Opportunities From: HandsOn Twin Cities

Every year, Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities provides a large Thanksgiving lunch to the greater community. We are looking for partners to create Christmas decorations for the dining room that day. Decoration ideas include turkey suncatchers and autumn-themed paper chains. Decorations need to be delivered (in person or by mail) to our St. Paul Administration office by November 14, 2025.
This is a one-time, off-site opportunity for individuals or groups. 

Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities (UGMTC) is participating in the 3,000 Acts of Kindness event at the Minneapolis Convention Center. It will be a powerful day of hope and practical help for people experiencing hunger and homelessness.

You can make a difference by assembling Snack Packs: Ziploc bags filled with easy-to-eat, shelf-stable snacks. These packs will be handed out to men, women and children experiencing hunger and homelessness at the event.

This is not an event hosted by UGMTC nor are the items provided by UGMTC. UGMTC would be glad to send a staff member to a packing event to talk about who the snack packs are going to, the nature of homelessness in the Twin Cities, and how UGMTC is addressing homelessness in our community. 

For more information contact volunteers@ugmtc.org 

The ACTS Training program is a long-term residential program at UGMTC's Men's campus for men working on life skills to transition out of homelessness. A strong component of homelessness is the lack of healthy connections with others. Help develop community and relationships through events on Thursdays for the ACTS training program residents. Examples of activities are board games, card games, and chess tournaments.

The ACTS Training program is a long-term residential program at UGMTC's Men's campus for men working on life skills to transition out of homelessness. A strong component of homelessness is the lack of healthy connections with others. Help develop community and relationships through events on Thursdays for the ACTS training program residents. Examples of activities are board games, card games, and chess tournaments.

PURPOSE:
A large contributor to homelessness is the lack of healthy connections with others.
Being an Art Lead Volunteer is an opportunity to connect with program residents,
tangibly showing them that they are loved by Jesus and his people. As a part of the Art
Lead Volunteer position, you have the opportunity to form that connection through art.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Prepare and lead an art project for the program’s residents. This may be a class
or an individual. The art can be any medium (drawing, clay, painting, etc.).
• Provide all supplies necessary for activities. Work with program staff if there is
additional funding needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• A ‘listen first, speak second’ mentality
• Reliable transportation to meeting locations
• Ability to meet consistently with the residents on a scheduled basis in
partnership with program staff

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL EFFORT:
• This role is a mix of sitting and standing in a homeless shelter setting.

TRAINING:
• Meeting and tour with Program Manager
• Onboarding orientation training required
• Additional training opportunities may be available

COMMITMENT:
• 6 Month commitment
• Biweekly sessions
• Saturdays 10 am - 11 am or 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

TYPE:
Individual 

The Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities is looking for volunteers to help serve meals every day of the week.  This is a great opportunity to meet the basic needs for individuals experiencing homelessness.  Our main dining room is located at 435 University Ave. East, St. Paul, MN. 

You can sign up through this link: https://volunteers.ugmtc.org/calendar. 

The Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities is looking for volunteers to help serve meals every day of the week.  This is a great opportunity to meet the basic needs for individuals experiencing homelessness.  Our main dining room is located at 435 University Ave. East, St. Paul, MN. 

You can sign up through this link: https://volunteers.ugmtc.org/calendar. 

The Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities is looking for volunteers to help serve meals every day of the week.  This is a great opportunity to meet the basic needs for individuals experiencing homelessness.  Our main dining room is located at 435 University Ave. East, St. Paul, MN. 

You can sign up through this link: https://volunteers.ugmtc.org/calendar. 

PURPOSE:
A large contributor to homelessness is the lack of healthy connections with others.
Being
a Resident Mentor Volunteer is an opportunity to connect with program residents,
tangibly showing them that they are loved by Jesus and his people. As a part of this
mentor program, you can build that connection and help the program resident develop
a new skill. Examples of activities are woodworking, cooking, mending and horticulture.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Provide all supplies necessary for activities. Work with program staff if there is
additional funding needed.
• Prepare an indoor activity for the program residents.
• Lead that activity, or activities, for the program residents.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• A ‘listen first, speak second’ mentality
• Reliable transportation to meeting locations
• Ability to meet consistently with the resident

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL EFFORT:
• This role is a mix of sitting and standing in a homeless shelter setting.

TRAINING:
• Meeting and tour with Program Manager
• Onboarding orientation training required
• Additional training opportunities may be available

COMMITTMENT:
1 year of consistent sessions 

TYPE:
Individual or small group

PURPOSE:
For our ACTS Training Program alumni, the first six months of living on their own after
exiting the program are often the hardest. This is largely due to a lack of connection to a
community. The volunteer group/community offers help to a program resident before and
after graduation. Being a Resident Mentor Community Volunteer is an opportunity to show
program alumni they are loved by Jesus and his people.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Meet with individuals for 6 months before the resident’s graduation
• Provide ‘welcome home baskets’ with initial essentials for the resident’s new
home once they graduate (e.g.: cleaning supplies, laundry supplies, basic kitchen
utensils, etc.)
• Continue to be involved in the life of your program alum for six months after
their completion of the program

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• A ‘listen first, speak second’ mentality
• Reliable transportation to meeting locations
• Ability to meet consistently with the program resident

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL EFFORT:
• This role is a mix of sitting and standing in a homeless shelter setting.

TRAINING:
• Meeting and tour with Program Manager
• Onboarding orientation training required
• Additional training opportunities may be available

COMMITTMENT:
6-9 months as determined by conversation with program leadership

TYPE:
Small group

PURPOSE:
A large contributor to homelessness is the lack of healthy connections with others.
Being an Activity Lead Volunteer is an opportunity to connect with program residents,
tangibly showing them that they are loved by Jesus and his people. You will develop
community and relationships through events on Saturday or Sunday for ACTS Training
Program residents.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Provide all supplies necessary for activities. Work with program staff if there is
additional funding needed.
• Prepare an indoor activity for the program residents.
• Lead that activity, or activities, for the program residents.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• A ‘listen first, speak second’ mentality
• Reliable transportation to meeting locations
• Ability to meet consistently with the residents on a scheduled basis in
partnership with program staff

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL EFFORT:
• This role is a mix of sitting and standing in a homeless shelter setting.

TRAINING:
• Meeting and tour with Program Manager
• Onboarding orientation training required
• Additional training opportunities may be available

COMMITTMENT:
1 year of consistent sessions (either on Saturdays 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. or Sundays 12 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.)

TYPE:
Individual or small group

PURPOSE:
The Volunteer Driver will transport program residents participating in adult education to
and from their program sites and the Education Center. Drivers will be using mini-buses
and 15-passenger vans provided by Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities

RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Provide transportation to and from program sites
• Develop relationships with residents

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
• Ability to drive 15-passenger vans or minibuses in an urban setting
• A clear background check
• While Volunteer Drivers do not have to be Christians, they need to respect Union
Gospel Mission Twin Cities’ statement of faith

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL EFFORT:
• This role includes sitting and driving large vehicles.

TRAINING:
• Meeting and tour with Program Manager
• Onboarding orientation training required
• Defensive Driving Course provided by Union Gospel Mission Twin Cities

COMMITTMENT:
Once a week (Monday-Friday) consistently for a period of time determined by a
conversation with program staff