Through presence ministry, you can bring joy and love to marginalized people in our community.
In our Winter Weekend Day Shelter (WWDS) we invite volunteers inside to experience a unique opportunity to connect with guests. Through games and activities or just showing up to chat, volunteers show guests they are loved. We call this Presence Ministry and it’s an important way we build community.
Many of our former guests say that it was the genuine love and care they experienced from staff and volunteers that broke through and helped them connect with God.
Volunteers often return after falling in love with presence ministry and the chance they have to engage more deeply with the guests we know and love.
WWDS volunteers, called ACE volunteers (Accept. Connect. Encourage.), invest themselves in the lives of our guests through the ministry of active presence. These volunteers are energetic initiators of conversation and activities, willing to joyfully “jump right in” and connect with our guests.
We have board games and conversation cards available for use during WWDS, but we want to encourage you to be creative and come up with an activity that brings people together (i.e., a craft, cornhole game, adult coloring books, a pre-approved movie, etc.).
You can find more ideas here. All ideas must be pre-approved by our volunteer staff.
Serve one 4-hour shift, or go all in and adopt multiple shifts with your small group, family, or friends.
Shifts are available on Saturdays & Sundays from November through March:
AM: 7:45am-11:45am
PM: 12:45pm-4:45pm
WWDS Volunteer Questions & Information
717.393.7709
General Volunteer Questions & Information
WSM Volunteer Office
717.393.7709
This group, who call themselves the “Crazy Bunch,” bring bingo to WWDS once a month. It’s become a wonderful highlight over the winter and guests look forward to their joyful presence!
Sign up for a weekend slot by clicking the VolunteerHub button below.
Contact the volunteer office to reserve a date for your group and talk about next steps. Email us at wwds@wsm.org, or call us at (717)393-7709, option 4.
If you have any questions or wish to an adopt a weekend with a group, please contact wwds@wsm.org or (717)393-7709, option 4.
