SAMARITAN HOUSE :: Samaritan House provides safe emergency housing and support for people who are in danger and need a way out. They are committed to helping individuals and families in crisis in Hampton Roads. They walk side-by-side with those who have been victimized by domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, as well as families who are at risk of losing their homes. Some of their services are housing, case management, counseling, victim advocacy, food assistance, medical assistance, group therapy, and job training. At the current time there are 12 emergency shelters in Virginia Beach.
| SAMARITAN HOUSE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| PROJECT | APPROPRIATE FOR WHICH GROUPS | AVAILABILITY | REQUIREMENTS |
| Shelter Cleaning | Adults, Youth | Evenings, Weekends | Supplies are provided |
| Shelter Repairs | Adults | Weekends | Special tools may be needed |
| Shelter Decorating | Adults, Youth | Evenings, Weekends | Supplies are provided |
| Shelter Gardening | Adults, Youth | Evenings, Weekends | Provide plants |
| Shelter Painting | Adults, Youth | Evenings, Weekends | Supplies are provided |
| Car Washing – 10 vehicles | Adults, Youth, Families | Weekends | |
| Create Welcome Kits for families moving into permanent homes (for kitchen, bath and bedroom) | Adults, Youth | Evenings, Weekends | Supplies are provided |
| Create Arrival Bags for adults and children (toiletries, towels, games, books, etc) | Adults, Youth, Families | Evenings, Weekends | Supplies are provided |
| Organize Donations | Adults | Daytime | |
| Adopt -a-Home | Adults, Youth, Families | First 2 Saturdays in December (December 7 and 14, 2019) | Some cleaning, decorating for the holidays, provide gifts |
| Painting offices | Adults, Youth | Evenings, Weekends | Supplies are provided |
UNION MISSION :: The Union Mission Ministries is committed to caring for the poor and homeless by providing for their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs helping people overcome their poverty and homelessness. Most importantly they are committed to changing lives forever by sharing the redemptive love of our Savior through the Gospel of Christ. Some of the services they provide are shelter and emergency services, community assistance, rehabilitation and training programs, and Camp Hope Haven. Their main campus is on Virginia Beach Blvd in Norfolk.
| UNION MISSION | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| PROJECT | APPROPRIATE FOR WHICH GROUPS | AVAILABILITY | REQUIREMENTS |
| Meal Prep and Service – Women and Children (6 prep; 6 serve) | Adults, Youth 12 and up | Dinner nightly 4-7pm; Lunch Saturday 11am-1pm |
Provide food, beverage, plates, cups, napkins, plastic ware for 250 |
| Meal Prep and Service – Men (6 prep; 6 serve) | Adults, Youth 12 and up | Dinner nightly 4-7pm; Lunch Saturday 11am-1pm |
Provide food, beverage, plates, cups, napkins, plastic ware for 250 |
| Women and Children Bible Study Helper (in conjunction with dinner) | Adults | Nightly 6-8pm | |
| Recharge Respite Buddy – Paired with special needs children and siblings to provide individual attention during day’s activities. At Hope Haven. Provides parents day of rest. | Adults | September 21 October 12 November 9 10:30am – 6pm |
No special training required |
| Recharge Respite Lunch At Hope Haven | Adults | September 21 October 12 November 9 10:30am – 6pm |
Provide food, beverage, plates, cups, napkins, plastic ware for 15-20 |
| Recharge Respite Dinner At Hope Haven | Adults | September 21 October 12 November 9 10:30am – 6pm |
Provide food, beverage, plates, cups, napkins, plastic ware for 15-20 |
| Food Warehouse – Assemble food boxes for distribution | Adults, Youth 12 and up | Saturdays | |
| Donation Warehouse – clean items for sale | Adults, Youth 12 and up | ||
| Building and Ground Maintenance | Adults, Youth 12 and up | Evenings, Weekends | |
| Christmas Gift Bags for men (Decorate paper lunch bag and fill) | Adults, Youth, Families | At your convenience/drop off by December 15 | lunch bags, bus passes, $5 fast food gift cards, wallets, men’s manicure set, Christmas card with note, candy |
PEOPLE IN NEED, INC. (PiN) :: PiN exists to provide food, clothing, shelter, and free medical care for people that are either homeless or extremely poor. The ultimate focus is to help the homeless of Hampton Roads transform their lives by meeting them where they are and sharing a God that loves them and wants a relationship with them. Services are provided at their new ministry center near the intersection of Birdneck Road and Virginia Beach Blvd as well as at Mount Olive Baptist Church on Birdneck Road.
| PiN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| PROJECT | APPROPRIATE FOR WHICH GROUPS | AVAILABILITY | REQUIREMENTS |
| Thursday Dinner and Bible Study | Adults, Youth 11 and up | September 19, 4:30-8:00 | Provide food and beverages for 70; cook; serve; participate in Bible study |
| Sunday Services and Dinner: visit, serve dinner, participate in church service | Adults, Youth 11 and up | November 3, 1:00-4:30 | Dinner is provided |
| Sunday Bag Lunches (opportunity to visit with guests during delivery hours) | Adults, Youth 11 and up | October 20 October 27 December 22 |
Provide 50 or 100 bag lunches (2 meat & cheese sandwiches, chips, dessert, and bottled water). Can be delivered on Saturday morning from 9:00am-12:00pm or between |
| Ministry Center – Greet guests; assist with services (clothing & hygiene closet); organize supplies | Adults, Youth 11 and up | Saturdays, 9:00am – 12:00pm | |
VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA :: Volunteers of America Chesapeake & Carolinas is a faith-based, non-profit organization whose mission is to empower self-reliance and inspire hope. As a church without walls, they do this through personalized housing, ministry, health, and human services that benefit vulnerable individuals, their families and the community.
Their services are provided to those experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless, individuals with mental illness, individuals and families of individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities, those in need of affordable housing and supportive services, those recovering from substance abuse addictions and those involved in community corrections. They also provide support services for veterans and their families.
In Virginia Beach, they operate the Lighthouse Center (day program for homeless adults) and two Community Living Centers (for adults with intellectual disabilities).
| VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| PROJECT | APPROPRIATE FOR WHICH GROUPS | AVAILABILITY | REQUIREMENTS |
| Landscaping at Community Living Center | Adults, Youth 16 and up | ||
| Cleaning/organizing sheds at Community Living Center | Adults, Youth 16 and up | ||
| Painting room at Community Living Center | Adults, Youth 16 and up | ||
PUBLIC SCHOOLS PROJECTS ::
| PUBLIC SCHOOL PROJECTS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| PROJECT | APPROPRIATE FOR WHICH GROUPS | AVAILABILITY | REQUIREMENTS |
| Water Bottle Give Away | Adults, Youth, Families | Landstown High – 9/6, 9/20, 10/4, 10/18, 11/1 at 7pm Kellam High – 9/6, 9/20, 9/27, 10/11, 10/25 at 7pm |
Purchase and brand 200+ water bottles to give away at home football games. Potential to sign students up for Bridge Youth events or community service hours. |
| Staff Appreciation | Adults, Youth, Families | Landstown and Kellam High Schools (more may be added) | Provide, gifts, food, or drinks to staff (teachers, custodians etc.) during school hours to show appreciation. |
| Staff Birthday Recognition | Adults, Youth, Families | Landstown and Kellam High Schools (more may be added) | Provide birthday cards with encouraging note for staff members |
INDEPENDENT PROJECTS ::
| UMBRELLA ESCORT | On rainy days, wait by the exit areas for shoppers to come out. Step forward with your umbrellas and say*, “We’re the umbrella escort team!” Stroll along and explain that you are not from the store, but are doing this to show the love of God in a practical way. Give them a connection card and offer to help them unload their groceries.
Where to go: Grocery stores, shopping centers, etc. |
|---|---|
| LEAF RAKING | Teams of 12-20 with high energy offer to rake the front yards in a neighborhood. Say*, “ Hi, we’re showing God’s love by raking the front yards of your neighborhood. You’re next on the list.” To keep the momentum rolling, have someone going several houses ahead of the team to explain the project and hand out connection cards*. Each yard should take only 5-10 minutes. Neighbors will come out to watch! Designate some as baggers.
Where to go: neighborhood in which small group meets |
| APPRECIATION EVENT FOR FIREFIGHTERS AND EMTS | Provide a meal to people who live very stressed-out lives and are often underappreciated. Agree as a team to spend time with the honorees, not with each other.
Where to go: local firehouses |
| TOTALLY FREE CAR WASH | Set up on a street that has a significant traffic flow at a location with an easy entrance and exit. You will need access to water. Get the attention of motorists with people placed with signs, whistles, etc. Minimum of 12-15 people are needed. Designate rinsing team, washing team, tire team, and drying team. Have several parallel lanes of washing at once. Also designate several volunteers to explain the project* and give out connection cards* and bottled water or coffee. You can even provide lawn chairs for people to sit while waiting. Great project for families with children – they draw in a lot of business!
Where to go: many times gas stations, auto stores and convenience stores will allow onsite car washes and have water access |
* More information is available from the Bridge Servant Outreach Coordinator
