Get involved – RESTORING HOPE

Imagine being in the worst situation possible, and believing there is no hope for change. How would it affect your thinking? How would it affect the way you act, or the way you look at the world? What if you thought that pain and sadness were your destiny, because it was all you had ever known?

Now imagine that someone told you there was hope. That life could be so much better. Imagine being told that you are loved and valued and had a better destiny for your life. You would probably look at that person and say that they were crazy. For youth who have experienced years of hopelessness, words alone mean nothing.

But take those words, connect them with acts of compassion, and now you have something that is real, and inspires change. At Restoring Hope Ministries we want to give people the opportunity to see hope birthed in the lives of young men and women who have heard it all, but have rarely seen love in action.

Interested in finding out more?

Ways to Volunteer

Restoring Hope Ministries is a volunteer-driven organization and there are several ways you can help. Throughout the years, we have seen God take our efforts, and willingness to learn, and create something amazing with them.

Depending on your interests and the skills you would like to build or share, there are a variety of roles suitable for individuals and groups. Please read through the categories and sample roles listed below to learn more.

Will you join us?

Apply to Volunteer with Restoring Hope

Shelter Opportunities

Overnight volunteer

One of our ongoing biggest needs is overnight shelter volunteers. We are not going to lie, it is difficult work. It means committing an entire evening through the following morning. It also means staying awake for a large part of the overnight (not the entire night though, our volunteers will sleep in shifts). However, you will also have the opportunity to work with some incredibly wonderful youth who desperately need the love and joy that you have to give. You have the chance to build friendships with the youth which will plant the seed of hope in their lives. Lastly, you will know that while those youth are with you for the night, that they are safe and that they can truly have a peaceful night sleep. Our overnight youth shelter is our starting point in helping to inspire homeless youth to a changed life. Please pray and ask the Lord if He would want you to help us with this great opportunity.
Meals
Lunches

Before each youth leaves in the morning we would like to give them each a bag lunch to take with them. Would you like to be a part of providing a healthy lunch for a youth in Ottawa who need to be reminded that people care? You can even put a note of support and encouragement with the lunch as a surprise for them when they open their lunch. It may sound a little corny, but small acts of kindness add up to change a life forever.
Drop-in Volunteer

The drop-in period is a vital part of our ministry. During this time volunteers participate in a variety of tasks such as serving hot meals, providing an active listening ear, sorting and distributing clothing, doing dishes and so much more with the youth in attendance. We offer a relatively low-key environment with engaging activities readily available.

These include board and card games, movie nights, arts and crafts and occasional special theme nights. A strong emphasis is put on building healthy relationships. Help is also provided in the form of low-key mental health support, conflict management and pastoral care with informal referrals being made to deeper community support where indicated. The drop-in is primarily hosted by volunteers under the guidance of a staff supervisor.
Special Activities / Theme Nights
Organizing material donations

Donations come in throughout the year in support of this ministry where volunteers are required during various times to assist to keep the shelter organized and perform our annual spring cleaning and Christmas sorting. This is done during the daytime when the shelter is not operating. We also need regular assistance with ongoing tasks of folding clothing donations and restocking hygiene supplies and pantry supplies during the drop-in period.

Women’s program opportunities

Daytime drop-in

This daytime drop-in period will be when we will begin our journey with the young women by getting to know them, their struggles and their challenges. We will come alongside them in a safe, confidential, and non-judgmental space. We will build trust and respect with the women as we love and guide them to the programs they need, and provide the support required to begin their journey toward healing.

The program will run Mondays through Fridays from 12 pm to 4 pm. We will require volunteers to assist in greeting, setting up for activities, cleaning up and providing general information if other workers are with clients.
Special program offerings

During the drop-in program, we will offer services including education and employment guidance, counselling, legal service appointments, child and family support, life skills training, self-esteem building, mentorship, spiritual and cultural encouragement, referrals to appropriate and safe volunteer opportunities, and so much more. The day program will offer a safe space where women can come and enjoy themselves through special programming like art and animal therapy, and experience a healthy and loving environment.

Do you have a special gift and/or experience that you would like to share with these women? A monthly programming calendar will be created, and we’d love to add you to the list if you’re a good fit for our organization.
Professional Service Volunteers

Professional and culturally sensitive services are required as part of the recovery process for those using our programs. Individuals or businesses are invited to offer their pro-bono services to members of our community through special programming. A variety of skills are welcome in areas such as legal consultation, financial counseling, medical services, counseling/psychological services and more.

Other opportunities

Fundraising - Special Events & Awareness

It is no secret that a project like this requires money in order to operate. Throughout the year, we will be organizing many events to raise both funds and awareness for what we are doing at Restoring Hope Ministries. Are you someone who likes to have fun and likes to engage with others to do the same? We need your help. We would like to put together a team of volunteers who feel called to help us to organize these events. The possibilities are endless, and we’ll have a lot of fun. Would you like to use your event planning skills to help us to raise funds and awareness for those we serve?
Prayer

Every good thing that this ministry has been blessed with has come as a result of answered prayers. We have been so excited to see how God has been opening doors for us and how He continues to bless us beyond what we could have imagined. Through every obstacle God has sustained our faith by revealing His strength and purposes through prayer. We are looking for partners who we will commit to joining us in praying for this ministry and the youth who we will be reaching. We will also be meeting regularly together for times of prayer and celebration. Join us in our efforts to change lives through the power of prayer.

Apply to Volunteer with Restoring Hope