Teens Volunteer at UCM Program's Monthly Dinners

United Community Ministries (UCM) manages two transitional housing programs that include housing, intensive counseling, case management, and life skills classes. The Community Housing Resource Program (CHRP) moves families from homelessness to stability.

A group of local teens and their parents volunteered to host the Feburary and March dinners for families in UCM's transitional housing programs.

“We are grateful to our volunteers for the delicious dinners and assistance,” UCM's Journeys program case manager Caitlin Hollis, MSW, said in a release.   “Our parents really appreciate and look forward to a home-cooked meal with other families.  The workshops provide a chance to interact and share with other families who are dealing with similar challenges on the path to self-sufficiency.”

Volunteer groups are needed monthly to provide and serve dinners at the evening client workshops. Meals can be cooked from scratch or restaurant carryout. Volunteers are asked to underwrite the tax-deductible cost of the food and to prepare and serve the meal to the group of 20 to 30 adults and children. 

Volunteers are welcome to stay to listen to the workshop speakers on topics such as positive parenting and relationship building. Volunteers are also needed to assist with child care, so that the parents can fully engage in their group session. If you would like to volunteer, contact Marcos Castillo, UCM’s volunteer and community relations coordinator, at marcos.castillo@ucmagency.org or (571) 255-8979.