Volunteer and Support the Families Who Stay at the House

Volunteers are the heart of our house and vital to our mission. Volunteers are key in helping the parents and family members who stay with us while their children receive treatment at Indianapolis-area hospitals.

From making guests feel welcome and comfortable to asking questions to taking care of day-to-day needs, as a volunteer, you’ll play a vital part in helping families heal together.

I have been volunteering at the House for nearly 40 years. Years pass, change happens, but the mission remains the same. Doing my small part in making life a little easier for our families - That’s why I keep coming back!

Interested in Volunteering?
Contact Arielle Hirt our Volunteer Manager

Send a message to Arielle below or call 317-267-0605 x225.

Have Questions About Volunteering?

Here are some answers to our most frequently asked questions about the volunteer programs.

Will I be working with children?

While the kids are being well cared for at the hospital, we are caring for the parents and other family members who are here to support the child.

Although we will have some patients staying at the House, their condition frequently prevents them from interacting with the general public.

What type of volunteer opportunities does the House offer?

We offer volunteer opportunities for individuals as well as groups. You can volunteer one-time or on an on-going basis.

The volunteer services that are needed most include guest services and culinary crew volunteers.

How many volunteers do you need?

The House is staffed by 17 full-time staff, 8 part-time staff, and over 200 volunteers.

Volunteers are the heart of our House and volunteer needs are constantly changing as people’s schedules change.

We’re most in need of Guest Services volunteers and Culinary Crew Members and you can read the descriptions for these volunteer roles below.

What type of training will I receive?

Our Guest Services Volunteers receive 9 hours of basic training. This training is conducted by both staff and veteran volunteers and mostly done hands on.

Training for other volunteer positions is also done hands-on during the volunteer’s normally scheduled shift.

How do I get started volunteering?

After looking over our volunteer information on this page, contact Arielle our Volunteer Manager to get additional information about the opportunities that fit your interests and needs.

Then depending upon the opportunity you are seeking, you may be asked to complete and submit a volunteer application. Once you have applied, the next step will be to attend a new volunteer orientation.

If I’m unable to volunteer, what else can I do?

We’re grateful to anyone who can:

Provide items from our wishlist to support our culinary and household needs.
Make a monetary donation to support our mission.

We Need You For These Roles

In this role, you are our front-line customer service provider. Assists staff with providing houseguests with a pleasant and comfortable place to stay and visit. Provide listening support to the houseguests as needed.
Requirements
- A 6-month commitment and a minimum of 3-4 hour shift every other week
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Must attend volunteer orientation and other trainings
- Must be COVID vaccinated.
We’re looking for people who are
- Personable, patient, flexible and a good communicator
- Able to deal with the public in a helpful and supportive manner
- Resourceful and able to work independently while also able to accept direction
- Able to represent the House in a professional manner
- Demonstrate respect for confidentiality
Responsibilities for this role
- Provide an atmosphere of warmth and support by interacting with guests, providing information, answering questions and by being an understanding listener (not counselor). Provide general assistance to guests as needed
- Answer and direct incoming telephone calls. Greet and assist visitors
- Help fill open rooms by notifying families of available rooms according to approved procedures
- Assist with guest check-in, orientation, and check-out tasks
- Perform daily operational and housekeeping tasks, including resetting rooms for the next family
- Circulate through the facility to identify potential problems that might need attention
- Assist staff as needed with special projects
In this role, you will be providing home-cooked meals for the families staying with us.

Requirements
- A 6-month commitment with a minimum of 2 shifts per month
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Must be COVID vaccinated.
- Be available for shifts that fit into your schedule
  - For lunch at the Riley Family Room, the shift is 11 am to 2 pm
  - For dinner at Limestone, the shift is from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm
- Must attend volunteer orientation and other trainings
We’re looking for people who are
- Personable, patient, flexible and a good communicator
- Able to deal with the public in a helpful and supportive manner
- Resourceful and able to work independently while also able to accept direction
- Able to represent the House in a professional manner
Responsibilities for this role
- Provide an atmosphere of warmth and support by interacting with guests
- Assist the culinary team in preparing, serving, and cleaning up after the meal
- Follow safe food handling procedures

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer and Support the Families Who Stay at the House

I have been volunteering at the House for nearly 40 years. Years pass, change happens, but the mission remains the same. Doing my small part in making life a little easier for our families - That’s why I keep coming back!

Interested in Volunteering?
Contact Arielle Hirt our Volunteer Manager

Have Questions About Volunteering?

Will I be working with children?

What type of volunteer opportunities does the House offer?

How many volunteers do you need?

What type of training will I receive?

How do I get started volunteering?

If I’m unable to volunteer, what else can I do?

We Need You For These Roles

Volunteers Help Make Our House a Home

Make a Difference for Families. Make a Difference for the Community.

Can we help you find something?

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer and Support the Families Who Stay at the House

Interested in Volunteering? Contact Arielle Hirt our Volunteer Manager

Will I be working with children?

What type of volunteer opportunities does the House offer?

How many volunteers do you need?

What type of training will I receive?

How do I get started volunteering?

If I’m unable to volunteer, what else can I do?

Interested in Volunteering?
Contact Arielle Hirt our Volunteer Manager