Become a HER Volunteer!

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the HER Shelter! We appreciate your support for our clients and would be glad to have you join our volunteer team. 

HER Shelter volunteer opportunities include but are not limited to:

• Organizing  / Sorting donation items in the HER clothing closet
• Cleaning

• Yardwork / Maintenance
• Work an event      

• Hold a donation collection drive
• Movers - Assist clients transitioning from shelter to their own place by  transporting mattresses, furniture and other needed items       

• Provide a dinner for HER Shelter families


If you are interested in volunteering at the HER Shelter, please fill out a registration form Here. Our volunteer coordinator will then connect with you as well as add your contact information to our active volunteer email list, where you will receive updates and announcements on HER Shelter events and volunteer opportunities throughout the year. 


For all questions regarding volunteer and internship opportunities, please email our volunteer coordinator at Melody@hershelter.com


Volunteer Eligibility Policy can be found HERE


Volunteer Handbook can be found HERE.

Become a Preschool Play Volunteer

What is it? Preschool Playtime is a childcare program designed to enable our moms to make appointments with our staff members, attend job fairs and interviews, mental health appointments, and search for housing or daycare centers.


How does it work? Preschool Playtime is a childcare program for children ages 2-5 who are not yet in school. It is intended not just to be a childcare time, but a skills development time to better prepare for upcoming school years. However, at times children as young as newborns may attend if their mom has an appointment that necessitates care being provided.


When & Where? Preschool Playtime will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 am - 12 pm. One day a week at our Portsmouth HER Shelter and one day a week at our Portsmouth Restore Homeless Shelter. We hope to kick off the program on Tuesday, September 13th.


Information to take note of:


• This is an ongoing opportunity - during the beginning launch of the program, it is preferred for volunteers to be scheduled once a week. As more volunteers come on board into the program, volunteers may be scheduled once a month depending on registrations. However, volunteers are still able to register with an interest if your schedule only allows for bi-weekly or monthly volunteering.

• Volunteers for this program will need to complete a background check through the HER Shelter. Our volunteer coordinator will send out background checks to all confirmed Preschool Playtime volunteers

• Training will take place on site before volunteering begins


If you would like to volunteer please register at HERE


Calling All Males!  Become a Male Mentor!

What is it? The Male Mentoring Program is a monthly outing where our male mentors meet Youth & Family Services staff/interns and shelter kids at a predetermined location for an evening of activity and fun. EX: A bowling event, mini golf, ice skating, etc.


When?Scheduled monthly



Information to take note of: Male mentors must be men who are at least 18 years old. At times, teen males may be included to partner up with younger kids, provided they are attending along with a background cleared adult male mentor. These outings are for children (of all genders) Kindergarten – 17 years old. Outings are once a month and are on the 4th Thursday each month. During the months of November and December, outings are changed to the 3rd Thursday of the month so as not to interfere with the holidays. Typical start time is between 6-6:30pm and we usually finish within 2 hours. In the event we attend a movie or special outing, times may vary.