Volunteer Opportunities in Cape Cod - Housing Assistance Corporation

Find Meaningful Volunteer Opportunities with Us

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Housing Assistance! Volunteers play a vital role in helping us create a community where everyone has a safe and stable place to live. You can make a difference by working with clients in our local shelters, with staff in our offices, and on major annual events like the Walk for Hope.

We cannot do this work without the help of our community!

I can safely say that what I found at HAC has spectacularly exceeded my expectations of what the volunteer experience can be like.
– Jonathan, current volunteer

Current Volunteer Opportunities Individual Volunteering Group Volunteering FAQs

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Family Empowerment Center

Our Family Empowerment Center supports families transitioning from homelessness into stable housing. The program pairs temporary shelter (6 months stay) with intensive case management focused on financial literacy, employment, health, tenancy skills, and overall family well-being. Volunteers play a critical role in helping families build stability, independence, and confidence as they work toward long-term self-sufficiency.

Childcare

Provide safe, engaging play and enrichment activities for children living in shelter in partnership with Horizons for Homeless Children. Volunteers help children build confidence, creativity, and a sense of normalcy, while supporting families’ overall stability.

Responsibilities:

Support staff during playtime in small group settings.
Assist with crafts, educational activities, and unstructured play.
Foster a safe, nurturing environment for children.

Requirements:

Complete Horizons’ Playspace Activity Leader (PAL) application and 1.5-hour virtual training.
Commit to a consistent weekly 2-hour shift.
Childcare experience and comfort working with children of varying ages.
Comfortable in a shelter environment.

Current Schedule:

Mondays & Tuesdays: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Client Transportation

Getting around Cape Cod without a car can be incredibly challenging. We are seeking volunteers who can assist once or twice a month by driving families to appointments, grocery stores, The Family Pantry, and A Baby Center. This support helps remove transportation barriers, ensures access to essential resources, and empowers families as they work toward greater stability and independence.

Responsibilities:

Transport families safely in the agency’s 10-passenger minivan.
Coordinate with shelter staff on schedules and destinations.
Provide support and a positive experience for families during trips.

Requirements:

Valid Massachusetts driver’s license and clean driving record.
Comfortable driving a 10-passenger van.
Ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Time Commitment:

1–2 shifts per month, scheduled in advance based on volunteer availability and client needs.

Donation Center Support (Sorter & Greeter)

Help ensure that donated goods reach the families who need them most. Welcome donors, sort and organize donations, and prepare for distribution to families, ensuring donated items have the greatest possible impact.

Responsibilities:

Greet donors and assist with donation paperwork.
Sort, organize, and prepare items for distribution.
Maintain a clean, organized, and welcoming environment.

Requirements:

Comfortable with physical tasks such as lifting and bending.
Friendly, professional demeanor and strong interpersonal skills.
Flexible and adaptable to changing donation volumes.

Learn how to apply

Main Headquarters

Housing Assistance’s Regional Resource Center in Hyannis is the organization’s headquarters. The space houses the administrative teams and is also the hub for our Education & Housing Counseling programs.

Administrative Support

Help departments in our main office with routine clerical/administrative tasks. Assist with office tasks to free staff to focus on complex client needs and program operations, directly contributing to efficiency and HAC’s ability to serve the community.

Responsibilities:

Perform clerical tasks: copying, filing, assembling mailings, data entry, and phone coverage.
Support organizational and departmental needs.

Requirements:

Strong organizational and communication skills.
Attention to detail and reliability.
Availability for a 3–4 hour weekly shift.

Translation & Interpretation Assistant

Support Spanish and Portuguese-speaking clients by providing translation & interpretation assistance, helping remove language barriers and ensure equitable access to beneficial services.

Responsibilities:

Assist intake staff with verbal interpretation and written translation.
Facilitate effective communication between staff and clients.

Requirements:

Proficiency in verbal and written Spanish and/or Portuguese.
Availability for 1–2 hours per week at the Hyannis office.
Professional and friendly communication skills

Learn how to apply

Fundraising & Special Events

Housing Assistance hosts several major fundraising events each year that bring our community together in support of safe, stable housing for all. Volunteers play an essential role in making these events successful — helping with set-up, registration, hospitality, and day-of support. Whether you join as an individual or with a group, these opportunities are a fun and meaningful way to give back while raising awareness and critical funds for our programs.

Walk for Hope: May 31, 2026

Join Housing Assistance supporters, volunteers, donors, and staff as we walk together to shine a light on the housing challenges facing our region. The Walk for Hope raises critical funds for our programs on Cape Cod and the Islands — and it simply wouldn’t be possible without the incredible volunteers who make the event run smoothly in every location.

Volunteering at the Walk for Hope is a fun and meaningful way to support your community, whether you participate on your own, with friends, or as part of a group. Walk routes are in Falmouth, Hyannis, and Orleans.

Event Day Volunteer Roles:

Walk for Hope Fundraiser – Register to walk as an individual, form a team, or join an existing team. Help raise funds and awareness while showing your commitment to housing solutions in our community.
Event Check-In Support – Welcome walkers, check them in, confirm waivers, distribute t-shirts, and ensure they’re ready for a great event.
Walk-In Registration Support – Assist participants who arrive without pre-registering. Help them complete registration, sign waivers, and get oriented before joining the walk.

Requirements:

Volunteers must be age 10 or older.
Youth volunteers (ages 11–17) and children (10 and under) must be accompanied by an adult.

To learn more, visit hacwalkforhope.org or email events@haconcapecod.org.

Give Hope Where You Live

The Give Hope Where You Live campaign runs all year long, offering our community a meaningful way to support neighbors experiencing homelessness and housing instability right here on Cape Cod. By donating essential items, you help provide comfort, dignity, and a fresh start for individuals and families experiencing homelessness or transitioning into permanent housing. Even the smallest items—soap, socks, blankets—can make an enormous difference.

Housing Assistance accepts new, unused items only. While we cannot take gently used goods, you can find a list of local organizations that do accept them at the bottom of this page.
To donate, please complete our donation form so we can confirm your items and coordinate delivery. A member of our team will follow up with next steps.

To learn more, please visit haconcapecod.org/donating-items or contact:

Catherine Clark, VP of Community Engagement
508-771-5400 ext. 273 | cclark@haconcapecod.org

Individual Volunteers

Some individual volunteers work on a weekly basis; others work on specific events or serve on our “on-call” list for periodic projects. A few positions require special background or training. Most require only time and a willingness to learn a few basics. Bring your passion, share your skills, and help us turn good ideas into good works.

To Volunteer, complete the steps below.

STEP 1
Complete and submit the Individual Volunteer Application, Waiver, and Background Check.

Apply as an Individual

STEP 2
A member of our team will follow up to confirm receipt and schedule your volunteer orientation meeting.

STEP 3
Our staff will work to match you with a volunteer opportunity.

Thank you for your interest in supporting Housing Assistance!

Questions? Contact us via email at volunteer@haconcapecod.org.

Group Volunteering

Community, faith, and school groups are invited to spend a day—or even just a few hours—volunteering together in support of our shelters and programs. Group projects may include landscaping, painting, organizing donations, or assisting with special office tasks.

Because these opportunities are limited and require coordination, we encourage groups to reach out well in advance. We’ll work with you to find a project that aligns with your group’s interests, skills, and availability.

If you’re interested in signing your group up for a volunteer day with Housing Assistance, please fill out this form below.

To Volunteer, complete the steps below.

STEP 1
Complete and submit the Housing Assistance Volunteer Application and background check.

Apply as a Group

STEP 2
A member of our team will follow up to confirm receipt and schedule your volunteer orientation meeting.

STEP 3
Our staff will work to match you with a volunteer opportunity.

Thank you for your interest in supporting Housing Assistance!

Questions? Contact us via email at volunteer@haconcapecod.org.

Group volunteers participate in Walk for Hope.

Who do I contact at Housing Assistance if I have questions about volunteering?

You may email our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteer@haconcapecod.org.

Do I need any specific skills or experience to volunteer for Housing Assistance?

No, while certain volunteer positions may require a specific skill or experience level (ex. drivers, translators, etc.), we have volunteer opportunities for Cape Cod residents to get involved for all skill and experience levels.

Will I need to have a background check done to volunteer?

All volunteers who will be interacting directly with clients of Housing Assistance will need to complete the Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) form prior to volunteering.

What sort of time commitment do I need to make in order to volunteer?

The amount of time you spend volunteering for Housing Assistance will depend on your schedule and availability. We have opportunities ranging from one-time events to routine weekly hours. Once you have completed an online application, our team will work with you to find a schedule that works for everyone.

Can I still apply to volunteer even if I don’t see a current opportunity posted that I am interested in?

Yes, we love our community and those interested in getting involved, so even if you don’t see a volunteer position posted that works for you, you can still fill out an application and Housing Assistance will work to find a suitable role for you.

If a group of people want to volunteer together, does each individual need to complete a separate application?

It depends. If the group is volunteering for a specific one-time event, there is a separate registration form that can be accessed on our website under “Group Volunteering”. If the group would like to volunteer on a routine basis, individual applications will need to be submitted and Housing Assistance will try our best to accommodate a request to volunteer together.

Once I complete the volunteer application, how long will it take to start volunteering?

The process is different for everyone. Typically, the onboarding process can take from 3 weeks to a month depending on the volunteer position you are assigned.

If I am interested in a specific position, what chances do I have to get matched with this opportunity?

We will make our best effort to match you with the position you desire. However, due to the high volume of volunteer prospects we process, we are unable to guarantee a specific assignment. We will discuss available opportunities during your initial volunteer orientation meeting.