Volunteering at Main Street Project
Thank you for your interest in Volunteering with us! Please review the following information prior to submitting an application.
Our Mission
To provide safe and welcoming places of respite and healing with services that aim to reduce harm for people experiencing homelessness, substance use, and mental health challenges while working collaboratively to achieve measurable success in the journey to end homelessness.
Our Vision
A community in which everyone has access to a safe space where dignity, respect, and self-determination are supported.
Our core values
Reducing harm, trauma-informed, truth & reconciliation, and anti-oppression.
We aim to address four key objectives:
1: Advance the Implementation of Harm Reduction;
2: Prevent and End Homelessness;
3: Further Embrace and Support Truth & Reconciliation, Decolonization and Anti-Oppression, and
4: Strengthen the Organization by Improving Infrastructure, Technology, and Processes
LEVEL 1 VOLUNTEER:
Requires only general screening. These positions will not require more than brief, on-the-spot training at the beginning of the shift. Positions include:
- Family Day (shifts for families usually at sandwich making and clothing room) One-off small group/ organization volunteer shifts
- Community Clean-up Groups
*Group (Max 10 at a time) volunteer opportunities can be modified to suit the group and the needs of MSP.
LEVEL 2 VOLUNTEER:
It requires a formal interview, reference check, and a criminal record and vulnerable record check. Positions include the following: You are required to be 18+ in all areas, excluding sandwich making, Essential market, and clothing donations.
- Food Bank Day
- Essentials Market
- Sandwich Making
- Donation and Clothing
- Withdrawal Services Recreation Support
- Housing Recreation Support
- Shelter Support
CRIMINAL RECORD
Criminal checks are required for all volunteer positions. With the exception of community clean-up volunteers, positions that do not require a criminal record check will require staff supervision. These checks come at a cost to the volunteer, so to maintain equitable access to volunteering, folks on a fixed income may be eligible to be subsidized by MSP.
It is imperative that MSP provide equitable opportunities for all to participate in volunteering and, therefore, cover the cost of criminal/vulnerable record checks for those who cannot afford them. MSP will cover the cost of criminal record checks for folks receiving EIA, those with disability EIA, and other folks who communicate that they cannot afford the $60 fee.
MSP recognizes that volunteers with lived experience are important, and therefore, candidates with criminal history will not automatically be eliminated. These cases will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Applicants with a criminal record, along with an abstract of their record, will be requested to provide a letter explaining the charge(s) and where they are currently at in relation to the charge(s) and their ability to perform (or eliminate concerns) in the position applying for. Once the letter is received, the Executive Director will be consulted in the consideration and hiring decision.
*Positions that DO NOT require record checks:
1. Community Clean Up Volunteers
2. One-time group Volunteers
3. Under 18 years volunteers
PLEASE NOTE- Volunteers under the age of 18 require a parent or guardian to volunteer with them.
