We cannot operate without our volunteers! ​

Our prayer every season is that homeless women in Champaign County will find a warm, safe place to stay in Austin’s Place, and that God will provide us with the volunteers needed to keep Austin’s Place open each night during the coldest part of winter. It's because of you, our faithful volunteers, that this is possible. We greatly appreciate you and are asking for your support again this coming season.

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 Interested in volunteering?
We have a variety of volunteer opportunities!

STAY OVERNIGHT 
We need overnight volunteers to stay overnight. Each evening - from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. - two volunteers stay at the shelter. We try to match new volunteers with experienced volunteers. Volunteers set up a check-in table, put out snacks/drinks for the guests, check-in guests, and assist in setting up the sleeping area.  Lights are out from 10 p.m. until 6:30 a.m. Volunteers can bring computers, reading material, puzzles, etc., and may sleep in shifts, but one volunteer must be awake at all times. In the morning, volunteers prepare coffee/tea, offer snacks, and assist the guests as they leave the shelter to go by van to Illinois Terminal. Being an overnight volunteer is a great experience in helping people, providing a valuable service to our community!

DRIVE GUESTS
We need volunteers to drive our guests in the evenings and some mornings. Volunteers drive our van from First United Methodist Church in the evening at 8:00 p.m.  to Courage Connection to pick up the  guests and bring them to the shelter.  In the morning on weekends, at 7:00 a.m., the van driver leaves First United Methodist Church with our guests and takes them to the Bus Terminal. 

WASH LAUNDRY 
We need volunteers to help us keep Austin's Place clean. Volunteers come to Austin’s Place once a week to pick up laundry and laundry detergent, do the laundry off-site at their home or a laundromat, and return the clean laundry to Austin’s Place that week. We regularly wash sheets, pillow cases, washcloths, towels, blankets and occasionally comforters. 

DONATIONS
We also have opportunities for assisting our Donations Coordinator solicit and pick up donations. We also welcome donated goods and monetary donations. See our Donations Appreciated page for more information.