Volunteer

Help us provide a meaningful voice for youth experiencing trauma and crisis and ensure that all youth are safe, healthy, independent, successful and valued. Pathfinders offers many volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups to make a positive impact. Positions offer varying levels of time commitments ranging from one-time projects to ongoing, scheduled positions.

Group Volunteer Opportunities

For specific project suggestions and our most up-to-date needs, please visit our Volunteers United Page.

Fundraising Events

Spread Pathfinders’ mission and host your own fundraising event to support the nearly 7,000 youth we service annually. We can provide you with all of the tools and support you need to advance our incredible mission of Empowering Youth – Changing Lives!

SUBMIT AN EVENT APPLICATION

In-Kind Donations & Drives

There are a number of ongoing, urgent and one-time needs for youth experiencing homelessness – clothing, hygiene items, holiday gifts, school supplies, etc. We will work with you to determine the best time and most needed items for conducting a drive. And we can advise on safe collection and drop-off methods.

SUBMIT AN IN-KIND DRIVE APPLICATION

Youth Meals

We provide our lunches to our youth and young adults Tuesday-Friday, and hot dinners on Wednesdays and Fridays. Our lunches are served in grab-n-go style and dinners can either be dropped off or served in-person. We offer our dinner meal donors the opportunity to serve their dinner in person and sit down with our youth and young adults to enjoy the meal they have prepared.

Sign up for available dates here. Reach out community@pathfindersmke.org with any questions.

Group Projects

Pathfinders is able to host groups for volunteer projects such as meal prep, hygiene kit packing, donation organizing and more. If you have a group (corporate, neighborhood, family, etc.) that would like to support us in this way, please reach out!

Please note: due to space we cannot host more than 15 volunteers at a time.

SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR YOUR GROUP

Volunteer Application

Ongoing Individual Volunteer Positions

All volunteer position applicants are required to:

1. Complete Pathfinders’ online volunteer application

2. Complete an interview with the Volunteer & Community Engagement Manager

3. Complete all necessary personal paperwork

4. Return three completed reference forms

5. Pass background checks and Milwaukee County Caregiver approval

Applicants seeking Master’s level internships and applicants that have lived outside the state of Wisconsin within the last 3 years will need to schedule and complete a fingerprint background check that will be coordinated by Pathfinders.

6. Attend the intern and volunteer orientation

Emergency Youth Shelter

Assistant Advocate

Assistant Advocates assist with the needs of its residents and maintain the high level of care provided to youth at our Shelter. Under staff supervision, Assistant Advocates have direct and constant one-on-one interaction with the residents and provide them with a positive role model. A three-month commitment to work one 4 ½-hour shift per week is required.

Responsibilities:

Answer phones, provide information and crisis counseling.
Complete intakes and resident orientations.
Participate in daily groups.
Assist staff with general house management.

Qualifications:

Be 20 years old or older.
Possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
Have experience or interest in working with teens and their families.
Ability to work cooperatively with paid staff and accept supervision.

Fill out a Volunteer Application

Learn more about the Youth Shelter

Youth Drop-In Center

Program Assistant

Drop-In Center Program Assistants build relationships and provide positive role models for Drop-In Center youth members. They supervise and interact with the youth and assist staff with day-to-day Drop management.