Youth Group Opportunities



Because there are so many opportunities to help our house, we tailor the volunteer opportunities to each group's individual needs. Whether you are coming as a youth group or a small Sunday school class, our guests and staff appreciate the support. Whether you volunteer one time or want to come once a month – we welcome you. All volunteers under the age of 16 need to be supervised and within reach of a parent or guardian.

Volunteering One Time

No time to volunteer regularly? Bake some cookies or a casserole and simply drop it by the house. The guests will love it. We work with each group on an individual basis to meet their needs as well as the needs of the house.

Church or Youth Groups

Whether you're a group of friends, a school youth group or Sunday school class we welcome your help with our mission. Here are some opportunities to help:

  • Create goodie bags!
    Decorate 24 white lunch bags. Have the youth draw on the bags or create holiday designs and fill with simple goodies and bottled water, a candy bar, or a short note of encouragement. Whatever you would like to fill them with, they should be filled with goodies for any age. We will put them in the guest’s rooms for a welcomed surprise when they return from visiting their loved one.
  • Work in the yard.
    There are several times during the year when we need extra help to plant flowers, pull weeds, and fill the gaters (in summer). Please bring any work gloves or work tools you might need. We do not have enough supplies for an entire group.
  • Prepare a meal in your kitchen or in ours.
    There is a section below with more details about cooking a meal, but youth groups can also come and make a meal or some "stone soup" for our guests. This wonderful story helps youth understand that a little action by a few can make a big difference for many. Read the stone soup story for a great reminder that a simple meal of soup, salad, bread and dessert is perfect for our guests.
  • Make greeting cards for our guest.
    Craft stores have inexpensive packets of cards with matching envelopes. The youth can decorate the cards with their creative artwork or with a holiday theme. Leave them blank and the guests can use them to write home. We have a basket we use to put the blank cards in or write an encouraging note inside and we can put them in the guests rooms.
  • Host a Pantry Party – our supply pantry is always in need.
    In the past groups have held canned goods parties or paper parties where they have collected paper products such as facial tissue, paper towels, paper napkins and/or toilet paper (we use 50 rolls a week). The youth really enjoy seeing who can collect the most toilet paper. Remember: What you use in your house we use in ours, we just use more of it. Here is our list of requested supplies.
  • Bring flower arrangements.
    Flowers always brighten a room and make people feel better. Bring them from your garden or purchase from the store. Our guests will arrive back to see a beautiful vase of flowers.
  • Help us clean house.
    We do not have a daily cleaning crew and our guests and volunteers help us keep the house clean and fresh. Your crew can come and “spring clean” anytime.

Preparing a Meal for HHoC


  • Helpful Hints when preparing a meal for our guests:
  • We have about 30 guests to feed each night.
  • Our kitchen is simple. We have plates, cups etc. We have basic seasonings. If you need a special pan please call ahead to make sure we have one or bring your own.
  • “Heat and eat” meals or meals served right out of the refrigerator make it easy for guests. (These are nice too because our guests are all on different visitation schedules at the various hospitals and eat at different times.)
  • We encourage healthy eating but our guests appreciate any home-cooked meal, or home-baked cakes, cookies, and sweets.
  • We do not have scheduled meal times. We like to let the guests know before they leave for the hospital in the morning that a delicious meal will be waiting for them upon their return to the House. Please call to tell us that you will be bringing a meal so we may let our guests know in advance.
  • Suggested Hot Meals:
  • Casseroles (crock pot meals with lots of vegetables)
  • Soups (hearty soup on a cold night is filling and easy)
  • Baked chicken, roasts, etc.
  • Suggested Cold Meals and Side dishes:
  • Chicken salad, tuna salad, sliced deli meat, pasta salad, fruit salad, etc.
  • Cooked vegetables, macaroni and cheese, deviled eggs, rice, etc.
  • Salads
  • Vegetarian fare
  • Desserts:
  • Any homemade cakes, brownies, and cookies.