COTS benefits from over 50,000 hours of volunteer service each year. Here are just a few of our volunteers.

COTS is strongly supported by the people of Sonoma County and works cooperatively with numerous social service providers in our region. We provide initial traing and on-going volunteer support.

Click here to volunteer or call 707-765-6530 x111.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
 

CALLING ALL COMMUNITY MEMBERS who would love to share
some time providing enrichment activities to homeless children
residing in our Family Center. WE NEED YOU!

We have recently restructured our children’s program and have the
following volunteer opportunities available. Childcare experience or
a background in childhood education is a plus, but not required.
We are hoping to fill these volunteer positions by the end of June,
so please take a look!

Opportunities include:

  • Afternoon Care and Workshop Facilitators – Community volunteers are needed to provide support and guidance to children of all ages through art making, tutoring, educational workshops and other fun activities. Volunteers will have staff support and supervision and will receive training. Must be 18 years or older and complete fingerprinting screening. (Monday through Thursday 2:30 to 6:00pm.)
  • Evening Read A-loud – While parents tend to evening chores and duties, community volunteers are needed to read to young children and help them wind down for bedtime.

Must be 18 years or older and complete fingerprinting screening. (Monday through Thursday, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.)

Orientations scheduled for Friday June 13th, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and
Saturday June 28th, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the COTS Family Center,
1500 Petaluma Blvd.S., Suite B. Please contact Margo Enos for more information at 971-0017 or Email.

The Family Connection (up to 35- 40 families served)

  • Family Support Team Member
    As part of a team of 3 to 5 volunteers, you will create a support network for a family in your community that is transitioning out of homelessness. Volunteers commit to working with their team and family for one year. Volunteer time, throughout the year, averages about 2 hours per week. There is also a monthly meeting with the family, the entire team and the supervising Family Support Coordinator.

Petaluma Kitchen (emergency food distribution) - 301 Payran Street, Petaluma 778-6380
Desire to drink coffee and nibble on day-old pastries welcomed, but not required. We are looking for regularity in scheduling as well as folks able to be ‘on-call.’ Periodic or occasional volunteers also welcome. Hours run from 7:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every day.

  • Morning drivers - Pick up food donations at local grocery stores and deliver to Kitchen. Must have a valid driver’s license and insurance. (7:30 to 9:30 a.m. daily)
  • Cooks, Prep Cooks, Servers and Soup Stirrers (8:00 to11:30 a.m. daily)
  • Clean Up – Dishwashers and more. (11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. daily)
  • Donation Organizers -Help sort donated food. (8:00 to 10:00 a.m. daily)
  • Food Drive Coordinators – Plan and carry out a food drive to stock our shelves!
  • Food For Families - Every Saturday morning we deliver groceries to low and fixed income families, seniors and others in our community.
  1. Drivers - Must have valid driver’s license and proof of insurance. (9:00 to 11:00 a.m.)
  2. Food Box Packers (7:00 to 9:00 a.m.)
  3. Senior Center Volunteer - Help distribute food at the Senior Center. (10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., second Saturday of each month)

Center for Homeless Children and Their Families (35 beds/children and adults)

  • Afternoon Care and Workshop Facilitators – Community volunteers are needed to provide support and guidance to children of all ages through art making, tutoring, educational workshops and other fun activities. Volunteers will have staff support and supervision and will receive training. Assistance with homework may also be requested. Must be 18 years or older and complete fingerprinting screening. (Monday through Thursday 2:30 to 6:00pm.)
  • Evening Read A-loud – While parents tend to evening chores and duties, community volunteers are needed to read to young children and help them wind down for bedtime. Must be 18 years or older and complete fingerprinting screening.
    (Monday through Thursday, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.)
  • Mentoring for Rent Right Program
    Nine week program for 2-3 hours on Monday evenings. Assist and support clients in this finance and rent-a-home program.
  • Meals
    Prepare meals in your home and deliver to class location for Rent Right and Kids First parents and kids, Monday and/or Thursday evenings, for 30 people.
  • Office Assistant/Receptionist
    Answer phones and light office work, Fridays 2:00 to 6:00, and as back-up for sick days and vacation days. Must be 21 years or older.
  • Holiday Helpers
    • Adopt a shelter family, just one person, or an entire transitional house for the holidays! Wide range of opportunities, from putting together holiday food boxes to providing gifts or decorations.
    • Pick up and deliver holiday donations. Must have valid driver’s license and proof of insurance.

Shared Housing for Families (12 homes/families)

  • Adopt-A-House or Room within the house. Make it a cheery place for children to stabilize and families to enjoy.
  • Landscape front or back yard - Kid friendly, low maintenance, water saving landscape. Mary Isaak Center (100 beds/adults only) NOTE: Minimum age for volunteers is 21 years old unless there are special circumstances.

Mary Isaak Center for Single Adults

(emergency shelter for up to 6 months for single adults, plus transitional housing.)

  • Computer Lab Volunteer - Monitor Computer Lab and assist residents to use computers to access Internet, e-mail, and basic word processing.
  • Workshop Facilitators
    Give small group workshops to single residents on a number of useful topics, including:
    • Getting a CA ID and DMV Licensing - Women’s Support Group
    • Getting Income Benefits for Disabilities - Men’s Support Group
    • Applying for CMSP/Medical - Creative Arts and/or Music
    • Effective Communication Skills - Personal Improvement (i.e. meditation exercise
    • Anger Management nutrition and diet, dance, personal image)
  • Work Right™ Mentors
    Assist and support singles who are in job search to create a resume and cover letter, mock interviewing, dress for success, making cold calls to employers, contract negotiation, job retention coaching.
  • Adult Literacy
    Help another adult with reading and writing skills. Training provided through Sonoma County Adult
    Literacy Program.
  • Maintenance, Painting, Gardening
    Routine or as needed general building maintenance including plumbing, HVAC, electric, painting,
    landscaping, and pruning.
  • Adopt a Transitional Housing Room - Paint and decorate a dorm to make it cozy and homey for single residents.
Overall
  • Drivers - Must have valid driver’s license and proof of insurance.
  • Client Appointment Drivers - Drive homeless families or singles to various appointments; some weekend or evening hours.
  • Donation Pick-up and Delivery – On call drivers to pick up and deliver donated items. Some heavy lifting involved.
  • Truck Drivers - Individuals with trucks to haul pieces of furniture to various sites including the dump. Minimum age for this position is 26 years old and must have a vehicle.
  • Office Workers - Work in the administrative offices, the Center for Homeless Children and their Families, or the Mary Isaak Center. May involve data base work, phone reception duties, light office or filing work. Minimum age for this position is 21 years old to work independently.
  • Auto Technicians - Help maintain or repair client vehicles.
  • Hair Stylists - Periodically provide hair cutting/styling sessions to clients (children and adults).

Project Ideas For Groups and Youth (schools, churches, clubs, businesses, neighborhoods, etc.)

  • Donation drive. We will provide you with our latest wish list for donations!
  • Fund-raising drive. Some ideas are:
    • The Human Race
    • Walk-a-thon, Lap-a-thon, Bike-a-thon, Jump Rope-a-thon
    • Car Wash - Raffle - Coin Banks
    • Bake Sale - Silent Auction - Rummage Sale

Click here to volunteer or call 707-765-6530 x111.