Contribute Today
How You Can Make A Difference Today
We have many ways to get involved with LSS through our Refugee Services program and our Nourishment Network feeding programs.
Volunteer With Refugees
(Please note that some volunteer positions may require a level 2 background screening.)
No Background Screening Required
Donation Sorting: Help us organize donations during our normal operating hours. Small groups welcome! There is no client interaction; this can be a one-time volunteer opportunity.
Workshops: Do you have an area of expertise, skill, or hobby you want to share? We are looking for individuals/groups to offer free workshops for our Youth Mentoring Program and Refugee clients. Staff Supervised. This can be a one-time volunteer opportunity.
Fieldtrips: LSS is searching for free fieldtrip opportunities for our refugee youth (ages 15-24 years old). Examples: touring a facility to learn about a career, tickets to events, exploring community resources. Contact us if you have a field trip opportunity!
Front Desk: You will be answering the phone, accepting in-kind donations, and welcoming clients as they enter the building. Staff supervised.
Apartment Set Up: LSS is looking for small groups that will pick up, transport, set up furniture/home goods in an apartment for arriving refugees. Assign a group leader who will receive an email from a staff member when apartment set ups are needed. There is no client interaction; this can be a one-time volunteer opportunity.
Level 2 Background Check Required
Transportation: Assist the case workers in transporting clients to appointments (social security, health department, etc). A vehicle, good driving record, and a Level II background check are required for this volunteer opportunity.
Youth mentoring: Get matched to a mentee (a refugee youth between the ages of 15-24). Youth Mentors meet with mentees to work toward reaching personal, vocational, or academic goal(s). For example, a goal of applying for college will have the mentor and mentee researching schools, financial aid, and completing applications. You will meet on Zoom, LSS, LSS’s after school location, or other public settings. We ask for 1-hour weekly or 2-hour bimonthly meetings, a background check, and a 6-month commitment.
Vocational mentoring: Help refugee adults that are pursuing a certificate program or a new vocational field. As a mentor, you will provide support to your mentee as they complete their training and transition into a new career. Requires a background check.
Language Interpretation: If you are fluent in a foreign language and have experience interpreting, we would love you to join our volunteer team! Current languages needed: Spanish, Arabic, Dari, Farsi, Pashtu, Tigrinya, Ukrainian, and Swahili. Requires a background check.
A Note on Volunteering
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Our program serves refugees from all populations. Although we may see an influx in Afghan refugees, our volunteers will be serving individuals from all backgrounds.
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The privacy and safety of our clients is of utmost importance. Volunteers are not to disclose locations of apartments or any client data.
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Any volunteer positions at LSS with direct client interaction is subject to the screening requirements of Florida Statute 435. As such, state regulations require those volunteers to undergo a Level II Fingerprint Background check. Our HR staff will work with to collect the appropriate paperwork and help you obtain the background check at no cost to you.
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We hope that you find a way to be involved in our refugee services program, whether that is through volunteering or donating.
If you have questions on volunteering with our Refugee Program, please email Ayleen Supernault at: ayleen.supernault@lssjax.org.
Volunteer To Help Feed Your Neighbors
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Our food pantry, the Nourishment Network Market, distributes food five days per week, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. We need help during these hours to help clients sign in and to assist them to their cars with food.
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We can also use volunteers any time during LSS’s business hours to unpack and sort food, and pack it into bags for distribution. LSS is open Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.
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Pantry volunteers must be at least 15 years old.
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Currently, the Food Pantry does not have a program in place for volunteers wishing to satisfy court mandated community service hours for Department of Corrections.
For more information or to sign up, click below to email ayleen.supernault@lssjax.org
Lutheran Social Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Drug Free Workplace.