Volunteer with YWCA

Volunteers invest their hands and hearts in the work and mission of YWCA Cass Clay!

Some roll up their sleeves to sort donations, bake and cook in our kitchen, teach life skills classes, perform grounds clean-up, conduct donation drives, and set up for events. Others bring their leadership and expertise to our board of directors, committees, and event planning teams.

You can join us! Complete the volunteer application to get started.

Get started

Ways to Volunteer

With a Group

Gather your coworkers, community organization, church group, or family and friends to:

Prepare a meal for families at the shelter
- Learn more about YWCA Meals with a Mission!
Do yard work, landscaping, painting, etc.
Clean or organize at YWCA Emergency Shelter
Plan a special activity for women and families! Ideas include:
- Host a movie night - bring a DVD and snacks for an easy, all-ages activity
- Host a craft - gather supplies and plan an activity for women, children, or both!
- Host a spa day - bring face masks, nail polish, etc. for women to treat themselves.
- Host a backyard BBQ - from outdoor games to s’mores, you can bring joy to YWCA!

Volunteer groups up to 15 are welcome Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.

Get Started

As an Individual

Shelter Childcare Volunteer

Help us provide a safe, nurturing, and fun environment for the children living in YWCA Emergency Shelter. Responsibilities include reading books, doing arts and crafts, playing games, preparing snacks, rocking babies, and assisting teachers with cleaning and organizing.

Study Buddies Volunteer

Help children calling YWCA Emergency Shelter home complete homework assignments and assist with educational and recreational activities for groups of school-age children.

Support Server

Help with putting out the evening meal, cleaning the community kitchen, dining area, and staff kitchen, taking out the trash, cleaning up after the evening meal, repackaging leftovers from the meal, and washing dishes.

Clothing Coordinator

Help assist YWCA Emergency Shelter staff in organizing donated clothing on racks, ensuring that items are neatly folded, facing hanging items, general organization, and keeping an inventory of clothing available for women and children.

Education and Employment Class Instruction

Help women gain confidence by establishing a foundation for job readiness and career growth through a variety of classes. From resume building and interview preparation to stress management, you can help women on their empowerment journeys.

Groundskeeping Volunteer

Help maintain YWCA’s grounds by mowing lawns, pulling weeds, and picking up garbage around YWCA facilities. This volunteer opportunity is seasonal, happening between the months of April - October.

Special Event Volunteer

Help make YWCA’s signature events successful by setting up, greeting attendees, selling tickets, and so much more. Events include, but are not limited to, YWCA Women of the Year in April and YWCA Chocolate for Change in September.

Get Started

Orientation and training will be provided for individual volunteer positions. YWCA staff will follow up to set up an orientation time once you complete the volunteer application.

Virtual Volunteering

Want to volunteer, but on your own time and terms? Looking for a volunteer opportunity for youth? Check out these ways (and more) to be a virtual volunteer for YWCA!

Helpful Shopper
Stay on top of our Urgent Needs updated each week. Then just add an item or two to your cart when you shop and drop them off at YWCA Emergency Shelter (3000 S University Drive, Weekdays 9am-5pm.)

Equity Ambassador
Gather a group of friends, family, or coworkers to visit the RACE: Are we so different? exhibit and lead a discussion to learn and grow.

Wellness Supporter
Make wellness boxes or baskets containing water bottles, chapstick, coloring books, colored pencils, and/or other self-care items.

Get more YWCA virtual volunteering ideas

Events + Committees

Event and committee volunteers generously bring their knowledge, decision-making, and feedback to grow and support our programming and fundraising at events like YWCA Women of the Year and YWCA Chocolate for Change. To learn more about how you can help plan a YWCA event, join a committee, or be a helping hand at a YWCA event, email info@ywcacassclay.org.

Host a Drive

From new underwear to laundry soap, things we may take for granted are vitally needed by women escaping domestic violence and poverty…YOU can help!

We rely on the community to help us provide basic needs for those seeking safety and support at YWCA. Organizing a donation drive is a fun and interactive way to make a meaningful impact!

How to host a drive:

Contact YWCA at volunteer@ywcacassclay.org or call (701) 478-2251 to let us know about your drive, brainstorm ideas of what to collect, and learn about our current needs.
Download or customize donation drive materials or request the YWCA Cass Clay logo for use on posters and promotions.
Coordinate a drop-off plan with our Volunteer Coordinator. We love to recognize these gifts in person and often highlight them on social media!
If you’d like, we can provide additional fact sheets about YWCA and talk to your group about our mission.