Website: https://www.housesintohomes.org/
Mission: Houses into Homes provides gently-used beds, furniture, and household items for families and individuals in Johnson County who are exiting homelessness, domestic violence, and other crisis situations. Our mission is to help people feel the comfort of home and to do so in a way that honors their experience and engages them with unconditional positive regard. Houses into Homes is the only organization of its kind in Johnson County. We also proudly offer volunteers, recipients, donors, and staff a unique opportunity to meet and impact those with whom they share our community.
Location: Iowa City (67 miles from Grinnell College)
Needs: There are a lot of volunteer opportunities at Houses into Homes. We have warehouse jobs of upcycling furniture (painting and fixing), organizing incoming donations, cleaning furniture/mattresses that need it, and helping pack items for delivery to our recipients within the community. Additionally, volunteers can help load our box truck at our warehouse and drive to deliver furniture and other items to individuals that we serve. Dressers are our largest item that is requested more than donated, and groups can Sponsor a Dresser Build by fundraising/providing the $100 for a dresser kit, and then putting the dresser together.
Volunteers:
- One-time events: yes
- Ongoing: yes
- Groups possible? Groups are welcome, please have one representative fill out our Group Volunteer Inquiry Form at: https://www.housesintohomes.org/volunteergroups. We request 3 to 4 weeks notice to best coordinate groups.
When is service needed: Delivery days are usually on weekends, and both delivery days and warehouse shift slots are available on Sign Up Genius (see How to Apply) but needs and service activities are on-going and diverse so always feel free to get in touch with us!
Number of hours: Flexible hours, as much or as little as possible. Houses into Homes needs volunteers to support the critical work needed in our warehouse and to help with deliveries all year around.
Modality:
- In-person: yes
- Hybrid in-person/virtual possible: no
- Fully virtual possible: no
Prerequisites: Driver’s license for delivery roles
Background check required: No
Equipment/logistics needed: We suggest that volunteers wear closed toed shoes and bring a water bottle with them. Everything else that might be needed is available at the warehouse.
Training supplied: There is minimal training needed and our Volunteer Coordinators and more senior volunteers take care of all of that onsite.
How to apply: Apply through the website: https://www.housesintohomes.org/volunteerapp. Also check our ever-changing needs on Sign Up Genius:
Contact: Kristi Emick, Volunteer Coordinator, 319-435-1075, volunteer@housesintohomes.org
Operation information: We have served 2280 community members to date, 1346 of whom are youth*. We’ve diverted hundreds of tons of beds, furniture, and other items from the landfill. The families and individuals we serve are referred to us by a broad array of local service agencies.
Address: 401 6th Ave, Coralville, IA 52241, Iowa City
If you are with this organization and need to update your listing, please access our update form on this page: For Community Partners