How You Can Help
PEC helps homeless families repair their lives. The families who turn to us for help achieve stability through our shelter and housing programs, as well as on-site counseling, employment, parenting and children’s programs. We invite you to join others who share a commitment to empowering individuals, families, and communities in the Philadelphia region through volunteering or making a financial donation.
Donate
Visit our donation page to see the different ways to make a financial contribution. Or click the donate button below.
Organize a drive
Would you like to organize a drive with your school, service group, community of faith or in your neighborhood? Our children have many different needs. An individual or group can organize a Holiday toy drive, Summer Camp Drive (towels, bathing suits, shorts), Birthday Gifts (new toys for children) or a School Supply Drive (backpacks, pencils, paper, crayons, glue). Before you begin to plan your drive, please contact Grace Hightower, Donations Coordinator, at (215) 382-7522 ext. 232 or for assistance.
Volunteer
PEC has ongoing and special needs for volunteers in our programs, administration and in the community. PEC started as an all-volunteer agency. We now use more than 300 volunteers each year. PEC is always looking for energetic people to lend a helping hand. For information on current volunteer needs, contact Rachel Washington, Development and Volunteer Assistant, at 215-382-7522 x221 or
her.
Volunteer for community events
You can help PEC plan, set up, assist attendees with seating, facilitate kids’ activities (face painting, games, crafts), serve prepared food, assist entertainers (balloon clown, mascots), and help to put away equipment and clean up after an event. These events for our homeless families and our neighborhood are perfect service projects for groups of 5 or more volunteers. We have activities in:
- April (Spring Event)
- May (Imprint Award)
- June (Day in the Park)
- July (Takin’ it to the Streets)
- October (Haunted House)
- November Homeless Youth Awareness Event, and
- December (Peace Tree Lighting).
Tutor Adults for their GEDs
Our homeless mothers need your help! Most of them are at a 4th to 6th grade reading level, yet they need their General Equivalency Diploma (GED) to earn a living wage to support their families. An increased literacy level also will improve their life skills and level of independence. PEC will provide GED testing tools for study. Adult volunteers with a background in working with economically and racially diverse populations preferred.
Assist with Summer Camp(June, July and August)
Our Summer Camp program needs volunteers (18 years and older) to assistant our teachers with swimming activities for homeless children. Come swim with us and have a great time while giving back to your community! Summer Camp also needs assistants for games, academic activities, outdoor recreation, and field trips Monday - Friday from 9am to 5pm. There are limited opportunities in this program for high school Juniors and Seniors (16 years and older) to work with younger children. Volunteers should enjoy working with children and have a positive, nurturing, can-do attitude.
Assist in PEC’s After-School Program; help kids with their homework in PEC’s After-School Program
Provide after-school homework help and tutoring for one of our school age children. Similar to a mentoring program, this is a great opportunity for anyone interested in gaining experience in social services. Consistency and dedication to PEC’s efforts in helping children break the cycle of homelessness and poverty is critical to this position. Volunteers should have a willingness to work with children in a busy after-school environment; excellent people skills, enthusiasm for helping others and a respectful attitude are a must.
Client Privacy Statement
In keeping with our mission, PEC seeks to honor and preserve the dignity, privacy and self-esteem of the families we serve. It is therefore our policy to carefully restrict access to our clients and their living quarters. As a rule, only PEC staff, partnering service providers, and selected volunteers will be allowed to interact with PEC mothers and children living on our premises. PEC's policy is consistent with current child protection privacy laws.
For more information or to volunteer please contact Rachel Washington by phone 215-382-7522 ext. 221 or .
