Opportunities From: Volunteers United

Help Hope House collect donated school supplies this August at Irish Fest! Every year Irish Fest generously hosts a school supply drive for us on their opening evening, we're looking for small teams to help us accept and organize school supplies! All volunteers get free Irish Fest entry before/after their shift.

Have your team join Hope House of Milwaukee's neighborhood clean-up! This opportunity is focused on the Walkers Point neighborhood surrounding Hope House. Help us be great neighbors while learning more about Hope House's work to end homelessness and ensure everyone has access to stable, healthy housing. Tours of Hope House will be offered. Please dress for the weather!

We are looking for teams from 5-40 people during the week of April 20-24, between the hours of 8am-5pm.

Help weed, clean, and plant in Hope House's backyard - After being closed to clients due to a program partners' space needs, we are reopening Hope House's backyard to make a peaceful, restorative space for families staying at Hope House's shelter. Looking for groups who want to get their hands dirty and are open to gardeners who want to lend their vision for a welcoming space!

We are able to work with your group's schedule during a weekday between May 4th - June 5th, 3-5 hours. Group sizes 5-20 welcome. Volunteers will help transform a small space with major needs. Tasks include weeding, repairing garden beds, potentially spot painting, laying mulch and soil and planting. We anticipate having donated plants and materials but welcome gardeners with their own vision and plants to spare as well!

Have your team join Hope House of Milwaukee to spruce up the St. Catherine's Residence and the surrounding neighborhood! This opportunity is focused on the St. Catherine's Residence on Milwaukee's east side. The St. Catherine of Hope Residence serves women and families with a mix of naturally occurring affordable housing and subsidized units for those who have previously experienced homelessness. Home to more than two hundred residents, St. Catherine’s is not only a safe and sable housing option but an enduring community of women.

Tasks will include light painting and cleaning/repair projects inside St. Catherine's and a neighborhood clean-up in the blocks surrounding. Help us be great neighbors while learning more about Hope House's work to end homelessness and ensure everyone has access to stable, healthy housing. Tours of St. Catherine's will be offered. Please dress for the weather!

Host a Move-In Kit Drive at your workplace, place of worship, or school and help families moving from homelessness to housing. A Move-In Kit can include:

However, there is no wrong recipe for a Move-In Kit. All household items are welcome and help families establish a fresh start. Please note that Hope House cannot accept furniture or large appliances due to limited capacity.

Why Your Drive Matters

At 6 years old, a significant portion of Brielle’s experience included being homeless. Brielle’s family had been without housing for a year, doubling up with family and friends and when that was no longer an option, staying in emergency shelters before being connected with Hope House and moving into an apartment. Shortly after Brielle’s family moved into the apartment, their Case Manager, Leslie, visited with a move-in kit of household items and cleaning supplies. Something case managers at Hope House can do with the support of your donations.

Brielle excitedly greeted Leslie, gave her a big hug, and as her family went through the supplies, she found the dish detergent and said excitedly, “and now we get to wash our own dishes!” Brielle’s excitement for a task many take for granted is a reminder of the power of your support - providing stability, dignity, and the comfort of home to families.

How to Host a Drive

Hosting a drive is easy and you know your community best. We suggest having solid start and end dates for taking collections, sharing stories like the one above, and leaning into the strengths of your workplace, place of worship, or community. Hope House can provide signs and speak to your group (when available). We do ask that donations be dropped off at Hope House (209 W. Orchard St., Milwaukee, WI) at the end of the drive as we have limited capacity for pick-ups. Schedule drop off in advance and we'll be happy to give you a tour and share more of the amazing work being done together!