Join Us and Become a Force for Good
Volunteer Corps
Our Volunteer Corps is a year-long residential program for those looking to make a significant social justice impact in the lives of those experiencing homelessness and extreme poverty in our nation’s capital. Corps members provide direct service to individuals and families and learn first-hand the challenges of poverty and the injustices many in our community face. It is a life-changing experience.
Why Volunteer with Us?
Make an Impact
Gain Work Experience
Live in Washington, DC
Defer Student Loans
What You Can Help With
- Housing for families or single adults
- Job training
- Addiction recovery programs
- Elderly services
- Food distribution
- Medical and dental clinics
- Mental health services
How to Apply
Are you eligible?
- You can commit to 40 hour per week for one year
- You are 21 years of age or older
- You are a college graduate or equivalent
**Applications for the 2023-2024 service term are now open**
For more information, contact Tracey Peranich, SOME’s Chief of Staff at 202.793.5843 or tperanich@some.org.
FAQs
For any other questions, contact Tracey Peranich at 202.793.5843 or tperanich@some.org.
Corps members are involved in all aspects of SOME’s services, e.g., medical and dental clinics, single and family housing programs, elderly services, job training, mental health services, or addiction programs. All service placements begin as a collaborative discussion between SOME’s President and the Corps member and are based on the organization’s needs and the Corps member’s gifts, talents, interests, and abilities. Additionally, all Corps members must assist with our summer camp program for low-income seniors.
Volunteers begin their service term in late August. The service term ends in late July.
Guests of Corps members are always welcome to visit and/or share a meal. All in the house should welcome guests and make them feel at home. Overnight guests are welcome provided there is room in the house and everyone agrees to an overnight guest. Corps members must clear guests visiting with the Volunteer Coordinator and other Corps members, letting them know when and how long a guest will be visiting. If a private room is not available, a guest could sleep on a couch if all Corps members agree.
Each Corps member is entitled to two weeks of vacation and 11 sick days during the year as well as ten legal holidays.
SOME will provide a letter that indicates the duration of your service, August to July, and the amount of your stipend. Most lenders will offer deferment or forbearance on your loan(s) due to economic hardship. It would be wise to contact your lenders now to discuss this matter and let them know of your possible full-time service and if they will allow deferment or forbearance.
We strive to ‘live simply so others may simply live.’ SOME’s Volunteer Corps Program provides a shared living situation for Corps members in Gandhi House, located in Northeast Washington, DC, walking distance to Catholic University of America (CUA). Each member has a private room. Up to five volunteers, men and women, live in Gandhi House. A willingness to participate and contribute to this experience is essential to each volunteer. The characteristics of this type of communal living are: a simple lifestyle, a supportive and shared living environment, and welcoming hospitality to each other and visitors.