Get Involved

We have opportunities for you or your group to volunteer with us and truly make a difference in our community.

Volunteer With Us

At Friends Association, we believe that we build unity with our families through collective care and community impact. Our dedicated volunteers are crucial to the success of Friends Association, and many serve in key roles within the organization. If you are interested in learning how to become a volunteer at Friends Association, please use the link below to fill out our volunteer interest form or email Karina Olmeda at k.olmeda@friendsassoc.org.

Meals that Matter
Homemade Welcome

Homemade Welcome is an opportunity where community members provide homemade meals for families who have recently moved into our shelter. By preparing and sharing a nourishing meal, volunteers help create a sense of comfort and belonging during a time of transition.

Meals that Matter
Sweet Celebrations

Sweet Celebrations is a volunteer opportunity that helps make birthdays extra special far children in our shelter. Volunteers can sign up to bake and decorate a cake or cupcakes, adding a homemade touch to their celebration.

Meals that Matter
Pantry Packs

Pantry Packs provide families in our programs with nonperishable food kits to support them during their stay and beyond. Volunteers can sign up to assemble meal kits filled with essential pantry staples, ensuring families have easy-to-prepare, nourishing meals on hand.

Preparing Our Spaces

A lot of work goes into making sure our spaces are ready for families experiencing homelessness. Our Turnover Team helps us get apartments ready for new families at the Family Center – helping with deep cleaning, stocking the kitchen and bathroom, and setting up bedrooms. Our Maintenance Crew helps us maintain the indoor/outdoor spaces at the Friends Office and Family Center. Volunteers assist with weeding, planting, debris clean up, painting and more.

General & Corporate Opportunities

We also have General Opportunities available for volunteers who would like to be made aware of volunteer opportunities that arise at Friends Association outside of what is listed above.

Are you a Corporate Partner interested in learning more about how to get your group involved? Reach out and we can get your group volunteering with us!

Interested in Volunteering with Friends Association? Please fill out the Volunteer Interest Form. A staff member will contact you shortly to discuss volunteer opportunities. Thank you for your interest!

In-Kind Donations

Thank you for considering an in-kind donation! Without donors like you, we couldn’t carry out our mission as effectively or broadly. Your support allows us to serve families and fulfill their immediate and ongoing needs. Most of our families are starting completely fresh. We combine many resources to set them up comfortably in their new homes. We appreciate donations from our community and also find it effective to rely on partner agencies throughout Chester County.

We accept donations at our office during business hours and can only accept items listed below. Contact us with questions and please do not leave donations on our porch unless arrangements have been made to do so.

Paper Products

Paper towels, Toilet Paper, Tissues, Feminine Hygiene Products, Baby Diapers (most needed sizes: 4, 5 & 6) & Wipes

Cleaning Supplies

Mops & Brooms, Toilet Bowl Plungers, Cleanters, & Brushes, Lysol Multi-Surface, Windex Anti-bacterial, Kitchen Sponges, Dishwashing Liquid, Hand Soap, Pop-Up Laundry Detergent, Large Trash Bags, Dust Pans, Disinfecting Wipes

Kitchen Items
(New or Lightly Used)

Pots/Pans, Utensil Sets, Dish Sets, Trash Cans with Lids, Cups and Glassware Sets,Cooking Utensils, Dish Towels, Pot Holders

Bedroom Items
(All New Please)

Mattress Covers, Twin & Full Sized Sheet Sets, Twin Comforters, Full Sized Blankets & Comforters, Pillows & Pillowcases, Toddler Bedding Sets

Bathroom Items
(All New Please)

Shower Curtains & Rings, Bath Towels, Hand Towels, Washcloths,

Gift Cards

Our favorite stores are Giant, Walmart, Amazon, VISA, Aldi, Target, and Wawa

Partners we work with for all other donations:

Clothing Donations

We partner with Wings for Success for all clothing donations. Please contact them directly for donation information.

Furniture Donations

We partner with the Community Warehouse Project in West Chester for all of our furniture needs. Please contact them directly to inquire about your furniture donation.

Cribs, Car Seats, and Children’s Toys, Clothing, Books

Many organizations cannot accept used cribs and car seats for safety reasons. For most children’s items, we partner with Maternal Child Health Consortium. Please contact them directly to inquire about children’s items.

Food

We partner with the West Chester Food Cupboard for all food donations. Please contact them directly for more information.