Happy National Volunteer Appreciation Month!
We begin April by celebrating and highlighting a few of our MANY wonderful volunteers. We are so grateful for each and every one of our volunteers who have dedicated their time and service to one or multiple of Denver Rescue Mission’s nine different locations.
Without our volunteers, the services we offer would be far more difficult to operate. Impact happens when we unite together to provide hope for countless individuals in our community.
Bill
Meal Prep/Service Volunteer, Lawrence Street Community Center
Bill has been a volunteer at Lawrence Street Community Center for four years.
What led you to volunteer at Denver Rescue Mission?
“I have been volunteering in ministries, in Tampa for about 15 years. And then I took a seven year position with Metropolitan Ministries in Tampa, very similar to DRM. And when I came to Denver, was one of the first things I wanted to do was to give back and continue and connect through something like this, where I could be giving and helping other, even volunteers, not just our guests.”
What advice do you have for future volunteers?
“Come. Bring your smile. Just be open minded and have fun. That’s the best way to do it.”
Is there a story that stands out to you?
“I guess the one story would be is talking about it within the community, about what I do during the day and volunteering and how excited they get for me. And they’re saying, ‘Well, we’re very proud of you for doing that’ and I say, stop. Don’t do it for me. It’s actually for the guests. It’s actually for the community. And I get a great deal of joy out of it. And that’s the bridge that I use to, just keep coming back.”
Keli
Meal Prep/Service Volunteer, 48th Avenue
Keli has been a volunteer since May of 2023.
What led you to volunteer at Denver Rescue Mission?
“I found myself with a little bit more time. I retired from being a teacher. I worked for Cherry Creek Schools for 32 years. And so, I have more time. And I have known always in my heart that it is a moral imperative to give back to community. And when I found the Denver Rescue Mission, it fit the bill. I started coming about once a month, and I just increased my time. Mainly because I love interacting with the guests as well as the staff. I’m lucky. I am lucky in the world to have privilege to be able to give back. And I really feel like if I don’t find out how to give back, then I’m missing out.”
What stands out to you about volunteering?
“We’ve got high schoolers that are coming in, and we’ve got people in their 70s and 80s who come here to volunteer. So, it’s accessible to so many different people and, you know, people have different reasons for being here, but I think most people who come that I’ve met for the first time always say, ‘I’m going to come back for another time.'”
What advice do you have for future volunteers?
“Get a buddy, come sign up. Also, it’s so simple to go to the website and to find a shift. Because Denver Rescue Mission serves 365 days a year, three meals a day, so it is easy to find something.”
Ready to get involved? Sign up to volunteer today and change lives!
Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church
Meal Prep/Service Volunteers, The Crossing
What led you to volunteer at Denver Rescue Mission?
Linda: “I’ve been a volunteer since around 2016. My late husband and a friend were mentoring men in the New Life Program. He and I were then asked if we wanted to start serving meals. My husband passed away in 2020. But I continued to serve, volunteering monthly for the lunch service.”
Group opportunities for 2-10 people are available for meals, and groups of 2-5 are welcome to serve through warehouse support opportunities.
What advice do you have for future volunteers?
Linda: “It’s really easy to volunteer because the Denver Rescue Mission website has everything on it. You will see a page of different things of how you can help.”
What stands out to you about volunteering?
Linda: “It’s really rewarding to serve here. I have never experienced homelessness or any kind of addiction. But serving here feels like I’m helping. It’s more than just donating money. It’s a way to help.
The guys are so thankful when we’re here. We always talk and joke with them. They don’t tell us a lot about their lives. But they are always really nice. Plus, I am able to serve with ladies from my church, Cherry Creek Presbyterian church. We have gotten to know each other better and form long lasting bonds.”
Anita: “I love seeing the people and how it’s helping them. I look forward to it every month.”
Karon: “I really enjoy coming. I feel it as a service that I can do, and these men are just so grateful.”
Young Professionals Group
Meal Prep/Service Volunteers, Lawrence Street Community Center
What led you to volunteer at Denver Rescue Mission?
Rachel: “So, I had a friend who was serving one night and thought I would tag along. I didn’t know much about Denver Rescue Mission, but when I got involved with the community and just the young professionals who we serve with and just being part of the mission, it just is really cool to be part of something bigger than yourself.”
Nicole: “I was initially looking for just different volunteer activities to get involved in the Denver community when I moved here. I just keep coming back because I think it’s a great way to give back.
I love that it’s in the evenings and being a part of a group of people that want to have the same mindset. It’s really been the thing that’s caused me to come back.”
Nick: “I’ve been volunteering with Denver Rescue Mission on and off for a few years. I love coming here because it’s easy and fun to serve, and you get to make friends. It’s just a great organization.”
Kori: “I first heard about Denver Rescue Mission from a friend. It seemed like a really cool community with other likeminded people around my age, which is really hard to find in Denver. So that’s what got me interested.”
What advice do you have for future volunteers?
Nicole: “I think the best part about this is it’s a very short time commitment. We’re not asking for a lot of people’s time, so you can come serve a meal and you get so much out of it. The people that are here getting the meals are always so friendly and happy, and it just feels really nice to give back for a very short period of your day.“
Are a young adult, or know of a young adult in your life who would be interested in our Young Professionals group? Learn more and join today!
Ella
Meal Service Volunteer, The Crossing
Ella has been volunteering at The Crossing for the past four years.
What led you to volunteer at Denver Rescue Mission?
“I originally came through my school. We were required to do hours, and I kept on coming back, because I love the people here. Everyone’s really nice. They hold the door open for me when I come in. Really sweet. They always smile.”
What moment has impacted you while you were volunteering?
“I like making friends here. I’m not too social, but there are a good couple of people here that I always get to talk to whenever I come.
We always have good conversations. I get to ask what they did in their day. They ask what I did in mine. I’ve formed some of my best relationships here. I like being able to talk with people about nothing here, and I guess that’s a good part. I have a friend here; they love to talk about movies with. There was someone that I used to talk about country music with. There’s a whole bunch of people and everyone loves different things. It’s great to get to know what everyone else loves.”
What advice do you have for future volunteers?
“You should make a habit out of it. I’ve been coming here for four years, but only the past year I’ve been going as much as I do. Making a habit out of it is good, but it’s more just knowing that every time you come, you’re going to leave a bit happier than when you got here.”
Mike and Jake
Meal Prep/Service Volunteer, 48th Avenue
Mike and his son Jake have been coming to 48th to volunteer since August of 2025.
What led you to volunteer at Denver Rescue Mission?
Mike: “I did a variety of volunteer work, but for me, we live in a world where people, talk a lot about what’s wrong with the world and what needs to be fixed. But we don’t do very much from my viewpoint. And I thought, even just simple stuff and tangible stuff is worth doing for me. Anything you can do to help the homeless, the poor. Children without parents, things like that. I enjoy being here every Monday morning for – It’s only a few hours. It’s not that big a sacrifice.”
What stands out to you about volunteering?
Jake: “This was kind of an easy time commitment. Something I could do. What I like about coming here is this is definitely a tangible benefit. You can kind of see what you’re doing. You can see the food that you give to everyone in the morning, you can see them all eating their meals. We’re doing all the plates, all the work in the back of the kitchen. You can see how that helps the people that work here full-time.”
What encouragement would you give future volunteers?
Mike: “People can benefit from what we do. I benefit from being around people that are growing and benefiting from what all the donations and all people’s efforts are doing.”
Jake: “I think once you’re actually here, this is a pretty easy time commitment; it’s not difficult work. It’s, maybe easier than you would think. I think you get a lot out of it.“
Volunteer and Change Lives
Volunteers help make this life-changing work possible. Sign up and be a light in our community!
