SAMMinistries Volunteer FAQs
Dear Prospective Volunteer,Thank you so very much for your interest in SAMMinistries! As a faith-based organization we strive to affirm the beauty and worth of every individual. We are excited to match your talents and abilities in a fulfilling volunteer opportunity. Every one of our volunteers is a valuable part of our team, and we could not succeed in “offering hope to the homeless” without you.
Frequently Asked QuestionedThursday Night Childcare: First, Third and Fourth Thursday evenings from 5:45 – 7:15 p.m. Infants: (ages 0-2 year olds) Older children: divided into the following age groups (3-4; 4-5; 6-11; and teens).
Tuesday Night Meal Teams: Tuesday Nights are the only nights that our families are offered a free meal. These hard working families are blessed monthly by Volunteer Meal Teams that provide, prepare and serve home cooked meals.
Tutoring: Assist kids and adults with homework or whatever work needed. Contact Sherri at smatusz@samm.org for the schedule.
Life Skills Instructor: (Transitional Living & Learning Center-Blanco): Budgeting, resume' writing, job interview skills, parenting, etc.
Receptionist duty: On an “on-call” basis.
Prospects Courtyard Chapel: (Prospects in PCY are the chronically homeless.) Volunteer Teams provide Worship Services that convene in Prospects Courtyard Chapel on a nightly basis
Chapel of Hope: Volunteer Teams provide Worship Services that convene in the Chapel of Hope on a nightly basis.
Services are open to Volunteers' creativity and interest
Serve with the Adult Singles
Donation Station: Assist SAMMinistries' Donation Department with intake,sorting,and distribution of donations. This is a good opportunity for the individuals that can commit to serving once a week Monday though Saturday.
Street 2 Feet: Join SAMMinistries and Riverside Community Church health and fitness running ministry. Street 2 Feet meets Saturday, Monday, and Wednesday mornings at 8:30 am and participants in Street 2 Feet are encouraged to take part in or help plan the annual Street 2 Feet 5K.
Serve with the Families of SAMMinistries
Play Room Monitors: Experience the smiles of children and the pleasure of opening up the Play room at the downtown shelter. The families of SAMMinistries are in need of volunteers to open the doors to our new Family Play Room. This is not intended to be childcare, mom and dad know that one of them must be present in the room, but we are in need of volunteers who can open the doors for a couple of hours. The room is also equipped with a computer for learning games and a television for age appropriate movies. Shifts are Monday-Friday 6:30-9:00pm or on Saturday and Sunday from 1:00-4:00pm and 6:30-9:00pm
Teen Room Monitors: Experience a ministry of presence as SAMMinistries is in need of a minimum of two volunteers to spend time monitoring the Teen Room evenings and weekends, as well as throughout the year. The teens of SAMMinistries are a very special group of kids that need an escape, as well as we do. Come spend an evening or a few hours on the weekend building relationships with them, helping the check out video games, watch movies with them, or play an exciting game of air hockey. Shifts are Monday-Friday 6:30-9:00pm or on Saturday and Sunday from 1:00-4:00pm and 6:30-9:00pm
Preteen Room Monitors: Just as the teens have their own room, so do the preteens. We are looking for a minimum of two volunteers to spend time with our preteens. Come spend a few hours playing video games, watching movies, playing foosball, reading, or just building relationships with these amazing kids. Shifts are Monday-Friday 6:30-9:00pm or on Saturday and Sunday from 1:00-4:00pm and 6:30-9:00pm. Range 9-12 years old.
Serve in the Office
Administrative Support: Support the SAMM Shelter staff by assisting in regular office duties including data entry, filing, scheduling, and acting as a campus guest liaison.
Remember, as a volunteer, your kindness is often key to SAMMinistries mission to offer services to the homeless with dignity and respect.
Volunteer Dress Code:
- T-shirts, polos, or sleeveless blouse.
- Clean blue jeans, khakis, capri pants, skirts, dresses and shorts no less than 2 inches above the knee.
SAMMinistries Volunteer Policies:
- Volunteers will ensure confidentiality and privacy in regard to the people we serve. Guests may not be photographed without their written consent and staff approval.
- Volunteers should never give or lend money to guests.
- Volunteers should follow the instructions of the team leader and/or staff.
- Volunteers should always keep staff informed.
- Please honor your commitment. We understand things happen, if you are unable to attend a scheduled event, please notify Volunteer Services at (210)321-5647.
- Volunteers should never be alone with, restrain, or physically discipline a child.
San Antonio Potters Guild 10 Years of Giving Back
March 21, 2010 marked a very important milestone for the San Antonio Potters Guild (SAPG). This day marked the 10th Anniversary Empty Bowls Event.
Empty Bowls was started in San Antonio because of the vision and hard work of Lyn Woods and Kevin Finegan. Sadly, in 2009, SAPG lost Kevin in a tragic accident, but Lyn was at the event working harder than ever.
When asked why she had such a passion for Empty Bowls, Lyn replied, “When we first heard about the Empty Bowls Project we wanted to do it to bring awareness to the plight of the people in San Antonio that experience hunger and homelessness on a daily basis. And today, with an increase in the needs, it’s even more important to help the community become aware of our local issues.”
Over the last ten years it has taken the talent of hundreds of San Antonio and South Texas Potters to make over 15,000 bowls for Empty Bowls. 
Under the direction of Robert Jodon, SAPG President, and Taaffe Caton, Empty Bowls Chairperson, this year’s soups and breads were donated by over 25 restaurants, caterers, and bakeries. The Silent Auction offered 159 items from local artists and stores.
This year’s event raised over $28,000 for SAMMinistries, bringing their total giving for ten years to nearly $200,000! We have truly been blessed financially by their efforts, but we are even more touched by their compassionate hearts for the poor and their unending determination to help spread the word.