Volunteer With CHS

Your time and care can make a meaningful difference for individuals and families across Monterey County. Volunteers help CHS create safe, welcoming, and supportive spaces for people accessing care, stability, recovery, and housing support.

Volunteer opportunities vary by program need, site capacity, schedule, and safety requirements. CHS staff will help identify an appropriate fit based on current needs and your availability.

Ways to Volunteer

CHS offers volunteer opportunities based on current program needs, site capacity, scheduling, and safety requirements. Opportunities may include recurring shifts, one-time projects, group volunteer days, donation drives, meal support, and other approved activities.

Because CHS serves people in sensitive situations, volunteers receive clear guidance before they begin. Volunteers support CHS staff, follow site instructions, respect privacy, and stay within their approved role. Volunteers do not provide counseling, case management, childcare, medical care, crisis response, eligibility decisions, or transportation. Volunteers also may not photograph, record, post about, or share private information about people receiving services.

There is a three-month commitment requirement for volunteers.

How to Get Started

1. Review Current Opportunities
   Look through the available volunteer roles and identify one that interests you.
2. Ask About Availability
   Contact CHS to confirm that the opportunity is currently available and discuss location, schedule, and next steps.
3. Complete Application and Onboarding
   Once an opportunity is confirmed, CHS will provide the volunteer application and explain any required screening, fingerprinting, orientation, certification, or role-specific training.
4. Begin Volunteering
   Once approved, volunteers receive site-specific instructions before starting.

Volunteer Opportunities

Current volunteer opportunities are listed below. Availability may vary by location, schedule, and program need.

Kitchen Volunteer

Locations: Shuman HeartHouse and Casa de Noche Buena
Help with meal preparation, serving, organizing kitchen supplies, light cleanup, and other approved meal-related activities.

Gardening and Beautification Volunteer

Locations: Shuman HeartHouse, Casa de Noche Buena, SHARE Center, and Family Service Center Seaside
Help keep CHS outdoor spaces clean, welcoming, and well maintained through activities such as planting, weeding, watering, light landscaping, and general beautification.

Shelter Support Volunteer

Locations: Shuman HeartHouse and Casa de Noche Buena
Assist CHS staff with approved day-to-day shelter activities such as organizing common areas, restocking supplies, supporting meals or activities, and helping maintain welcoming shared spaces.

Events and Special Projects

Locations: Varies
Support community events, seasonal projects, donation drives, group volunteer days, and other short-term needs as opportunities become available.

Volunteer Safety and Privacy

Because CHS serves people in sensitive situations, volunteers receive clear guidance before they begin. Volunteers support CHS staff, follow site instructions, respect privacy, and stay within their approved role.

Volunteers do not provide counseling, case management, childcare, medical care, crisis response, eligibility decisions, or transportation.

Volunteers may not photograph, record, post about, or share private information about people receiving services.

Ready to Volunteer?

View available opportunities or contact our Donor Relations Manager to learn more.

Lidia Wilding
(831) 658-3811
lwilding@chservices.org

Complete Application and Onboarding

Once an opportunity is confirmed, CHS will provide the volunteer application and explain any required screening, fingerprinting, orientation, certification, or role-specific training.