Volunteer Opportunities
and Frequently Asked Questions
Click HERE to fill out our volunteer application form.
After more than two years of planning and development, in January 2026 Midcoast Maine Homeless Coalition (“MMHC”) opened our transitional housing project in Belfast. It provides lodging, food, and supportive services for local families who are experiencing housing instability and homelessness.
Family Harbor House needs compassionate people, like you, to volunteer and join a team of volunteers helping to provide ongoing services.
MMHC partnered with the Belfast United Methodist Church on Mill Lane to renovate a portion of the building to serve as transitional housing. The project’s large private family rooms, full kitchen, shared bathrooms, and dining/recreation area can accommodate up to 4 families at a time.
“Who can volunteer?”
- Anyone who is willing to support the mission of Family Harbor House “to help families stabilize their lives so they can then relocate to affordable permanent housing in the community.”
- To become a volunteer, please go to this page and complete an online Volunteer Application form.
- Or contact Family Harbor House at 207-218-1001, and complete a paper copy of the Volunteer Application form.
- All volunteers must attend a training session led by the Director of Family Harbor House. After you complete a Volunteer Application form, you will be contacted about the date of the next volunteer training session.
“What is the commitment and How much time /how often would I need to volunteer?”
- There are six “4-hour long shifts” each day of the week, and we need 2 volunteers to be at the program for each shift. But your commitment and volunteer time onsite is totally up to you- you can volunteer once a month, once a week or several times a week.
- After you complete the volunteer training, you will be given access to our computer-based daily scheduling program. FHH utilizes an online software program for volunteer scheduling, called SignUp, and this online platform will guide you through signing up for available volunteer time slots. Or you can call Family Harbor House staff at 207-216-1001.
- We hope that some volunteers will choose to stay for 2 contiguous “four-hour shifts” (8 hours total), but you are welcome to go online to SignUp and schedule yourself for whatever day (s) or time that you are available.
“What Does a Family Harbor House Volunteer Do?”
*Core Expectations of volunteers:
- Be a caring and supportive presence for the families of FHH
- Provide families with information about the operation of the facility
- Understand the rules of the House and provide operational support
- Listen and respond with empathy and kindness
- Help to provide joy and humor when appropriate
- Assist with meals
- Alert the FHH staff or Board members about any maintenance needs for the facility
*Some specific ways you may choose to support families:
- Assist families with cooking or preparations for breakfast, lunch or dinner
- Assist with upkeep and cleaning supplies for the common rooms.
- Provide homework help for children and/or play games
- Spend time providing friendly and supportive companionship for parents
Our Program Director, David Beseda, and the Members of the Board of Midcoast Maine Homeless Coalition are always ready to support our volunteers in any way that we can.
“How will I learn what to do as a Family Harbor House Volunteer?”
1. An in-person group training will be conducted by the Program Director and the Board of Directors. We will provide materials and discussions for volunteers to become acquainted with the organization, learn about volunteer responsibilities, and get to know other volunteers. This session will supply volunteers with the information, insights, and skills needed to perform their roles successfully.
2. Secondly -during your first volunteer “shift” – An orientation and on-site training session will help you:
- Learn about the specific volunteer roles and the activities they entail.
- Receive a tour of Family Harbor House and learn where everything is located.
- Review the Family Harbor House policies, rules, and procedures.
- Reiterate the MMHC/ Family Harbor House’s overarching goals, values, and mission.
Trainings will help volunteers to connect with the resident families in a friendly, respectful manner. Volunteers will discuss the best practices to promote a peaceful atmosphere, as well as procedures for handling conflicts and emergencies.
Safety Training – Safety is a critical component of volunteer training and we will discuss basic safety protocols, including:
- Reporting incidents and asking for help when needed.
- Setting boundaries.
- Training to effectively deal with fire emergency procedures or medical emergency procedures.
Teamwork and Collaboration– Volunteering is a joint effort and we will discuss the importance of the program’s coordination and teamwork with different roles and responsibilities. Family Harbor House aligns with many local organizations that will provide families with case management and other social services (such as Waldo Community Action Partners, Homeworthy, PCHC/Seaport Community Health Center, etc.).
Social context discussion: Volunteer training will include an overview of issues related to: Poverty and Economic Instability, Lack of Affordable Housing, Trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and the Intersections of Trauma, Poverty, and Homelessness.