Opportunities From: Haywood Pathways Center

We need fixers and builders to take care of the same types of things you do at home!  We need painting, machine (lawn mower, weed eater) repairs, upgrades, dripping faucet repairs, and occasional building projects. Volunteers for this opportunity make things better-- functionally, efficiently, and more beautiful.

Call us at 828/246-0332 or email volunteer@haywoodpathways.org to discuss our current needs!

If you have only one hour to give and like to drive a van… this is the job for you! Each week-day morning, for one hour, between 8:00-10am, we take our refrigerated van to Publix for the daily food donation. It’s like Christmas, you just never know what the boxes will hold! No CDL is needed, but heavy lifting is required. The boxes can weigh up to forty pounds. Once back on campus we can assist with unloading if needed.

Haywood Pathways is requesting the help of volunteers to host the guests who need to stay in the dining room throughout the winter/cold months. The night-time shift responsibilities will include checking in guests and helping settle everyone to their mats for the evening. The morning shift responsibilities will include helping serve a continental breakfast, retrieving guests' personal belongings, and checking out for the day. The people who come to Cold Grace are usually people who don't qualify for our regular shelter services.

We are looking for volunteers who are confident and comfortable directing others and taking charge. Training is provided by HPC's dedicated residential staff when you arrive for your shift.

HPC now offers Cold Grace services throughout the winter months into March, even when it's not quite below freezing temperatures. 

We receive many generous donations and our office fills with them regularly. We need volunteers to help us sort the items, put them away in their various locations, and keep them organized.  

Volunteers may assist with cleaning tasks at various locations around campus such as the front office, the kitchen, or the dorms. Tasks include but are not limited to, sweeping, mopping, and wiping surfaces. 

The parents at Haywood Pathways are being treated to Renting and Financial support classes. So, the children need supervision and care. The particular ages and needs will change as the residents move in and move out, but I envision the team of babysitters working best with 2-3 adults and 2 teens, or 3-4 adults. The time will be spent in the upstairs floor of the family dorm because there is a common room and a play room. Time can also be spent in the outdoor play area if weather and light permits. 

Join Patrick and Heather with the Holy Cow Food Truck at lunchtime.  Be present to the community that gathers around, initiate conversation and connection, tell the story of Haywood Pathways, invite interested folks to get involved, and give our information to those who may need help!  

We have some beautiful landscaped beds here at Pathways and they need maintenance. We wouldn't say no to expert advice and efforts, but we are also happy to instruct a novice in some basic best practices. 

Call us at 828/246-0332 or email volunteer@haywoodpathways.org to set up times and dates!

Our residents love to use their hands to create beautiful or functional objects. If you also love to create objects of joy, please share your hobby with us! The best time for art experiences or crafting classes are the weekends and weekday evenings.

We can always use great photos of our events. Sometimes the need will be at special events and sometimes on campus.

A talented, well-informed volunteer could partner with our admin team to create social media posts or even a PowerPoint to share Pathways with the community.  

We have regular and on-going tasks around campus. A few examples are:

Our laundry detergent is measured out in single use bags to provide to our residents.  We need folks regularly to measure it out and put into zip lock baggies.  Good project for young folks or someone who enjoys menial tasks.

Pantry items get disorganized and could be organized by type, kind, etc.

Donated linens need to be labeled and folded. 

If you are interested in a one-time day of service or a regular commitment to come on campus and meet needs, please respond and then email or call our Volunteer Coordinator to arrange specific times and details.

Days are based on your availability, typically between the hours of 3:30-5:30 pm or 7:00-8:30 pm. We will pair up your preferred subjects and skills with our residents/children. On occasion we have adults completing their G.E.D who could benefit from additional support as well. Some residents need help learning to read.  Reach out if you’re interested, we would love to add your name to our call-list. Please note, this position is need-based and will vary depending on the current individuals staying with us.

This team of volunteers needs to be characterized by resourcefulness, courage (not easily scared), the ability to handle awkward situations calmly, skills to defer giving an answer and taking a message, and firm kindness. We will train you for the specific tasks! Volunteers will answer the phone, do brief phone interviews to determine eligibility for entrance, and greet guests who come in the front door of the office.

Ideally, our team would fill the hours of 9-5, Monday thru Friday. I am happy to fill the team with different levels of time commitment. For example, if one volunteer is willing to come every day from 9-12 but one volunteer is willing to come one day a week from 3-5, all are welcome. I think 2 hours per week is probably the minimum commitment. I would also like to have a list of willing “substitutes” in the case of travel or an emergency.