Volunteer - Peer Mentor

Purpose:
To provide encouragement, guidance, and lived-experience support to shelter residents as they work toward personal goals, housing stability, and reintegration into the community.

Key Responsibilities:

• Build supportive, respectful relationships with shelter residents
• Share appropriate personal experiences to inspire and motivate others
• Offer informal guidance around life skills, recovery, job readiness, or goal setting
• Support residents in navigating shelter rules, resources, and community services
• Attend scheduled peer meetings, support groups, or life skills workshops as needed
• Maintain appropriate boundaries and uphold confidentiality
• Communicate regularly with shelter staff about concerns or progress, while respecting resident privacy

Qualifications:

• Lived experience with homelessness, recovery, or housing instability (preferred but not required)
• Strong listening, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Nonjudgmental, compassionate, and trauma-informed approach
• Willingness to complete agency training in peer support and shelter procedures
• Ability to model positive behavior, stability, and personal accountability
• Must be at least 21 years old

Time Commitment:
2–4 hours per week, flexible based on resident needs and shelter schedule.

Training Provided:
All peer mentors will receive training in trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, boundary setting, and shelter operations.

Impact:
As a Peer Mentor, you help build a sense of trust and possibility, empowering shelter residents to move forward with hope and confidence.