Community Volunteers
Step into service and help strengthen the San Luis Valley through direct action
Serve at La Puente
La Puente’s office of Volunteer Coordination strives to connect people to their community through service. We create an environment where volunteers are exposed to the causes and effects of poverty, and are engaged in projects that support La Puente programs and our neighbors in the San Luis Valley.
Community members of all ages and abilities can volunteer for a few hours, a day, or on a weekly or monthly basis at many of our programs. We also have means for students and court-mandated volunteers to fulfill their service hour requirements. All volunteers are encouraged to learn more about La Puente to get a better understanding of what we do and which program best fits your unique skills.
Interested in becoming a
La Puente Community Volunteer?
Hours
Monday-Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM
Location
911 State Ave. Alamosa, CO (use the side door)
Tasks La Puente Community Volunteers Help With
Our Volunteer Coordination office will help pair you with a role that aligns with your interests and skillsets. These are some examples of how volunteers help out:
Paint the home of a newly-housed client
Help organize and distribute donated items
Prepare a homecooked meal for shelter guests
Stock shelves and help run our local food bank
Community Volunteer Testimonials
"Today is my last day after serving weekly with Street Outreach for nine months. When I first started, I just wanted to get my high school volunteer hours in. But after a few weeks, I knew I wanted to stay as long as possible. I've met so many different people and heard tons of stories. I've learned how to empathize with people more and truly listen. I am headed to Denver next fall for college–my goal is to become a psychiatrist and volunteering here has confirmed that."
"I left our service day at the Food Bank feeling so proud of my kids as I watched them step out of their comfort zones and shine. This was the first time my kids had an opportunity to help others outside their own relatives. Seeing them in a new environment and how they became more confident over the course of the day was so rewarding. They genuinely loved working together. I got to discover more of my kids’ strengths and they got to experience what it means to be a good neighbor."
Frequently Asked Questions
Community Volunteers add continuity and connection with our clients and our staff, and are in a unique place to help affirm each neighbor’s worth and belonging. Community Volunteers help make our work possible by providing support for a variety of projects that serve their neighbors and give support to the staff they serve with. We rely on the dedication and skills of people from all walks of life, and the gifts they have to share, to help La Puente meet the needs of all whom we serve.
Part of the way volunteers meet needs is in direct service to their neighbors in the San Luis Valley, whether they are helping distribute emergency supplies with Street Outreach or providing emergency fire wood to neighbors across the Valley during the cold of winter. Moreover volunteers can provide staff with consistent support in our programs, like helping with cooking or laundry at the Shelter, organizing donations at Rethreads, or stocking shelves at the Food Bank. Often Community Volunteers are the connection between our clients and our staff. What they give reaches far beyond simply doing tasks; they are care in action! That care is often present during events like our Thanksgiving Dinner or Community Christmas Party, which are truly community celebrations.
Need volunteer hours for school credit? Fill out our volunteer application form to express what program you are interested in serving in. A Volunteer Coordinator will get in touch with you to match you with a service opportunity. At that time, you can inform the Volunteer Coordinator about how many hours you need to complete. After you wrap up your service hours, our office can provide documentation for your school.
Need volunteer hours for court-mandate requirements? Fill out our volunteer application form to express what program you are interested in serving in and share how many hours you need to complete. A Volunteer Coordinator will get in touch with you to match you with a service opportunity. After you complete your hours, our office can provide all the required documentation.
There are three ways to register to volunteer:
- You can fill out the form online by clicking here.
- You can come to the office at 911 State Ave. in Alamosa and fill out the form in person!
- You can call or email our office.
For more information about volunteering with La Puente, or to register, please email director.volcoor@lapuente.net or call 719-587-3499.
Interested in serving with AmeriCorps?
Join the La Puente team as an AmeriCorps member.