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412-363-0500

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Support Veterans Through Volunteering

Volunteers play an important role in Veterans Place’s mission. Their time, energy, and compassion help provide essential services, support day-to-day operations, maintain the campus, and create a welcoming environment for veterans experiencing homelessness.

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WHO CAN VOLUNTEER?

Veterans Place welcomes individuals and groups who want to support veterans through volunteering. Volunteers must be 18 years or older, unless accompanied by an adult. While many opportunities are a good fit for individual volunteers and large site groups, there is also room for volunteers who are interested in ongoing, consistent involvement.

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WAYS TO GET INVOLVED

Volunteers can support Veterans Place in several ways throughout the year, including recurring service opportunities, seasonal projects, and special events. Such as:

Assisting in the Food Bank

Food bank support is one of the featured volunteer opportunities at Veterans Place. This role is typically available on Fridays year-round and usually involves 2 to 4 hour shifts. It is a strong fit for volunteers who want to provide practical support that directly serves veterans.

Provide & Serve Meals

Volunteers can provide and serve a meal for our veterans Monday through Friday, throughout the year. These volunteer shifts are typically about two hours long. Premade meals must be prepared in a commercially graded kitchen. If needed, volunteers are welcome to use the kitchen in our Veterans Resource Center to prepare and serve the meal.

Spring & Fall Clean-Up Projects

Seasonal clean-up projects help maintain the Veterans Place campus and create a safe, welcoming environment. Spring clean-up is typically scheduled in mid-April and may include campus beautification activities such as planting flowers. Fall clean-up usually takes place from August through September and offers flexible scheduling based on project needs.

Holiday Gift Sorting & Distribution

During the holiday season, volunteers may assist with sorting and distributing donated gifts. This opportunity typically runs from mid-November through December, with scheduling that can vary depending on donation volume. At times, there may be multiple shifts available in a single day.

Cornhole Classic Event Support

Volunteers can also support special events, including the Cornhole Classic around Labor Day weekend. Event volunteer shifts and locations may vary depending on the event’s needs.

Veterans Day & Other Special Events

Additional one-day volunteer opportunities may be available for special observances and events, including Veterans Day on November 11. Veterans Place also experiences increased demand for volunteer activity during the holiday season due to higher donation volume and seasonal support needs.

Mentorship & Skills-Based Volunteering

Veterans Place welcomes volunteers who want to contribute specialized skills in areas such as mentoring, marketing, IT, and other fields of expertise. Mentorship is a current priority, and volunteers interested in becoming mentors or offering specialized support are encouraged to reach out to start the conversation.

Group Volunteer Opportunities

Group volunteering is encouraged, and Veterans Place welcomes organizations of all sizes. Small groups of 2 to 5 people are often a good fit for many projects, while larger groups of 15 or more can be scheduled for dedicated volunteer days. Group projects may include campus clean-up, landscaping, and support for larger events.

WHAT TO EXPECT BEFORE YOUR FIRST DAY

The volunteer process is designed to be straightforward. Interested volunteers can contact Jacki Pitsch, Operations Coordinator, or call the main office to get started. After that, volunteers should share their interests, availability, and the size of their group. The team will then follow up to coordinate a date and identify the most appropriate volunteer activity. Required forms are completed upon arrival.

Flexible Scheduling for Individuals and Groups

Volunteer opportunities are typically scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Shifts are often offered in 2-, 4-, or 8-hour blocks, depending on the type of support needed and volunteer availability. Group volunteers are scheduled based on the project and group size.

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Volunteer Expectations & Instructions

Volunteers must be 18 years or older, unless accompanied by an adult. All volunteers are required to complete confidentiality and HIPAA-related forms upon arrival, and a social media consent form may also be requested if photos are taken. Volunteers are expected to be respectful of veterans, staff, and the broader community while on campus.

To protect the privacy of the veterans served by Veterans Place, photography is only permitted with prior staff approval. Volunteers must also remain under the supervision of a staff member while on campus.

Volunteers should report to:
Veterans Place of Washington Boulevard
945 Washington Boulevard
Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Parking is available in the back lot, including accessible spaces. Because parking can be limited, larger groups may receive additional arrival instructions, including off-site parking and shuttle transportation when needed.

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The Impact of Volunteering

Volunteer support directly strengthens the daily operations and overall well-being of the veterans served by Veterans Place. Whether someone is helping at the food bank, maintaining the campus, or supporting an event, their time and effort help create a safe, stable, and supportive environment.

“My name is Kate, and I have enjoyed volunteering at the Veterans Place Resource Center Food Bank for the past year or so. I came to Veterans Place as an extension of my late husband’s legacy as a US military veteran. I return because it is like being “on the front porch” with friends — veterans and community members alike — many hands serving one another.”

— Kate, Veterans Place Volunteer

Connecting Veterans to Care, Resources, and Community

Learn more about how the van pick up service where volunteers help veterans obtain support and resources at the Veteran Resource Center where they can shower, eat, and get connected to services, fellow veterans, and more.

FAQs Volunteer

Volunteer opportunities are typically available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Shifts are generally offered in 2-, 4-, 6-, or 8-hour blocks depending on your availability and the type of support needed. Volunteer activity tends to increase during the holiday season, and additional opportunities may be available during special events, including the Cornhole Classic held the day before Labor Day at Acrisure Stadium.

Volunteers should report to Veterans Place, located at 945 Washington Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15206. Parking is available in the back lot, including accessible spaces. Larger volunteer groups may receive additional instructions, such as off-site parking and shuttle transportation, due to limited on-site parking. For questions before arrival, volunteers can contact Jacki Pitsch at jpitsch@veteransplaceusa.org.

Volunteers must be 18 years or older. Upon arrival, all volunteers are required to complete confidentiality and HIPAA-related forms to help protect the privacy of the veterans served. A social media consent form may also be requested if photos are taken. Volunteers are expected to be respectful and mindful, and to be supervised by a staff member while on campus. Photography is only permitted with prior staff approval.

Yes. Veterans Place welcomes both group volunteers and individuals with professional skills. Small groups of 2–5 people are ideal, while larger groups of 15 or more can be scheduled for dedicated project days. Group projects may include campus clean-up, landscaping, or support for large-scale events. Skills-based volunteers may assist with mentoring, marketing, IT, or other areas of expertise. The mentorship program is a current priority and accepts volunteers on a rolling basis. Interested volunteers can contact info@veteransplaceusa.org or reach out to Jacki Pitsch at jpitsch@veteransplaceusa.org or 412-363-0500 x 240.

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Ready to Get Involved?

If you are interested in volunteering, contact Veterans Place to get started. Please include your availability, preferred volunteer activities, and group size. The team is also happy to schedule a call to discuss opportunities in more detail.

For more information, call Jacqueline “Jackie” Pilson, Operations Coordinator at 412-363-0500 x 240 or fill out our form.

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