About
What Is It?
A nonprofit that provides services — meals, showers, laundry service, case management, medical and psychiatric care, pro bono legal services, and pastoral care — that “help restore dignity, self-respect, and hope to Houston’s poor and homeless.”
Help Needed:
Volunteer activities include helping prepare and serve meals, laundering and folding clothes, and greeting clients. Please contact The Beacon for COVID-related updates.
Details
Minimum Age to Volunteer
16 to volunteer independently. Young adults ages 13-15 may volunteer with an adult guardian. Due to safety concerns and liability reasons, no children under the age of 13 are permitted to volunteer.
Time Commitment
Kitchen and laundry shifts are 3 hours and 15 minutes long. Intake shifts are 2 hours long.
Suitable for Groups of Volunteers?
Yes. Groups of 6-15 are welcome, and, with advance notice, the Beacon is happy to accommodate groups of 15-30.
Training Needed
Those who are interested in volunteering must be “enthusiastic, willing to serve others, and able to offer a warm smile to those in need.”
Help Needed
KITCHEN, LAUNDRY, AND INTAKE ASSISTANCE
Volunteer activities include helping prepare and serve meals, laundering and folding clothes, and greeting clients.
Contact Details
Contact
Location
THE BEACON
Houston, Texas 77002
Location Details
Houston, Texas 77002
Additional Information
Examples of past Scout projects
Eagle: Brooks A. (Troop 1223) assembled more than 100 “Hope Kits” (blanket, beanie, book, toiletries, letters of encouragement, water, snacks) and distributed them to Beacon clients. (2019)
Eagle: Zachary L. (Troop 55) Built and installed message boards and repainted walls; powerwashed the shower areas, painted the shower doors, and provided signs and cigarette disposal units.
Eagle: Christopher Z. (Troop 46) made and distributed 200 care packages containing water, snacks, masks, and hand sanitizer. (2020)
Eagle: William P. (Troop 55) built and installed message boards and repainted walls. (2013)
Eagle: Addison S. (Troop 505) repainted walls at the Beacon. (2013)
Eagle: Gator A. (Troop 505) designed and built bookshelves for the Beacon. (2013)
Gold Award: Victoria N. produced a combined art therapy class and breakfast.
Gallery
The Beacon trusts you to be mature and passionate enough of a volunteer to step out from behind the scenes and directly serve those who use their facilities. Interacting with the clients is inspiring and fulfilling as you see how your work is affecting others. They do a great job helping Houston’s homeless and I recommend volunteering with them to any high school student that enjoys hands-on service and meeting a variety of interesting, nice people.
Great place to volunteer and help Houston’s homeless community in the downtown area. The day care provides a meal, laundry, and a shower for everyday clients and provides housing, legal, medical, and transportation services to those who are eligible. Ideal community service work for high school and college students who enjoy helping their community and earning credits for their schools. Also a great place for work groups and families to work together to help others. Quite a fulfilling experience.