Make real friends. Make a real difference.
Our Ally volunteers commit to a 6-month journey alongside individuals reaching for financial stability.
Connect with amazing people
Share your unique gifts
Learn & grow with purpose
Finding the right fit as a volunteer shouldn’t be this hard.
You’ve been looking for the perfect opportunity, but hours of research leave you more confused then when you started. You know that poverty is a complex problem and it’s hard to know where to start. It can all be overwhelming and leave you feeling as though you’re not making a difference.
Connecting with real people and making a real difference is possible. You don’t have to have the answers, just the heart.
Neighborhood is on a mission to provide every person in our community the resources needed to make ends meet.
Many of your hardworking neighbors live in financial poverty, struggling to get by. In 6 months, we provide pathways to living-wage careers so they can continue to make our communities thriving places to live, work, and belong.
Calling all Allies
An Ally is a member of our community who volunteers to walk alongside Leaders on their journey to financial freedom. Allies become friends, confidants, and motivators who share in both the successes and struggles of life in community.
Connect With Amazing People
Our program participants, who we call “Leaders”, are determined, kind, and full of possibility. We provide a simple and clear path to lasting friendships from introduction to graduation.
Share Your Unique Gifts
You already have everything you need to have an impact as an Ally. You’ll have natural opportunities to share your skills, hobbies, and network with our Leaders, helping them on their journey.
Learn & Grow With Purpose
Being an Ally is about giving and receiving. Your time as a volunteer includes training and support to help you engage social issues with humility and confidence.
We get it - it’s hard to know where to begin in addressing inequality.
Living in an underserved community, we’ve seen the barriers facing people in poverty. We’ve built a community with a clear understanding of the issues and a simple approach to establishing lasting friendships.
“I really valued the chance to connect so deeply with strangers. Through the games, conversations, and dinners we were able to develop real friendships.”
“I was surprised at how much I learned from the Leaders. I hope they were encouraged by my friendship, but their friendships to me spoke volumes!”
How To Become An Ally
1. Get Accepted
After completing the short application form, you’ll be able to schedule a time for an informal phone interview with a member of our team to answer your questions and make sure we’re the right fit for you.
2. Get Trained
You’ll receive two intensive nights of training before your time as an Ally even begins. We’ll cover our philosophy, approach, and spell out all the details you need to feel confident.
3. Get Connected
The journey to make a real difference through real relationships starts right away. Our program is designed to build trust over time so that you can share your gifts with the Leaders and feel the impact.
What It Means to Be A Neighborhood Ally
Every Wednesday Night
Community Gatherings take place every Wednesday night from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on our campus. A meal and childcare (up to age 12) is provided
Attendance for 6 months
We hold Leaders to a high standard of attendance and ask our Allies to do the same. We ask that you make it a priority to attend each Community Gathering meal!
Relational Commitment
You will be placed with a small group of Leaders and other Allies, meeting with them once a week throughout the entire six months in our program.
What are Community Gatherings?
Every Wednesday from 6pm – 8pm, we invite Leaders, Allies, and Staff to enjoy an evening filled with dinner, games, and small groups. As an Ally, this is your primary opportunity to initiate and build meaningful relationships, provide professional support, and learn from the stories and experiences of the other Leaders and Allies in your small group!
Your Community Gathering Experience
6:00 pm – Fix a plate for dinner, find a seat, start a conversation with friends
6:30 – Laugh a lot while you play a silly large group game
6:45 – “Shout Out” another member of the community for their recent accomplishments
7:00 – Catch up with the members your small group, talk about a personal or professional topic
7:45 – Head home encouraged by the Leaders’ grit and determination
Make real friends. Make a real difference.
So many of us are overwhelmed by the inequality and pain we see around us, without knowing how to help. Neighborhood works because people like you commit to build real relationships with people from all walks of life. We provide a structured community for you to learn, grow, and contribute to making a better world.