Interested in volunteering? Please follow the links below or contact us for more information.

Help Make the Holidays Brighter for Residents in our Programs!

Just like you, residents in our programs are hoping for that special gift for the holidays. Will you join with us to help make this possible? We rely on individuals, families, community groups, businesses and congregations to hold collection drives and other creative activities to make the holidays special for residents in our programs. Needs include gift cards for grocery stores, Target, Walmart, restaurants, and entertainment; new, unwrapped toys; new coats; and much more. Click here to view the wish list. Items can be delivered, unwrapped, to our main office Mon-Fri starting on December 1st through the 14th.  

Our main office is located at:
600-B East Gude Drive
Rockville, MD 20850

Below is a listing of current volunteer opportunities at MCCH. You can also download the listing here.

General Volunteer Opportunities

Cook for the Homeless (Hot and Bagged Meals): This continues to be the program with the greatest need, as shelter meals consist almost entirely of food prepared and donated by volunteers. We serve 3 meals a day, every day, to between 60-200+ men in the HBCAC Assessment Center. There is no obligation to prepare the entire amount, as any donation is appreciated. We can arrange for your group to serve if the meal is made for the entire shelter. This is a great project for families and groups. Click here to view our meal program guidelines.

Outreach Volunteers: Attend community events to educate the public about the issues of homelessness in Montgomery County and to recruit volunteers for our programs.

Spring/Fall Beautification Projects: Well organized groups who can provide labor, tools and ideally mulch and planting materials, are needed to help with yard maintenance projects at sites around the county.

Front Desk Greeter: MCCH is seeking reliable volunteers to help staff our reception desk. Volunteers will greet visitors, answer and direct phone calls, and help coordinate donation drop-offs. Office support work and data entry possible as well. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old. Hours are flexible.

Pet Therapy Volunteers: Are you a registered Pet Therapy volunteer? Our clients would love to have visits from animals (and their owners) trained for therapeutic visits. Schedules can be flexible and sites are located throughout the county. Must be over 18 and licensed for visits.

Back to Work Mentoring: Volunteers with professional experience are needed to assist clients at our men’s shelter with all aspects of preparing themselves to go back to work. This would include interview preparation, resume help, and GED tutoring. Additionally, if you have staffing needs at your place of business or worship, why not consider contacting our Back to Work program manager to see if he has an appropriate candidate to fill the position?

Collection Drives:  Organize a drive to collect items that MCCH programs need.  Items collected often include gift cards, back to school supplies, new household supplies, cleaning products, toiletries, cereal and canned goods, children’s sports equipment or tickets to sporting or cultural events.  You can hold a collection at your school, congregation or in your neighborhood. Click here for a listing of current program needs.

Projects Related to Special Events: Are you getting ready for a B’nai Mitzvah, confirmation or other special event to which you would like to add a community service component?  We can combine speakers for your class and shelter tours with a collection drive or meal preparation and serving at the HBCAC shelter to create a special experience. Please contact us for additional details.

Seasonal Volunteer Opportunities

Holiday Gifts to Adults:  Safe Havens serve single adults with mental illness who have been living on the street.  Upon request, we can provide you with a “wish list” that Safe Havens clients want and need. 

Gift Cards for Holiday Purchases: MCCH strongly believes that parents should be active participants in making the holiday special for their own children. Using gift cards is also a great exercise in holiday budgeting for our clients. Gift cards from the following stores (all accessible to our families) are welcomed: Target, Wal-Mart, or grocery stores.

Special Holiday Meals: Help make the holidays a memorable time for our men’s shelter. We are especially looking for help for New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday, and the Super Bowl.

Gift Wrapping Volunteers: Starting mid-December we need volunteers to help wrap gifts for our clients. Volunteers are needed during normal business hours in our main office.

For additional information about any of the above activities, with the exception of the meal program, or if you have any other expertise to share please contact Teri Brenits at teri@mcch.net or at 301-917-6660.

If you are interested in meal program information or scheduling, please contact Naira Mardukhayeva at naira@mcch.net  or 301-917-6658.

Community Service or SSL Credit is available for selected activities!

Thank you for your interest in wanting to help our vulnerable neighbors!