How Volunteering Works

How Volunteering Works

volunteers

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota! We appreciate your support and look forward to partnering with you to change lives. Below are the easy steps you can take to become an LSS volunteer, as well as an overview of the process.

LSS serves all people and welcomes diversity in its staff and volunteers…and no, you don’t have to be Lutheran to volunteer with us!

Think About the Type of Experience You are Looking for:

  • I want to work with this population....
  • I would like a group to help with....
  • I'm/we're available to....
  • I want to volunteer because....

Individual volunteers can build one-on-one relationships with older adults, children and people with disabilities. We offer ongoing and one-time volunteering opportunities. Opportunities range by area and need, and might include gardening, preparing a community meal, answering phones, helping children with camp activities, assembling kits for babies, office support, providing a family caregiver with a break and more.

Group volunteer opportunities vary throughout the state depending on our needs and the LSS services that are available in your community. Often youth groups, organizations, businesses, clubs, churches and others help with yard work, indoor home projects, making meals, children’s activities at our camps and more. Sometimes volunteer groups make a financial or in-kind donation to support their service activity.

Search Our Current Volunteer Opportunities

You can narrow your search by your availability, location and interest areas. While we offer many options statewide, LSS does not have services in every community, and volunteer recruitment needs often change. Due to the nature of our services, we are unable to fulfill most court-ordered community service hours.

Search for volunteer opportunities

Get Started

If you find an opportunity that you are interested in, you can reach out to the employee contact listed to learn more and get started. They will then contact you to answer any questions and help with next steps.

Application Process

We ask volunteers to complete an application so we can make certain this is the best possible experience for you, and to be sure we have your contact information. Due to the diversity of the services at LSS, our volunteer process varies somewhat by opportunity. Generally, once you have identified a position of interest, you'll complete an application and be interviewed. This is also an opportunity for you to determine if we're the right fit for you in meeting your needs and interests as a volunteer.

If a volunteer position involves working directly with people we serve, you may be asked to consent to a background check. If the assignment involves driving, you will be asked to provide proof of auto insurance and consent to a motor vehicle check.

About background checks: If needed, a standard background check will be run with your permission. A past criminal offense does not necessarily exclude a person from volunteering, depending on the offense and the volunteer opportunity. Your report will be reviewed by staff to determine your acceptance.

About motor vehicle record checks: If needed, we will obtain an updated Motor Vehicle Report with your permission. We will evaluate any citations incurred during the past three years. A Motor Vehicle Report will also include verification of valid U. S. driver’s license and proof of insurance (as applicable). Minor citations do not necessarily preclude a person from volunteering with LSS.

Begin Training and Volunteering!

Once any background checks are passed and your application is approved, your employee contact will connect with you to finalize details. This will include discussion of your start date and hours and coordinating completion of any training needed. Then you will be ready to begin your experience as an LSS volunteer.

 

Contact

Volunteer Services

651.696.2259