Paid Work Agreements: Volunteering

Recovery housing programs may also require that residents volunteer as a way to develop job skills, work on soft skills, build relationships that can lead to employment and, in general, keep themselves busy even if they may not be able to have employment for whatever reason.

Residents should be able to choose where they volunteer. For example, a recovery housing program may have a relationship with a local thrift store, and residents may volunteer for the thrift store if they are looking to meet their agreed upon service hours. However, if the resident chooses, they can  volunteer at the humane society or for a local food pantry instead, if they are more interested in engaging in that type of volunteer service.

Requiring residents to volunteer for a specific organization in order to maintain housing is not allowable. This protects the rights of residents and protects them from potential abuses from employers.