Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the requirements?
A: Volunteers must be 18 or older, complete the online orientation, and attend the 1.5 hour volunteer training.

Q: Do I have to be a Christian to volunteer at CityLink?
A: Nope! All are welcome. We are faith-based organization and that exists to follow Jesus' teaching of loving our neighbors. We won't ever shy away from talking about our faith, but we don't require that our clients or volunteers to share that faith.

Q: What is my time commitment?
A: Your time commitment depends on your serving role. Most shifts are 2-4 hours long, and CityLink hours of operation are 8am-5:30pm except on Wednesday. Wednesday 8am-8:30pm

Q: May I volunteer more than one shift per week?
A: Of course you can! Many of our volunteers give their time more than once a week, sometimes even in 2+ serving areas. We are especially interested in recruiting long-term volunteers. It's truly up to your schedule availability.

Q: I need to do community service in order to receive assistance. Can I fulfill this requirement at CityLink?
A: No. We do not accept volunteers who need volunteer hours for assistance.

Q: What should I bring with me to volunteer?
A: Bring a warm smile and a spirit of encouragement. If your shift is over a meal, feel free to pack a lunch or snacks.

Q: What should I wear?
A: Wear comfortable clothing, and if the Reds or Bengals are in town feel free to support the team.

Q: What time do I need to arrive for my serving shift?
A: We have built most shifts with a "15 minute" buffer before a class starts (for education, class facilitators, workforce development). As for other roles, if you can be here a few minutes early to get situated, that'd be great! By no means should you break any traffic laws to get here. We understand Cincinnati traffic patterns during inclement weather are a little goofy, so just be safe.

Q: What if I can only serve once a month?
A: We want you to serve where and when your gifts and talents will be best employed. We value our volunteers and the commitment they make to our mission and clients. We would love for you to be here when you can, just know that there may be things you'll need a little refresher on depending on your team.

Q: Are volunteers provided breakfast/lunch/dinner?
A: Not usually. Volunteers do, on occasion, bring snacks or goodies to share with the team. We do have refrigerators and microwaves in case you need to bring your lunch pail and heat up your meal.

Q: Are there weekend volunteer opportunities?
A: No, CityLink operating hours are Mondays-Fridays 8am-5pm with an exception of Wednesday from 8am-8:30pm.

Q: What if I change my mind about the team I want to volunteer with?
A: No worries. We want our volunteers to serve on the team that best fits their skills and passion. Just email the Director of Volunteer Mobilization and we can assign you to another team or add you to additional teams. There may be additional training to complete for your new team role.

Q: What are the roles where the need is greatest? I want to sign up where there's the most need.
A: Our biggest volunteer needs right now are in Hospitality, Workforce Development, Service Coordinator Support, Clothing Connection, and Automotive. If you are interested in serving in those areas, we'd love to have you join us!

More questions?
Please don't hesitate to reach out with any additional questions. We're here to help!

Becky Heisler, Director of Volunteer Mobilization
becky.heisler@citylinkcenter.org
513.357.2000 ext. 1003