Your time and energy with Foundation 2 Crisis Services helps ensure we can continue to provide high-quality services 24/7. Opportunities are regularly available for individuals and groups up to 10 individuals. For larger group opportunities, please contact jschoenhofer@foundation2.org.
See current volunteer opportunities and sign up as a volunteer below!
Prepare a meal
Provide a meal for young people attending the Fostering Futures FORWARD group. This group is held twice a month for young people ages 11-23 who have been in an out-of-home placement, such as foster care or a youth shelter. Options include bringing in a potluck and using our on-site kitchen to prepare a meal. Sponsorship and in-kind donation options also available. This opportunity is good for groups of 3-6, including companies and nonprofits. Estimated time is 2-3 hours.
Sort & Organize Donations
Unpack and sort in-kind donations for our Apartment in a Suitcase program and client closet, located in our Headquarters building in Downtown Cedar Rapids. This opportunity is ideal for individuals and groups of 2–10, including companies and nonprofits. Estimated time is 1-2 hours.
Hair Braiding at Youth Shelter
Provide protective hairstyles for youth living in our shelter. If you have experience with braids, twists, loc maintenance or other protective styles, we’d love to have you join us in making a meaningful difference. Estimated time is 3+ hours per session.
Landscaping & Indoor Clean-up
Help with landscaping, cleaning and other upkeep projects at our Headquarters or Youth Shelter locations. This opportunity is good for individuals and groups of 2-10, including companies and nonprofits. Estimated time is 1-3 hours.
Community Outreach & Engagement
Share about our mission at a tabling event or fundraiser, such as Juneteenth, Cedar Rapids Farmer’s Market and Pride Festival. This opportunity is good for individuals and small groups of 2-4, including companies and nonprofits. Estimated time is 1-3 hours.
When we were founded in 1970 in Cedar Rapids, almost everyone involved was a volunteer. For many years, the phone line was answered entirely by volunteers.
Over the decades, we have shifted to a paid employee model to ensure we can provide high quality services around the clock. With that change, our volunteer needs have moved away from providing crisis services and toward supporting our teams in other ways. We remain deeply grateful for the hundreds of caring people were instrumental in building the foundation of our agency since 1970.
Who can volunteer?
We welcome anyone who supports our mission to apply to volunteer. Volunteers under age 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times while volunteering.
Can groups volunteer?
We can generally host groups up to 30 people throughout the year. Large group opportunities may be limited. For specific volunteer needs, contact Katie Curtis at kcurtis@foundation2.org.
Why don’t volunteers provide crisis services?
Our crisis counselors go through rigorous training to ensure they’re prepared for the difficult conversations they’ll encounter. Providing that level of training on a volunteer basis does not ensure we can provide a high level of care 24/7. Instead, we utilize volunteer efforts to support these crisis services, benefiting both our clients and staff.
I need community service hours. Do you accommodate those?
We have multiple opportunities that can help volunteers complete community service hours for school, a community organization, etc. These arrangements can be set up on a case-by-case basis. For specific volunteer needs, contact Katie Curtis at kcurtis@foundation2.org.