Volunteer at Community of Hope Leavenworth, KS
It takes a village to keep this shelter open every single night. About 70 volunteers show up every week to make that happen — and there's a place here for you, whatever your schedule looks like.
Who We Serve
Our shelter, Day Center, and Welcome Central programs serve Leavenworth County residents. Demonstrating a county connection is straightforward — a prior mailing address, a pay stub from a local employer, an eviction record, a county ID, or school transcripts all qualify.
There is no sobriety requirement. No income threshold. No reservation and no waitlist for overnight shelter. The two requirements are a connection to Leavenworth County and the ability to care for yourself without assisted-living-level support.
Our community lunch is open to anyone in the Leavenworth area, regardless of housing status or county residency. Just show up.
If you are not sure whether you qualify or which program fits your situation, our Get Help page walks through each pathway clearly — or call us at (913) 702-8108.
Two Tracks. One for Any Schedule.
Every volunteer at Community of Hope serves through one of two programs. Choose the one that fits your life.
Night Shelter Volunteering
Night Shelter volunteers work overnight shifts in three-hour blocks, anytime between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. Before your first shift, you'll attend one monthly training session — a single commitment that prepares you for everything you'll encounter overnight. Training sessions are held monthly; contact us for the current schedule and location.
This is steady, meaningful work alongside a team that knows each other by name. About 70 volunteers per week make the Night Shelter possible. You'd be one of them.
Day Center Volunteering
Day Center volunteers are trained on-site and can begin right away — no prior training session required. Shifts run during daytime hours alongside staff and other volunteers supporting meals, hygiene services, and daily operations. If you want to get started quickly without a scheduling commitment upfront, the Day Center is the right starting point.
Not Ready for a Regular Shift? Start on a Friday.
Our monthly first-Friday community outreach events are the lowest-barrier way to get involved. Every first Friday, we take to the streets for afternoon outreach followed by an evening community event — connecting with neighbors who are formerly housed or currently experiencing homelessness and maintaining the relationships that research shows are directly linked to lasting stability.
No training required. No ongoing commitment expected. Just show up and be a neighbor. Many of our most dedicated regular volunteers started with a single Friday afternoon.
Community Service Hours — Students and Court-Ordered Participants
Students
University of Saint Mary students, community college students, and others fulfilling coursework service requirements are welcome at Community of Hope. We coordinate volunteer documentation for students who need verified hours for their program. Reach out before your first visit so we can make sure your hours are recorded correctly for your institution.
Court-Ordered Community Service
We accept court-ordered community service participants on a case-by-case basis. Participation is limited to daytime hours at the Day Center, where closer supervisory oversight is available. If you are a referral coordinator placing an individual, or an individual fulfilling a court order, contact us directly to discuss the process before the first visit.
Ready to Get Involved? Reach Out Here.
Prefer to call or email directly? We're at (913) 702-8108 and info@lvcommunityofhope.org. Voicemail is monitored and we call back.
Questions About Volunteering at Community of Hope
How do I volunteer at a homeless shelter in Leavenworth, KS?
Fill out the form on this page or call us at (913) 702-8108. We offer two volunteer tracks: the Night Shelter, with monthly training and three-hour overnight shifts, and the Day Center, where volunteers are trained on-site and can begin right away. First-Friday monthly outreach events are also open to anyone with no prior commitment required.
What is the training requirement for Night Shelter volunteers in Leavenworth?
Night Shelter volunteers attend one monthly training session before their first shift. After that, you choose your shifts from three-hour blocks between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. Contact us for the current training schedule and location.
Can I get community service hours volunteering at Community of Hope?
Yes. We coordinate volunteer documentation for students fulfilling coursework requirements, including University of Saint Mary students. Court-ordered community service is also accepted on a case-by-case basis during daytime hours. Contact us before your first visit so we can confirm the documentation process for your specific program or court requirement.
Can I volunteer if I've never done anything like this before?
Absolutely — though we'd put it this way: you're in good company. Many of our volunteers had never set foot in a shelter before their first shift. Day Center volunteering requires no prior training, and our Night Shelter training session is designed specifically for people who are new to this work. The team here will make sure you feel prepared before you start.
Do you accept court-ordered community service volunteers?
Yes, on a case-by-case basis. Court-ordered participants serve during daytime hours at the Day Center under supervisory oversight. Referral coordinators and individuals fulfilling court orders should contact us directly at (913) 702-8108 or info@lvcommunityofhope.org before the first visit.
