Neighboring Opportunities
Welcome to the Neighboring Program, formerly known as the Volunteer Program. Dwelling Place uses a “neighboring” approach to volunteerism to emphasize the greater ecosystem of community care that exists across our neighborhoods. We are not volunteers in a vacuum, peering into the lives of low-income residents from a looking glass. We are neighbors lending a hand to our fellow neighbors, striving to understand social issues that affect all of us. In this approach, we gain perspective from the wisdom of one another. The neighboring approach aims to ask more questions than provide answers – it starts with “Who are my neighbors? What issues affect us?” and results in “What can I do to help?”
Our Neighboring Program hosts three main efforts, with other ad-hoc volunteer opportunities sprinkled through the year. Learn more about these projects, plus other volunteer involvement across Dwelling Place, by clicking through these pages or by getting in touch with Dwelling Place Volunteer Coordinator, Brian: volunteers@dwellingplacegr.org or call (616) 676-6527

Collection Drives
You can support our collection drives by building Welcome Home Baskets for new residents and maintaining our inventory of bus passes and other items.

Property Days
Work alongside Dwelling Place staff and residents to improve a property through landscaping, community art, maintenance and construction projects. Great for small and large groups!

Curb Appeal Crew
Lend your perspective to Dwelling Place as you tour our diverse property portfolio and evaluate buildings for attractiveness. Together, we can improve our structures and in turn, people’s lives!

Board & Committee Member
Dwelling Place is led by a Governance Board comprised of community volunteers. The board has several standing committees which also include volunteers from the community.

Neighborly Connections
These opportunities are typically related to certain interests like community art, gardening, and skill-based education. If you’d like to be invited to occasional opportunities based on your interests, this is a great fit for you.

Learning Lab
Gain real-world experience through an internship that focuses on community arts, resident leadership, and community building. Applications accepted in April, November, and August. Email jschaub@dwellingplacegr.org for details.

Americorps VISTA
Make an impact in the community through full-time Americorps volunteer opportunities. Email hibrahim@dwellingplacegr.org for details or check out the Americorps website.

Questions?
Contact Volunteer Coordinator, Brian Molhoek.
Email: volunteers@dwellingplacegr.org
Direct: (616) 676-6527