Finding a Volunteering “Home” at Belkin House

On July 27, 2025, we returned to Belkin House for our second volunteer shift this summer. Located in downtown Vancouver and operated by The Salvation Army, Belkin House offers emergency shelter and transitional housing for individuals and families in need. With room for up to 224 residents, it is a space where people find not only shelter, but also support, dignity, and hope.

Following our first visit, we were excited to return. Volunteers once again took on hands-on roles in the kitchen and dining areas, including:

• Preparing and packaging meals

• Serving lunch and dinner to residents

• Helping with general kitchen and dining clean-up

  
  

We were welcomed back with open arms. The Belkin House team remembered us and made it clear how much they valued our support. The sense of connection had already started to grow, not just between our team and theirs, but with the residents as well. Everyone we met contributed to the warm, respectful environment.

As with our earlier shift, volunteers shared a meal together after the work was done. Some weekday volunteers also received a guided tour of the facility. One of the most touching parts of the tour was hearing that many residents choose to make their beds every morning and help keep the building clean. These everyday acts speak volumes about the care and responsibility residents take in their shared space.

The highlight of volunteering here? At least six of our Volunteer Ambassadors felt so moved by the experience so far that they decided to become long-term individual volunteers with Belkin House. They picked up registration forms right away and made the commitment on the spot. That kind of immediate connection is exactly what our program is all about.

This is what makes the Volunteer Ambassadors program special. It’s about finding your place. It’s about discovering causes that speak to you. And sometimes, it leads to something lasting.

Whether you are curious about volunteering for the first time or ready to find a cause you care about, we would love to have you join us. The Volunteer Ambassadors program is here to help you take that first step.