Volunteers are crucial to aiding the mission of transforming lives spiritually, mentally, and physically.
Your Mission as Volunteers
The Volunteer Program’s mission statement is to be the hands and feet of Jesus by helping the staff at Keystone Mission to provide life-transforming opportunities.
We believe that volunteers are the “BACKBONE” of our organization because your partnership is essential on the frontlines with the men and women we serve daily. Our pursuit at Keystone Mission is to transform lives and build community through the hope of the gospel. The organization carries out the mission and rebuilds hope with the help of our volunteers.
Those Making a Difference
Our Process to Volunteer
Filling out an Application
To get started, click on VOLUNTEER either on the banner up top of the page or under the menu Volunteer and then Volunteer Application. We use MissionTracker as our online database for volunteers. You’ll be asked to enter your first, last name, and e-mail address to access the application. Once you do, it is a simple application of general information and then specific as far as which program or department area and your availability. Within 48 hours, the volunteer coordinator will contact you by phone to let you know your application was received and to schedule your shadow day.
Scheduling a Shadow Day
A shadow day is when you visit our facility and the program of your choice to see how it works and decide if this is the best fit for you. This will give you a sense of what we do and allow us to answer any of your questions. You’ll be assigned to the program/department and the supervisor of that corresponding area. They will begin to build a relationship with you and talk through the objective of the job you will be doing. You may be partnered with another volunteer or employee to learn or be trained. This is the day that you get to see if the program/department you selected is the right fit for you. If not, we’ll place you in another area.
Volunteer Debrief
After your shadow day, you’ll have a chance to talk with our volunteer coordinator (via phone or email) about your experience. Ask questions, seek clarity, and be honest. We love to hear what you enjoyed or didn’t enjoy about the experience.
Scheduling your First Day
Following your debrief, your corresponding program supervisor will reach out to you to schedule your hours. As a first time volunteer, you will be presented with a welcome packet which includes a Welcome Letter, Volunteer Handbook, ID Badge, and Instructions and Video Link to MissionTracker.
Volunteer Types
Keystone Mission provides a variety of volunteer opportunities throughout Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. Our short-term opportunities include assisting in the seasonal Emergency Shelter-Code Blue, Community Service, Court Ordered “Community Service”, and seasonal/group volunteer. Our on-going opportunities include help with the Innovation Center for Homeless & Poverty, Agape Mobile Outreach, Weekend Meal Outreach, and the Transformation Center.
Whether we get to know you for a season or a lifetime, we want to create an impact with you, because every interaction with our guests/residents is a chance to show love.
Regular Volunteer
This individual is fully engaged with the mission of the organization and is working on the frontlines with staff in one of the five program areas or administrative offices on a consistent basis.
Please use the Volunteer Application to apply opportunities at the organization. See below.
Court-Ordered "Community Service" Volunteer
This individual is ordered by a court of law to give their time in a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to fulfill a number of hours. The individual will be required to fill-out all necessary documents: Application, Background Check Agreement, Confidentiality Agreement, Mission Statement & Statement of Faith, and Emergency Contact Form. It is important the individual knows the process and that as an organization, we will try to help fulfill their court-order requirements.
*NOTE: Please allow one to two weeks to process the Background check with the State of PA before you can start your community service with our organization. In some cases, it may take longer to get a background check completed by the state.
Please select Court-Ordered on application under volunteer type.
Please be advised based on when hours are due, you may not be able to fulfill all hours by the required timeframe.
Student Volunteers
This individual may be seeking to serve in the organization to fulfill a requirement for school or social function. The individual will be required to complete a portion of information based on age. See below for details:
Age 12–15
• Application
• Emergency Contact
• Minor Waiver
• Mission Statement & Statement of Faith
*NOTE: Students between the ages of 12-15 must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian; however, there is a Release Form available to give a "supervisor" permission from the parent/legal guardian to accompany the student while volunteering at the organization. Please reach out to the Volunteer Coordinator for more information.
Age 16-17
• Application
• Emergency Contact
• Minor Waiver
• Mission Statement & Statement of Faith
*NOTE: Students between the age of 16-17 do not need to be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian. Please reference the Volunteer Handbook, which is available to download below.
Age 18+ (High School and College)
• Application
• Background Check Agreement
• Emergency Contact
• Confidentiality Agreement
• Mission Statement & Statement of Faith
Please use the Volunteer Application to apply opportunities at the organization. See below.
Seasonal/Group Volunteers
These types of volunteers may come in to help with a project sporadically during the year. The group or seasonal volunteers will only need to complete a portion of the application: Application, Emergency Contact, and Mission Statement & Statement of Faith. Background check is not necessary because of the nature of their work and limited interaction with guests/residents; however, the organization may request a background check if the nature of the work entails more interaction with guests/residents.
Please use the Volunteer Application to apply opportunities at the organization. See below.
Build a Community of Hope with us
Volunteer opportunities in Programs at the organization
Emergency Shelter-Code Blue (Seasonal)
The goal of this program is to provide direct relief from the brutal cold winters of NEPA. Folks are given a warm place to sleep, where they may have access to showers. Here, relationships are built with guests. This program is available in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre from November to March.
Responsibilities:
• Check-in guests
• Build relationship with guests
• Stay overnight in the facilities to monitor the guests
Mobile Outreach & Weekend Meal Outreach
The point of this program is to hit the streets, build relationships and provide real-time critical intervention. From there, access is provided for guests to obtain government IDs, they are introduced to weekend meals in Scranton or Wilkes-Barre, and they are directed to additional support.
Responsibilities:
• Travel with the team to provide real-time critical intervention
• Assist in obtaining photo IDs, clothing, etc
• Provide a cooked or prepared meal
• Stay and serve the meal, pray, and build relationships with guests
• Serve meals on the go in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre Friday–Monday
Innovation Center for Homeless & Poverty
Formerly known as the Day Center, this program is essentially an educational and hands-on training facility for guests. Breakfast and lunch are also available to guests. The Innovation Center will include vocational therapy, housing, agency collaboration, life skills training, job readiness training, spiritual training, and basic relief.
Responsibilities:
• Assist staff with serving breakfast and lunch
• Help guests with scheduling appointments
• Transport guests to appointments as needed
• Build relationships and motivate the men and women to better themselves
• Clean and fix things around the facility
• Other tasks as needed
Transformation Center
This is a 15-bed facility available to men across NEPA. The new center is built on a 5-Pillar program structure that will holistically transform lives and build back hurting individuals into contributing members of society.
Responsibilities:
- Drive residents to appointments
- Build relationships with residents over a board game
- Mentor residents through daily activities
- Cook a meal with residents
Documents & Resources
These documents are required to be completed as a volunteer at the organization. You’ll complete these as you fill-out the NEW ONLINE APPLICATION.
Fill out an Application
FAQs About Volunteering
How do I start the process of volunteering at Keystone Mission?
Find the volunteer application under VOLUNTEER and begin the process of filling out the needed information as well as where you would like to volunteer. Our staff will be in contact with you in 48 hours to confirm your application has been received.
What locations are available to serve as a volunteer?
We have opportunities in both Scranton and Wilkes-Barre from Monday through Friday from 8am-4pm with a few select options of weekends in the evenings. Please contact for more information on the weekend opportunities.
Who should I contact if I want to volunteer or if I have any questions about the process?
Please call 570-871-4795 and a staff member will be able to answer your questions. From there, you will be put you in contact with the supervisor of the program area in which you are interested in working.
Contact our volunteer coordinator at 570-871-4795 ext. 407 or Volunteer@KeystoneMission.org
Is there a dress code?
Women: For shirts, please do not wear any low cut, revealing, or exposing undergarments. We ask that no tank-tops or spaghetti tops be worn. Pants, please do not wear ripped or torn clothing. Anything excessively short or tight (ie: mini shorts, leggings).
Men: For shirts, we ask that you do not wear tank-tops, wife-beaters, or muscle shirts. Please stick to t-shirts or v-necks for shirts. Pants, please do not wear jeans with excessive cuts or rips, no high shorts above the thigh, or very tight jeans and pants.
Men and Women: We ask that all volunteers wear sneakers or closed-toe shoes. Protecting your feet and giving adequate footwear while serving on the streets in mobile outreach, lifting and carrying items at any of the builds, etc. is best for you.
*Modesty is the best form of practice when volunteering at the organization.
Can I complete a court-ordered community service at Keystone Mission?
The individual will be required to fill-out all necessary documents: Application, Background Check Agreement, Confidentiality Agreement, Mission Statement & Statement of Faith, and Emergency Contact Form. It is important the individual knows the process and that as an organization, we will try to help fulfill their court-order requirements.
Can I serve at Keystone Mission if I have a criminal history?
At Keystone Mission, we are in the business of transforming lives through relationships. Our standards are set high for volunteers because of the nature of our work.
Therefore, volunteers who have a past offense (please refer to the volunteer handbook, which is under review) may not initially be allowed to work or volunteer in any of our programs or offices; however, the leadership of our organization will review backgrounds and offenses on a case-by-case scenario.
Any additional questions regarding criminal history, please contact our office at (570)-871-4795.
Can my child volunteer?
Yes! Below are the required documents needed for each age group.
Age 12–15
• Application
• Emergency Contact
• Minor Waiver
• Mission Statement & Statement of Faith
*NOTE: Students between the ages of 12-15 must be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian; however, there is a Release Form available to give a "supervisor" permission from the parent/legal guardian to accompany the student while volunteering at the organization. Please reach out to the Volunteer Coordinator for more information.
Age 16-17
• Application
• Emergency Contact
• Minor Waiver
• Mission Statement & Statement of Faith
*NOTE: Students between the age of 16-17 do not need to be accompanied by a parent/legal guardian. Please reference the Volunteer Handbook, which is available to download below.
