ages are welcome to volunteer. Youth 14 years of age and younger should have an adult on site with them while volunteering.
- Child volunteers should be signed up, too.
Questions? Contact Missy Reams at missy@familiesforward.org or by phone at 515-989-8404.
About volunteering: A volunteer orientation is provided when you first arrive to help, including an overview about poverty in the Des Moines metro. We provide a unique cultural and economically diverse volunteer experience.
Information for First-time Volunteers: Click here for information about parking, how to check in when you arrive, and much more.
Note: This program does not accept court-ordered community service.
Large Group Volunteering for Children's Events: If you have a larger group that would like to help with a children's event, please email Missy Reams at Missy@familiesforward.org.
About Families Forward: Families Forward (previously Bidwell Riverside Center and Hawthorn Hill) has four main programs: Bidwell Pantry, Child Development Center, New Directions Shelter (emergency housing), and The Home Connection (long-term housing). For over 100 years, our mission has been to provide compassionate, life-changing assistance to families and their path to self-sufficiency.
