We are so thankful for the 300+ individuals who serve with Hope Ministries on a committed basis…weekly, monthly or quarterly. We call them our M25 volunteers, based on Matthew 25:35-40. M25 volunteers teach classes, lead chapel, serve meals, help at our administrative office and more! Scroll down to check out some of our current most-needed volunteer roles!
**We are currently pausing our Hope 101 volunteer orientation sessions and will resume in January 2026. Sign-up for our 2026 Hope 101 sessions will open in November, so be sure to check back then. Thanks!**
A few important things to know about serving as an M25 volunteer:
- The first step to joining our volunteer network is attending one of our Hope 101 volunteer orientations. Hope 101 takes place monthly on Saturdays.
- After attending Hope 101, if you’d still like to volunteer, there’s a $25 processing fee to cover the cost of a t-shirt and background check (required for every M25 volunteer).
- We also ask our M25s to review and affirm our Mission Statement, Core Values and Statement of Faith.
Sound good? Then let’s get you signed up for an upcoming Hope 101 orientation! Just hit the button below to see specific Hope 101 dates and sign up! Or keep on reading to learn about some of our most-needed volunteer roles.
Our new 100-bed Hope Ministries Center for Women and Children is now open . . . which means our need for high-impact volunteers is growing! Our greatest needs at Hope Center include:
Class Teachers
We need class facilitators for life recovery program classes (curriculum is predetermined) plus instructors for special classes like sewing, one-on-one HiSET tutoring, special trades, fitness and more!
Drivers
If you have a clean driving record, you can be approved to drive one of our vehicles and transport residents to and from school, daycare, and work skills training while pursuing life recovery.
Children's Activities Helpers
Help with our Tuesday or Thursday “Kids Nite” program, offering tutoring assistance, or provide additional as-needed child care at our Hope Center. We can also use weekend child care help!
Kitchen Assistants
Assist our team of cooks as they prepare meals for our women and children. No professional kitchen experience required—only a “how can I be of service?” attitude and a love for serving God’s people!
Administrative Assistants
Answer phones, greet residents and visitors at our front desk, and assist in other ways that help our team stay organized at Hope Center.
More Volunteer Opportunities
In addition to our growing, immediate volunteer needs at our new Hope Ministries Center for Women and Children, here are additional volunteer opportunities throughout our ministry centers around Des Moines:
Serving Meals
We serve around 500+ free meals every day—breakfast, lunch and dinner! We will especially need additional meal serving help once our new Hope Center is open.
Thrift Store Help
We can always use an extra pair of hands to help accept and sort donations at our Hope Ministries Thrift locations (4640 Merle Hay Rd. in Urbandale and 500 E. Army Post Rd. in Des Moines).
Team-Building and Awareness
If you’re interested in leading church groups, corporate teams and other groups in pre-designed team-building activities that raise awareness about homelessness and the programs we offer, ask about our new escape room!
Mentors for Women
We’re looking for mentors for women in our life recovery program at Hope Ministries Center for Women and Children. As a mentor, you’ll provide healthy friendship, encouragement, Christian guidance and accountability to a woman who is working hard to rebuild her life.
Got Questions?
Contact our volunteer coordinator, Trevor Schmitt, at (515) 265-7272 or email tschmitt@hopeiowa.org
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