Year-Long Application Process
Emmanuel House
What are the requirements for participation?
What are the volunteer benefits?
Is prior medical experience required?
Where will I live?
When can I start?
Are there religious requirements?
How much time will I get to spend with the patients?
Can I go to school or work part-time during my volunteer year?
Is the neighborhood around Christ House and Emmanuel House safe?
Can I come and visit Christ House and Emmanuel House before I apply to volunteer?
What about the rest of your application process?
What are the requirements for participation?
- Desire to work alongside people experiencing homelessness and contribute to the Christ House mission of healing and hope
- Willing to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and some holidays.
- Ability to live and fully participate in the Emmanuel House intentional community including weekly Community Nights.
- Commitment to being present in mind, heart, and body throughout the year of service.
- Must be 21 years of age or older
What are the volunteer benefits?
- Share a sacred space with men who are sick and experiencing homelessness while working alongside compassionate and dedicated staff members
- Experience intentional residential community at Emmanuel House including room and board
- Have the chance to grow and discern your vocation
- Serve with a nonprofit in the awesome city of DC
- Health, dental and vision insurance
- Individual monthly stipend of $125
- Generous communal monthly food stipend
- $1,500 end-of-year bonus upon completion of year of service
- Continuous educational opportunities
- Time off (vacation, sick, and holiday leave)
Is prior medical experience required?
With the exception of the Registered Nurse, medical experience is not required for our volunteer positions. Some experience in a medical setting is preferable for the Respite Care Assistant and Clinical Unit Assistant positions, but not required. We will train you in any treatments or procedures.
Where will I live?
All Christ House Year Long Volunteers live at Emmanuel House, an incredible rowhome about a block from Christ House. See Emmanuel House for more information.
When can I start?
The program runs June to June each year.
Are there religious requirements?
There are no religious requirements to serve as a Year Long Volunteer with the Christ House community. Christ House welcomes people of all faiths. There are a number of optional opportunities to connect spiritually in the community, and we invite staff members, volunteers and patients to join us for various spiritual programs throughout the week, as they are able and so desire.
How much time will I get to spend with the patients?
All staff and volunteers at Christ House are actively engaged in a ministry of presence with the patients. Whether you are working in an office, serving on the medical team or planning activities, you will have plenty of opportunity to interact with patients in many different settings.
Can I go to school or work part-time during my volunteer year?
No. Christ House asks that all Year Long Volunteers make a commitment to both their year of service and to the intentional volunteer residential community at Emmanuel House. Volunteers are not to hold other employment or enroll in universities during their year of service.
Can I come and visit Christ House and Emmanuel House before I apply to volunteer?
Absolutely! Prospective Year Long Volunteers are welcome to schedule a visit to Christ House. We would love to show you around our community! Please contact administration@christhouse.org to set up a time to visit.
What about the rest of your application process?
We accept application packets until all positions are filled, but early submissions are highly encouraged. The priority deadline for consideration is December 1. Initial interviews for applicants will be offered in early December. All applications received after December 1 will be reviewed on a rolling basis for positions that remain open.
The Year Long Volunteer Selection Committee reviews all completed application packets and invites top candidates for interviews, starting with a community life interview and followed by position specific interviews. We conduct interviews virtually unless an applicant is local and would prefer an in-person interview.
The selection committee makes final decisions about candidates and the Volunteer Services Coordinator informs program candidates of their selection to the program.