Goose Hollow Family Shelter

Providing a temporary safe haven to families without homes

Goose Hollow Family Shelter
c/o First United Methodist Church
1838 SW Jefferson St
Portland, OR, 97201

503-228-3195 x215

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Volunteer with Us!

Click Here to Sign Up to Volunteer

Since 1994 we have provided temporary emergency shelter to families with children in the downtown Portland area during the cold winter months. Capacity at the Shelter is 24 people, or 8 families. Last year, the Goose Hollow Family Shelter helped over 55 families find shelter during the cold winter months.

We make a difference in the lives of families with children because of you!

Volunteers, download the Volunteer Manual here

Volunteer Roles

The following volunteer opportunities are available every night from November 1 through April 30:

MEAL PROVIDER (6:30-8:00 p.m.)

    A Special Note for our Meal Providers

    Out of consideration for the health of our guests, we are requesting that Meal Providers please refrain from bringing dessert items for dinner -- or that they replace normal desserts with healthier alternatives. Considering bringing cookies, cakes, pies, brownies, soda, or ice cream? Our families would love fresh fruit, vegetables, or yogurt instead. Parents often find it difficult to restrict their children's sugar intake when there is so much available, and our experience shows that our kids will eat things like pineapple, carrot sticks, and raisins just as quickly and happily as less nutritious fare. By working together to provide healthy alternatives, we will be supporting families during a particularly vulnerable time. Thank you for your generosity, and for cooking up such delicious meals night after night!

Providing a nutritious dinner each evening is a valuable contribution for families after a long day. Volunteers who bring our dinner meal find this is a fun way to interact with parents and children and to better acquaint volunteers with the shelter operation. We invite you to come eat with our families and volunteers.

OVERNIGHT HOSTS (8:00 p.m. - 7:30 a.m.)

Overnight hosts may arrive between 7:00 and 8:00 pm each evening to greet parents and children, assist families with personal needs, spend the night, and then wake them in the morning for a continental breakfast before they leave for school, work or SafeHaven.

HELPING HAND (6:30-9:30 p.m.)

Being one of our helping hands is an easy way to become more familiar with the shelter, and also an excellent first step to hosting overnight. Helping hands help facilitate a welcoming atmosphere for families as you accompany guests while doing laundry, helping to organize donations and assisting with special projects.

KID TIME HOST (6:30-9:30 p.m.)

If you enjoy interacting with children we would love to have you come spend the evening. We find that providing nightly structured kid-friendly play, crafts, or stoytime is a fun way to engage the children after dinner and give parents a bit of a break.

Click here to Sign Up to Volunteer

-or-

Download the Volunteer Disclosure Form here