Volunteering at St. Paul
21 years ago, the men’s shelter at St Paul operated as a winter time, overnight-only facility in the WHO program. In April, 2020, it became a year-round shelter with staffing and overall management the responsibility of an organization called Outsiders Inn. The facility is interchangeably referred to as ‘St Paul Men’s Shelter,’ ‘Outsiders Inn at St Paul’ and ‘Outsiders Inn -St Paul.’
Each of the 25 residents is working to reach their goals in recovery from homelessness, substance abuse and trauma. Week days it is an overnight shelter (6:30 pm – 7:00 am), and on weekends and holidays, it is open 24 hours. Outsiders Inn staff people are onsite whenever the facility is open. WHO volunteers enhance the daily routine of the shelter with their presence, their interactions with residents, and the assistance that they provide to the staff.
Occasional volunteers (through the WHO program), and recurring volunteers (with Outsiders Inn) support our clients and the staff. Volunteers bring friendly faces and opportunities for clients to interact with people who have different life experiences than they. Friendly conversations with people who listen fully and provide encouragement are invaluable to these individuals who are on the road to recovery. Volunteers’ extra hands helping to serve meals, putting away leftovers, monitoring timed tasks, restocking supplies, and other tasks allow the staff more time for peer counseling, but a primary objective for volunteers is to converse with the residents.
One or two volunteers are welcome at St Paul Men’s Shelter
- Monday thru Friday evenings, 6 pm to 9 pm
- Saturday, Sunday and holidays 11 am to 2 pm
St Paul Lutheran Church is located at 1309 Franklin St in downtown Vancouver. Shelter entrance is on the 14th Street side of the building, within the alley near the ballot drop box. Here is a link to a Google map.
Volunteer Resources for WHO -St. Paul:
St. Paul WHO Volunteer Manual
- St. Paul WHO season onsite volunteer sign-up
- Provide an evening meal at St. Paul for 29 people by signing up on MealTrain
- St. Paul WHO background check application – Background check is required of each volunteer, allow at least 1 week for Outsiders Inn to
process this. The check is valid for one year. - St Paul WHO Confidentiality Form – should be printed off, signed and brought in to St Paul on a volunteer’s first shift of the season. The
confidentiality form is valid for one year. - Onsite volunteer training is offered at St Paul every Friday, between 5:00 and 6:00 pm. Attend any Friday, no r.s.v.p. needed; just show up for a tour of the shelter, explanation of schedules and rules and answers to questions you may have.
- With questions, or for assistance spreading the word about WHO-volunteering within your faith- or community- group, contact St Paul WHO Committee at whostpaulvanc@gmail.com.
Provide a meal to St Paul (another way to volunteer)
You or others in your group are invited to provide a meal concurrent with your/your group’s volunteering at St Paul, or at any other time during the year. Food for 29 people is needed.
Every day of the week, throughout the year, evening meals at St Paul are provided by individuals and groups from throughout the greater Vancouver community. Scheduling is coordinated using a program called MealTrain.
Detailed information about delivery of food, dates available, and a peek at what others are serving can be found on the St Paul MealTrain signup.
(This volunteer activity does not require a background check or confidentiality form.)
