Come share your talents with the women and children of St. Margaret's House. We are open Monday thru Friday 10 am–4 pm. Most volunteers work once a week from 9:30 am–1 pm or 1–4 pm. Some volunteers choose to work more than that and flexible shifts are available. As we are an all woman environment, on-site daily volunteers are women. Yet, men play an important role too. (See volunteer opportunities for men). For more information contact our Volunteer Coordinator: Patricia Marvel at (574) 234–7795.
Individual Volunteers
For Women
- » Kitchen Help: Work on a team to cook, prepare, and serve our noon meal.
- » Receptionist: Help staff our front desk. Answer the phone, greet donors and guests. Basic computer knowledge is very helpful. (Training is available).
- » Clothes Closet: Assist guests as they pick out items for themselves and their families. The Clothes Closet is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 10–12 am.
- » Sort Donations: Help sort in-kind donations.
- » Clerical Assistance: Help behind the scene by assisting the staff to keep records, make photocopies, etc.
- » Work with guests to write resumes, learn basic computer skills, tutor for the GED
- » Have a special talent? Use it! Lead a group: art, dance, music, etc.
- » Help us do fundraising! Join the Winter Walk committee as we plan our largest fund-raiser of the year. Held each February, the Winter Walk is a solidarity walk with the women of St. Margaret's House whose only transportation is their feet, no matter the weather. If you can't help us plan, join us for the walk.
- » Share your special talent. Are you handy? We need occasional help with painting and plumbing and general fix-it projects.
- » Are you good with computers? We could use networking and computer maintenance advice.
- » Help with the Winter Walk committee or other Board committees.
- » Hold a fund-raiser for the benefit of St. Margaret's House.
- » We sometimes need accounting and business advice and help especially for our cottage industry.
- » Small groups of volunteers could come on an occasional basis to help with lunch, sponsor a St. Valentine's Day party, St. Patrick's Day Party, or an arts and crafts day for school-aged children in the spring when they are on their spring break.
- » Form a team, walk, or sponsor someone else for our annual Winter Walk held each February.
- » Sponsor a fund-raising effort for St. Margaret's House. A fundraiser done on our behalf would make a significant impact on the quality of services we are able to provide.
Internships
On-site supervision would be provided by:
- » Patricia Marvel, M.S., L.M.H.C. Assistant Director, Or
- » Kathryn Schneider, M.Div., (B.A. in Government) Executive Director
MAJORS: Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Women's Studies, Human Services, Counseling, Master of Divinity, Social Work, Nursing.
JOB DESCRIPTION: Depends on the nature of the internship. We can help you with most internship requirements. Intern will have interaction with women in need and will have duties in accordance with their internship contract requirements.
A volunteer shares a personal experience she had volunteering, a day before she had surgery.
-"During the afternoon while the staff was busy with their activities and a small group of women were sitting quietly visiting, a guest walked in and joined the small group of ladies. All of a sudden I noticed the other ladies embracing the woman who was crying and offering her words of encouragement. (I later learned that the woman had received news that her kidneys were failing.) I could hear some of their words of encouragement and heard one woman tell her to read Psalm 37:5. Not knowing the verse off the top of my head, I wrote it down to look up later when I arrived home. As I sat back watching the group of women, I experienced first hand the magic of St. Margaret's House and that it truly is a safe haven for women to come to to be encouraged, lifted up and loved. When I arrived home I looked up Psalm 37:5: "Commit unto the Lord; trust in him; and he shall bring it to pass." That was exactly what I needed to be reminded of to relieve the anxiety over my pending surgery. As I sat there reviewing the day's events, I realized that God was speaking to me through the women of St. Margaret's House. Even though I was not an active part of the women's discussion, I too was lifted up by the words of encouragement that I heard. This along with the hugs and well wishes from the staff, really helped relieve my anxiety about the surgery. I have felt so welcomed at SMH and view it as a place for personal growth. So a great big thank you to St. Margaret's House! " -Anonymous
"As a student at IUSB, I had a class that required 12 hours of volunteer work. When I first came to St. Margaret's House I knew nothing about it. After completing my 12 hours, I had enjoyed my time here so much that I continued to volunteer my time. One year later, shortly after graduating, I was hired on full time doing a job I love." —Angelica Healy
"I have been volunteering at SMH every week since 1990. I love the community of women here and I love cooking for everyone." —Betty Stafford
"I enjoy working with women of diversity; different ages, races, and economic backgrounds. St. Margaret's House is a place where I can meet and work with many different women through the staff, volunteers, and guest." —Gail Marti