Get Involved

Volunteer with Friendship House in Wilmington, Delaware

Your time and presence can change lives. Friendship House connects volunteers with meaningful opportunities across our programs — from the Clothing Bank of Delaware to Code Purple winter shelter. Find your place on our team.

For more than five decades, Friendship House has stood at the intersection of community need and community generosity in Wilmington, Delaware. Our programs — the Clothing Bank of Delaware, the Day Center, the Newark Empowerment Center, and our Code Purple emergency winter shelter — depend every single day on the people who show up to help.

Volunteers are not an add-on to what we do. They are the core of how we do it. Each year, hundreds of Delaware residents donate thousands of hours — sorting clothing donations, preparing meals, sitting with someone in crisis, mentoring a neighbor through a difficult chapter. That work is irreplaceable. No grant, no budget line can substitute for a person who chooses to be present.

Whether you have two hours on a Saturday or a standing weekly commitment, whether you are coming alone or bringing a group of twenty, Friendship House has a role for you. Read through the opportunities below, then reach out to our volunteer coordinator to get started.

Current Volunteer Opportunities

All Friendship House volunteer opportunities are located in Wilmington or Newark, Delaware. Shifts are available on weekdays and selected weekends depending on the program. See individual listings for scheduling details.

Clothing Bank of Delaware — Sorting & Client Assistance

Available: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

The Clothing Bank of Delaware provides free clothing to individuals and families in need across New Castle County. Volunteers play a hands-on role in every step of the operation: receiving and sorting incoming donations, organizing inventory by size and category, preparing items for display, and assisting clients as they select clothing during appointment hours.

This is a physical, high-energy volunteer role. You will be on your feet, lifting bags of donations, and working alongside a small but dedicated team. No experience is needed — just a willingness to work and a warm attitude toward clients who may be going through a difficult time. Morning and afternoon shifts are available Monday through Thursday. Volunteers typically work two-to-three hour shifts.

Best fit for: Individuals who enjoy hands-on work, people with retail or thrift-store experience, those who want regular, recurring shifts.

Day Center Support — Meals, Front Desk & Community Activities

Available: Weekdays

Friendship House's Day Center in Wilmington provides a safe, welcoming space for adults experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Volunteers support the Day Center in three main ways: meal preparation and service, front desk support, and facilitating community activities.

Meal prep and service volunteers arrive in the morning to help prepare and serve hot lunch. No culinary training is required — our staff lead the kitchen and volunteers assist with prep, portioning, and cleanup. This is one of the most in-demand volunteer slots and is an excellent entry point for first-time volunteers.

Front desk volunteers greet guests, assist with sign-in, answer questions, and help direct clients to services and case management staff. You are often the first friendly face someone sees when they walk through our door — a role that matters more than it might sound.

Community activity facilitators lead or co-lead scheduled activities — art workshops, reading groups, life skills sessions, wellness programs — that help clients maintain routine, build skills, and stay connected to the community. If you have a skill to share, we want to hear about it.

Best fit for: Those interested in direct client interaction, anyone with culinary, social work, or teaching backgrounds, and people seeking a consistent weekday commitment.

Newark Empowerment Center — Mentoring, Workshops & Outreach

Available: Weekdays and selected evenings

The Newark Empowerment Center serves the Newark, Delaware community with case management, empowerment programming, and connections to essential resources. Volunteer opportunities here tend to be more skill-based and relationship-focused than at the Clothing Bank.

Mentoring: Volunteers are matched with clients working toward specific goals — stable housing, employment, educational attainment, or personal stability. Mentoring is a longer-term commitment (we ask for at least three months) and involves regular one-on-one meetings, encouragement, and helping clients navigate systems and paperwork. Background checks are required for mentoring roles.

Workshop facilitation: Our Newark programming includes regular workshops on topics like budgeting, job readiness, digital literacy, and health and wellness. If you have professional expertise in any of these areas — or others — we welcome proposals for new workshop topics. Sessions run one to two hours and can be one-time or a series.

Community outreach: Volunteers help staff outreach events in Newark neighborhoods, distributing information about Friendship House services, connecting people with resources, and reducing barriers for people who may not walk through our doors on their own.

Best fit for: Professionals with transferable skills, University of Delaware students and faculty, people interested in sustained relationship-based volunteering.

Code Purple Winter Shelter — Overnight Staffing & Meal Service

Available: November through March (temperature-activated)

Code Purple is Delaware's emergency cold weather protocol, activated when overnight temperatures drop below 28°F or when wind chill creates life-threatening conditions for unsheltered individuals. During Code Purple activations, Friendship House opens overflow shelter space to ensure no one in Wilmington has to sleep outside in dangerous cold.

Code Purple volunteers provide overnight supervision, welcoming guests, distributing blankets and hygiene supplies, serving an evening meal, and maintaining a safe, calm environment through the night. Shifts typically run from 8:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Volunteers are not alone — staff are always present to handle any situations that require intervention.

This is one of our most impactful — and most memorable — volunteer experiences. Volunteers consistently describe Code Purple shifts as among the most meaningful things they have done. It is also an opportunity to understand homelessness in a direct, human way that changes how you see your community.

Because activations depend on weather, Code Purple volunteers must be reachable on short notice (24-48 hours). We maintain a list of available volunteers and call on people based on scheduling availability. The more volunteers we have on the roster, the better we can staff each activation.

Best fit for: Individuals comfortable with overnight schedules, faith communities looking for group service opportunities in winter, people who want to respond to acute need.

Special Events — Seasonal Drives, Community Meals & Holiday Programs

Available: Throughout the year

Friendship House holds several community events throughout the year that rely heavily on volunteer support. These include seasonal clothing and supply drives, community meals, and holiday gift and meal programs that serve individuals and families connected to our programs.

Special events are an excellent starting point for people new to volunteering with us, or for groups that want a one-time, high-impact experience. Event shifts are typically two to four hours, involve clear tasks with direct supervision, and require minimal advance training.

To be notified of upcoming events and volunteer needs, reach out to our volunteer coordinator (contact information below) and ask to be added to our events list. We send notice two to four weeks before each event.

Best fit for: First-time volunteers, families with older children (ages 14+ for most events), corporate and community groups, individuals with limited recurring availability.

How to Sign Up to Volunteer

Getting started is straightforward. We do not use an online application form — we have found that a direct conversation leads to much better matches between volunteers and opportunities.

Email Our Volunteer Coordinator

Send us a brief note with your name, availability, and which program areas interest you most. We respond within two business days.

[email protected]

Call Us Directly

Prefer to talk? Call during business hours (Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.) and ask for the volunteer coordinator.

(302) 652-8133

Visit in Person

You are welcome to stop by and speak with staff in person. We are located at:

1503 W 13th St.
Wilmington, DE 19806

After your initial contact, we will schedule a brief orientation — typically 30 to 45 minutes — where you will learn about Friendship House's programs, our expectations for volunteers, and how to navigate the spaces where you will be working. Orientations are held on a rolling basis; you won't wait more than a week or two to get started.

What to Expect as a Friendship House Volunteer

Orientation and Training

All new volunteers complete an orientation before their first shift. Orientation covers Friendship House's mission and history, client confidentiality expectations, basic trauma-informed communication principles, and a walkthrough of the physical space where you will volunteer. Role-specific training (food handling, clothing bank procedures, shelter protocols) is provided on-site before your first shift in that area.

Trauma-Informed Environment

Friendship House is a trauma-informed organization. Many of the individuals we serve have experienced significant hardship — poverty, domestic violence, mental health crises, substance use challenges, and more. We train all volunteers in basic trauma-informed principles: using welcoming language, respecting boundaries, not making assumptions about someone's situation, and knowing when to involve staff. This is not about being clinical — it is about being human and respectful in ways that many of our clients have not always experienced.

Staff Support

Volunteers at Friendship House are never working alone in ambiguous situations. Staff members are always on-site and available to handle complex client needs, conflicts, or medical situations. Your job is to be present, helpful, and kind — not to be a case manager or crisis responder. We will always make sure you know who to go to when something is outside your role.

Scheduling

We work with your schedule, not against it. Most volunteer roles allow you to sign up for shifts that fit your week. We ask that volunteers commit to a shift and show up as scheduled — reliability is essential when clients and staff are counting on coverage. If something comes up, please notify us as early as possible so we can arrange coverage.

Dress Code

Comfortable, practical clothing is appropriate for most volunteer roles. Closed-toe shoes are required in the Clothing Bank. For Day Center and shelter roles, business casual or casual clothing is fine. Avoid clothing with offensive language or imagery. If you are unsure, ask your volunteer coordinator in advance.

Group Volunteer Opportunities

Friendship House welcomes groups of all kinds — faith communities, corporate teams, student organizations, and neighborhood associations. Group volunteering is one of the most effective ways to build team culture while making a genuine difference in Wilmington.

Faith Communities

Several of our affiliated faith communities in Wilmington and Newark organize regular volunteer days with Friendship House as part of their service commitments. If your congregation wants to establish a service relationship with us — whether through a quarterly Clothing Bank day, a Code Purple partnership, or annual events — reach out to our volunteer coordinator to discuss what a sustained partnership might look like.

Corporate and Professional Groups

Corporate volunteer days at Friendship House typically involve Clothing Bank sorting and organization projects that can accommodate groups of 8 to 20 people. We will work with your team to design a meaningful, productive half-day or full-day experience. Corporate groups are welcome to bring signage and take photos (with staff approval) for internal communications — we simply ask that no images of clients are shared publicly.

Student and University Groups

We have a long history of partnership with University of Delaware student organizations, Widener University, and Delaware Tech. Student groups can engage through one-time service days, semester-long commitments, and internship arrangements in some program areas. If you are a student looking for service hours for a class, an organization, or honor society requirements, we can provide documentation of your service. Contact us with details about your requirements.

Scheduling Group Visits

Group visits require advance scheduling — please contact us at least three weeks before your preferred date. Groups of 10 or more should email [email protected] with the group size, preferred dates, and any accessibility needs. We will do our best to accommodate your group's schedule and goals.

Volunteer Frequently Asked Questions

What are the age requirements for volunteering?

Volunteers must be at least 16 years old to volunteer independently at Friendship House. Volunteers ages 16–17 require a signed parental consent form. Children under 16 may participate in special events only when accompanied at all times by a parent or guardian. For overnight Code Purple shifts, the minimum age is 18.

Do I need a background check?

Background checks are required for volunteers in mentoring roles at the Newark Empowerment Center, and for any role that involves one-on-one interactions with minors. Clothing Bank, Day Center meal prep, and special event roles do not currently require a background check. If your role requires one, we will walk you through the process — it is straightforward and low-cost (or no cost, depending on the role).

How many hours do I need to commit?

There is no minimum hour requirement for most volunteer roles. However, we ask that you commit to the shifts you sign up for and give adequate notice if something changes. For mentoring roles, we ask for a minimum three-month commitment with regular contact. For special events, a single shift is fine. Recurring volunteers who establish a regular schedule are our most valued and relied-upon contributors.

Is there a minimum shift length?

Most shifts run two to four hours. We find that shorter visits, while appreciated, can disrupt the flow of client services more than they contribute. Orientation shifts are typically 30–45 minutes on top of your first service shift. Plan for at least a half-day for your first visit.

Can I volunteer if I do not speak English fluently?

Yes. We welcome volunteers who speak Spanish, Haitian Creole, or other languages spoken by members of our client community. Bilingual volunteers are especially helpful in client-facing roles where language access is a barrier. Please let us know your language capabilities when you reach out.

Do you provide documentation of volunteer hours?

Yes. If you need documentation of your hours for a class, employer, court requirement, or other purpose, let your volunteer coordinator know at the start of your service. We maintain accurate records and can provide signed letters or fill out standard verification forms.

What if I want to volunteer but am not sure where to start?

Contact our volunteer coordinator and just tell us that. We will ask a few questions about your schedule, interests, and any relevant skills, and we will suggest the role that seems like the best fit. Most people find their niche quickly, and many of our most dedicated long-term volunteers started by saying exactly that.

The Difference Volunteers Make

It can be easy to underestimate the impact of a few volunteer hours. Here is the reality at Friendship House: our operating model is built on the premise that community members will show up. Without volunteers, we could not operate at anywhere near the current scale of our programs.

At the Clothing Bank of Delaware, the mathematics are straightforward — processing the volume of incoming donations required to serve hundreds of clients each month requires far more labor than our paid staff can provide alone. Volunteers add the capacity that makes the throughput possible. When fewer volunteers show up, wait times for clients increase and inventory processing falls behind.

In the Day Center, volunteer presence changes the atmosphere. When our guests see community members choosing to be there — not because they are paid to, not because they have to, but because they want to — it communicates something powerful: that they are worth someone's time. That message is not a small thing for people who have experienced chronic marginalization.

At the Newark Empowerment Center, mentoring relationships have demonstrably helped clients achieve housing stability, employment, and educational goals that case management alone does not always reach. The consistency of a trusted, supportive relationship — showing up week after week — produces outcomes that no service system can replicate.

And during Code Purple activations, volunteer presence is the difference between a shelter being able to open at all. No volunteers, no shelter. It is that direct.

We do not share client stories without explicit consent, and we do not use impact statistics we cannot verify. What we can tell you is this: every person who has volunteered with Friendship House and stayed long enough to see the full arc of a client's journey has come away changed. The work is real, the need is real, and the community you join when you walk through our doors is genuine.

When you are ready, we would be glad to have you. Reach out to our volunteer coordinator at [email protected] or call (302) 652-8133.