Volunteers are an integral part of the Guest House. Without them we would not be able to serve our guests and residents like we do. If you are an individual or a group looking to volunteer for a one-time activity or on an ongoing basis, we can probably match your interests with our needs. Although the list of volunteer opportunities is plentiful, here are a few needs we currently have:

Help with Maintenance Projects
We are always in need of people to help with maintenance and upkeep of our buildings!  Some of our needs are basic, such as painting and replacing ceiling tiles.  We also have work that requires those with skilled trades, including electricians, roofers and masons. Some of these tasks can be done as a one-time group project, while others are a better fit for skilled individuals. Either way, we’d love the help!

Donate Holiday Gifts
Yes, the holidays are barely over, but with sales coming up, take advantage and help us prepare for an even better holiday celebration in 2012! The Guest House likes to make sure that guests and permanent housing residents all receive a gift for the holidays, and this is no small feat with 86 guests and 270 households. If you are interested in conducting a donation drive for the holidays, please let us know and we can provide you with a list of the top 10 items requested. This could be done by either a group or an individual.

Host a Celebration Dinner
Once a month we celebrate the accomplishments our guests are making on their individual goals, as well as honor those with birthdays. These celebrations are held at the Guest House on a weekday evening and are hosted by various groups. The host group plans, purchases, prepares and serves our 86 guests a hot meal, and stays to help with the ceremony immediately following dinner.

Card Making
During our monthly celebrations and various times throughout the year, we give the guests hand-made cards. Birthday, congratulations and inspirational ones are most needed, but we could also use cards for Valentine's Day, Spring/Easter and the 4th of July. A great activity for youth, families or anyone who is artistically inclined! 

For more information about these and other volunteer opportunities please contact Erik Koepnick at (414) 345-3240 X 111 or erik@guesthouseofmilwaukee.org.