Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Volunteering with Partners in Housing

I want to volunteer! How do I sign up to do that?

Excellent! Once you have officially completed our volunteer application and additional onboarding procedures, creating an account on our site is the first step to volunteering. Please see our welcome page for step-by-step instructions on how to register or get help registering.

Once registered, you can then sign up online for our volunteer opportunities here.

How do I sign up for an opportunity?

Search for opportunities that interest you through the opportunities page or based on the program you're interested in. You can also view opportunities by date using the Calendar.

Individual volunteers: Click the "RESPOND" button and select your shift(s), or scroll down to the shift listing and click the "RESPOND INDIVIDUALLY" next to the shift(s) for which you want to sign up. You will need to create an account if you do not already have one.

Group volunteers: Click the "RESPOND AS TEAM" button and select your shift(s), or scroll down to the shift listing and click the "RESPOND AS TEAM" next to the shift(s) for which you want to sign up. You will need to create a team name, click "add me" to add yourself, and click "add volunteer" to add your teammates. Once everyone is added, click the checkbox to mark a person as the "leader" and they will be the main point of contact for the group. NOTE: If you are unsure of how many people will be volunteering or don't have their info yet, you can select "Reserve Additional Slots" to hold your group's place for the shift(s) you want to sign up for. Your teammates will be required to create an account if they do not already have one.

I want to volunteer with family, friends, coworkers, or as a group. How do I sign us all up together?

We love volunteer groups, large and small, and would love to work with you to host your group for a volunteer event! Please visit this page to submit a request, and we'll get back to you within two business days!

Here's a great help article on how to create and manage teams!

What are 'Qualifications'?

Some of our volunteer opportunities require additional qualifications, such as a background check. You will be notified when a qualification is required to respond to an opportunity. You can go to your Qualifications to submit any of your qualifications.

***If you are 'responding as a team' to an opportunity with additional qualifications, each member of the team will need an account to submit their own individual qualifications.

How do I complete my volunteer paperwork?

All volunteers are required to complete their volunteer paperwork prior to volunteering at Partners in Housing. If you still need to complete any paperwork or update any information, please contact Tarin at tpotter@partnersinhousing.org for assistance.

Do you have a Volunteer Handbook?

Yes! Our Volunteer Handbook is intended to answer regular volunteer questions and outline our expectations of volunteers. Click here to read our handbook.

Do you feel like something is missing from the handbook? Let us know! Email us at tpotter@partnersinhousing.org.

Can I just show up? Why not?

In order to create a safe and enjoyable volunteer experience, every volunteer needs to register in advance and sign up for an opportunity that has available slots in a shift. This helps our staff prepare for volunteers and ensures we don’t have too many people on-site at one time.

If you'd like to volunteer with a friend or a family member, they must have completed a volunteer application and any additional onboarding procedures.* If a Partners in Housing staff member has confirmed that they are approved to volunteer, please register individually and take separate slots in the shifts or sign up as a team.

*If they are not approved, the friend or family member will be asked to leave. This is for safety purposes and to protect the families and children that we serve.

How do I cancel my shift?

Log in to your Volunteer account and visit your opportunity responses to either edit your response or unregister from your shift.

To cancel a Team/Group response: Visit the My Teams page to edit your team's response or unregister your team from that opportunity.

If you're not able to use the site to cancel or reschedule, please call us at (719) 559-3286 or email Tarin at tpotter@partnersinhousing.org

How do I track my hours?

You can log your own hours by using the volunteer self check-in feature or by clicking the 'Add Hours' button on this page.

For more information, here's a helpful article on volunteer self check-in and some help using 'Add Hours.'

How do I check in or check out of shifts?

Visit the Volunteer Kiosk, available on-site at many of our locations, at the start and end of your shift. You can also check in/check out online (here).

Many of our volunteers prefer to use the "Causer" Volunteer App. You can download it on Apple or Google Play to check in and out of your shifts!

How do I use the Volunteer App?

The "Causer" Volunteer App is available on Apple or Google Play. With the App, you can:

- See your schedule

- Get alerts, including location-based notifications, when you arrive at your volunteer site

- Check in & out of your volunteer shifts

- Sign up for opportunities that interest you

How do I change my password?

If you forget your password, no worries! You can click the Forgot Password link on the login page. From there, you will be asked to enter your email address, and the system will send you instructions on resetting your password.

Is there training available for volunteers about using this website?

You'll find a ton of articles and videos just for volunteers in the Help Center!

Can you sign my form showing that I completed volunteer hours?

Yes, ONLY if it was discussed prior to volunteering with us. Please bring your form with you to your volunteer shift and present it to a staff member after your shift is complete. Only your immediate supervisor or the Volunteer Coordinator can sign it to verify you have completed the hours.

I'm not getting email notifications about my shift. How do I fix this?

This most likely means that our notification emails are getting sent to Spam. To undo this: Go to your Spam folder > find & open an email from us > and select Not Spam. This should allow the messages to go straight to your Inbox instead!

Do you accept court-ordered community service volunteers?

Yes! Court-ordered community service volunteers should visit our Community Service Volunteer Page and follow the steps on the page. A Partners in Housing staff member will contact you within 3-5 business days to determine if we are a good fit, and you will then be able to schedule your hours. We look forward to serving with you!

Can I Volunteer if I am Under 18?

Anyone ages 16 and 17 may volunteer independently, with prior approval from the Volunteer Coordinator. Minors aged 15 and below must be accompanied by an adult during all volunteer opportunities, with prior approval from the Volunteer Coordinator. Please note that up to three volunteers ages 9 - 10 must be accompanied by an adult.

Anyone under 18 must have their volunteer paperwork signed by a parent or guardian before volunteering.

If you’re interested in volunteering as a family or a group with younger children, please reach out to Tarin at tpotter@partnersinhousing.org!

Are there any special rules for child volunteers?

Volunteers ages 9 to 15 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian while volunteering. Please note that up to three volunteers, ages 9 - 10, can accompany one adult guardian. There is no limitation to the number of volunteers ages 11-15 that can accompany an adult. Please note that all volunteer paperwork must be signed by a parent or guardian for EACH child volunteer.

I see a notification asking me to complete a background check for my volunteer opportunity. How can I do that?

If you have not done so already, select this form and enter the necessary information for the completion of your background check. After submitting the form, it may take 1-3 business days to receive confirmation of your completed background check.

What Partners in Housing merch is available?

Have you seen Partners in Housing's merch or swag around? After volunteering for 25 hours, volunteers may receive various merch as a thank you for the time that they put in. Volunteers may also receive an annual appreciation gift!

How can I donate funds or give in other ways to help further Partners in Housing's mission and organizational goals?

You can donate online here or call (719) 325-5830 to speak with someone on our Development Team.

Contact us:

Need assistance with Galaxy Digital? Submit your questions through our support form here.

Other inquiries? Email us at tpotter@partnersinhousing.org or call (719) 559-3286