Volunteer News | April-May 2026 | | Volunteer Opportunities and Announcements | | |
Greetings!
What a spring we have lined up. We have the second cohort of families moving into our ADC Family Campus in early May! On top of that, both campuses are busy with classes and gearing up for summer learning. Whether you enjoy housing, education, or administrative work, we hope you'll volunteer in our community of hope!
Please sign up for jobs through our online volunteer database, Volunteer Matrix. If you have any questions, please refer to the staff members in charge of the events listed below or you may contact Dianne Campbell, Director of Development at dcampbell@saranamabq.org or (505) 934-9110.
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It is so exciting to have a new cohort of families join us on what will become our new, regular schedule on the Westside.
There are so many ways to make both campuses welcoming places for families.
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Donation Center Sorting and Organizing
Date(s): Tuesdays and Thursdays
Time: 11am-1pm
Location: Westside- ADC Family Campus (4651 Montano Blvd. NW- Donation Center)
Details: Love organizing? We hold sorting and organizing sessions every week. Join us to help keep the space tidy and ready for whatever families need in their homes.
Requirements: none
Staff Member: Sign up online and direct questions to: Jennifer Clear, Housing Coordinator
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Westside Campus Cleanup
Date(s):
Saturday, May 30
Thursday, June 4
Time: 8:30-10:30
Location: Westside: Saranam ADC Family Campus Office (4651 Montano Blvd. NW-Donation Center)
Details: Join us for our Campus Cleanup the first Thursday of every month to undertake landscaping and repair tasks to ensure the campus is a welcoming place for our families to call home. We also have a Saturday date available for anyone who can't make it during the week.
Requirements: none
Staff Member: Sign up online and direct questions to: Dede Walden Facilities Manager
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Eastside Campus Cleanup
Date(s): Tuesday May 12
Saturday April 25
Time: 8:30-10:30am
Location: Eastside: Weil Family Center 10400 San Jacinto Dr. NE
Details: Our Campus Cleanups on the Eastside take place on the second Tuesday of the month. We will focus on repair and maintenance tasks that keep our campus functional and safe for our families. We also have a Saturday date available for anyone who can't make it during the week.
Requirements: none
Staff Member: Sign up online and direct questions to: Dede Walden Facilities Manager
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Volunteer Receptionist
Date(s): Mon-Thurs. 11:45-1:00pm and
April 13 (9:45-11:15)
*Emergency substitute position available as well
Location: Westside-Saranam ADC Family Campus Office (4651 Montano Blvd. NW)
Details: We’re seeking friendly volunteers to cover our front desk during required staff meetings and scheduled lunch breaks. Volunteers will greet visitors, assist donors, direct families and community members to the appropriate staff in our office and receive packages.
Can't commit regularly? You can also sign up as an emergency substitute in the event of staff illness or cancellations. Email Brittany Evans to let her know your availability.
Requirements: none
Staff Member: Sign up online and direct questions to: Brittany Evans, Office Manager
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Monthly Supply Sorting (FTA Campus, Eastside)
Date(s): Wednesday April 22, May 20
Time: 9:30-11:30am
Location: Eastside-Saranam Classroom (1100 Eubank Blvd. NE, Suite A)
Details: Help us sort and fulfill each family's monthly supply orders. Families order from a list of available products and we gather and organize supplies for pick-up.
Requirements: none
Staff Member: Sign up online and direct questions to: Jennifer Clear, Housing Coordinator
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Monthly Supply Sorting (ADC Family Campus, Westside)
Date(s): Wednesday May 13, June 10
Time: 9:30-11:30am
Location: Westside-Saranam ADC Family Campus Office (4651 Montano Blvd. NW-Donation Center)
Details: Help us sort and fulfill each family's monthly supply orders. Families order from a list of available products and we gather and organize supplies for pick-up.
Requirements: none
Staff Member: Sign up online and direct questions to: Jennifer Clear, Housing Coordinator
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Welcome Kits
Date(s): Due by April 30
Time: flexible, remote
Location: Westside-Saranam ADC Family Campus
Details: We still have a few welcome kits to fulfill! These kits ensure that every home is stocked with all the supplies families need to get started. Sign up for a themed “welcome kit” for each home, including laundry, paper goods, first-aid, cleaning supplies, toiletry supplies, basic tool kit, or school supplies bundles. 11 of each welcome kit are needed. You can collect one or several!
Volunteers collect items, put them in container (bag, box or basket), and deliver it to Saranam. Sign up to collect items for one or several kits!
Requirements: none
Staff Member: Sign up online and direct questions to: Jennifer Clear, Housing Coordinator
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New Decorators
Date(s): Decorating starts April 20, 2026
Location: Westside-Saranam ADC Family Campus (4651 Montano Blvd. NW)
Details: Have you always wanted to put together a home for a family? It's not too late! We can still use some additional decorators to help prepare the homes for families to move in.
We provide all of the furniture and most of the household items needed and you can commit to as many or as few rooms as you want. Bring a friend! It's a great way to build community.
Email Jen Clear, Housing Coordinator, for more information. jclear@saranamabq.org
Requirements: none
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Orientation Desserts
Date: Week of May 11
Location: Westside-Saranam ADC Family Campus Donation Center (4651 Montano Blvd. NW)
Details: Love to bake? We need a few people to bring a dessert during our orientation week to welcome our new families to the program. It can be simple- cookies, brownies, etc. We will need enough for about 25 people.
Requirements: None.
Staff Member: Sign up online and direct questions to: Brittany Evans, Office Manager
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Library Book Transfer
Date: Flexible (after May 15)
Time: flexible
Location: Eastside -Weil Family Center (10400 San Jacinto Ave. NE)
Details: We need a little help moving the books we've set aside for our Westside library from their storage place at our Eastside campus. If we have many hands, we can do it quickly.
Requirements: Ability to lift at least 25lbs
Staff Member: Sign up online and direct questions to: Stephanie Pankratz, Family Activity Coordinator
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ADC Family Center Decorating
Date(s): Monday, May 4
Time: 10:00-12:00pm
Location: Westside-Saranam ADC Family Campus (4651 Montano Blvd. NW-Family Center)
Details: The Ash Family Center is ready for setup! If you would like to help us put it together and make it a child-friendly space, we've got a job with your name on it.
If you really love decorating, we also have an opening for a volunteer (or volunteer group) to change over seasonal decorations every month. You will be responsible for bringing or making the decorations.
Requirements: none
Staff Member: Sign up online and direct questions to: Stephanie Pankratz, Family Activity Coordinator
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Library Setup
Date: Tuesday, May 5
Time: 10:00-12:00pm
Location: Westside-Saranam ADC Family Campus Office (4651 Montano Blvd. NW-Family Center)
Details: We are ready to stock our library shelves! If you would like to help label books, put them on shelves, and create a warm, welcoming space, join us!
Requirements: Ability to lift at least 25lbs
Staff Member: Sign up online and direct questions to: Stephanie Pankratz, Family Activity Coordinator
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Project Managers
Date: Friday, June 5
Time: 9am-12pm and 1-4pm
Location: Westside-Saranam ADC Family Campus Donation Center (4651 Montano Blvd. NW)
Details: We have a large volunteer group (50 ppl) joining us in June and we would love to have some project managers to help our staff ensure they are supported and provide any logistical help as needed. You can sign up for a morning or afternoon shift.
Requirements: none, but handyman/construction knowledge is a bonus!
Staff Member: Sign up online and direct questions to: Jennifer Clear, Housing Coordinator
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Father's Day Baskets
Date: by June 17
Location: Drop off at either Eastside or Westside location
Details: Believe it or not, Father's Day is just around the corner! We have at least 3 fathers to celebrate in our program and maybe more in our new cohort. Help us show our appreciation for their hard work by putting together some Father's Day baskets for them!
Requirements: none. You will be responsible for purchasing, assembling and delivering the items.
Staff Member: Sign up online and direct questions to: Stephanie Pankratz, Family Activity Coordinator
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Handyperson Projects
Date: flexible
Location: Eastside-Weil Family Center (10400 San Jacinto Ave. NE)
Details: We have a few projects that could use a handyperson's helpful touch with, including some garden bed repairs, building storage shelves, replacing latticework, and paint touchups. If you like to work with your hands, shoot us an email! Date/time is flexible.
Requirements: none
Staff Member: Sign up online and direct questions to: Dede Walden, Facilities Manager
| | Do you have a group that would love to serve together? These are perfect opportunities for a few friends to enjoy. | | |
Meal Kits
Date(s): Flexible
Location: either campus
Details: Providing meal kits is a great way to share a budget-friendly, kid-approved meal that families can make again and again.
Volunteers provide at least 10 meal kits for our families, complete with detailed recipe and the nonperishable items for the meal. Saranam will distribute to families at one of our campuses.
Requirements: none
Contact Jennifer Clear, Housing Coordinator, to set up plan for your group!
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End of School Celebration
Date(s): Wed. May 27
Time: 5:00-7:00pm
Location: Eastside-Weil Family Center, 10400 San Jacinto Dr. NE
Details: School is almost done! Help us celebrate with our families with dinner and some fun activities to ring in the summer. If you like throwing a good party, join us!
Your group will be responsible for dinner for 30-35 people as well as bringing the supplies for activities.
Note: this is a group project. It is best with at least 3-4 people helping.
Requirements: none
Staff Members: Sign up online and direct questions to:
Eastside Family Activity Coordinator, Susan Leung
| | We offer everything from life skills to employability skills. Join us this spring and summer for lots of learning opportunities! | | | |
Family Nights at ADC Family Campus
Date(s): Wednesdays (1-2x/month)
Time: 5:00-7:00pm
Location: Westside(Saranam Classroom, 4651 Montano Blvd. NW)
Details: Join us for our family nights at our ADC Family Campus! We need 1-2 volunteers to help one or two Wednesdays per month.
Please note that we do ask for consistent volunteers, not one-time attendees, to allow you a chance to build a relationship with our families.
Requirements: Saranam Safe Sanctuaries training and current background check
*Please email Stephanie Pankratz, Family Activity Coordinator, with your interest in this opportunity. We can work out a unique schedule for you.
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Yoga Instructor
Date: Monday, May 11
Time: 5:00-6:00pm (group #1) 6:00-7:00pm (group #2)
Location: Eastside-Weil Family Center, 10400 San Jacinto Dr. NE
Details: Do you have a passion for sharing yoga with both adults and kids? The movement and stress management benefits it offers makes yoga a great life skill to learn. Sign up to to teach the classes for our families!
Requirements: none
Staff Members: Sign up online and direct questions to:
Eastside Family Activity Coordinator- Susan Leung
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Employability Skills
Dates for semester at BOTH campuses
- Cover Letter Creation: July 10, 17, 24
- Mock Interviews: July 31, August 7
Time: 8:30-11:30am
Details: You got that right- we're holding our signature Employability Skills class at BOTH campuses in July and August. This class prepares students to apply for the job of their dreams.
We need 2-3 volunteers at both campuses to help our families in cover letter writing workshops and mock interviews. No experience necessary but a background in writing, HR, or the hiring process is a huge bonus!
Requirements: Saranam Safe Sanctuaries training and current background check
Staff Members: Sign up online and direct questions to: Education Coordinator, Amy Carpenter.
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Share a Meal for Family Night
Dates for semester:
Eastside (Weil Family Center, 10400 San Jacinto Ave. NE)
- April 22, 29 (5:00pm)
- May 20 (5:00pm)
Westside (Saranam Classroom, 4651 Montano Blvd. NW)
Details: Food is the glue of community! We love to make a shared meal a part of our family nights. Volunteers will provide a meal for between 30-45 people (dependent on day and campus selected). You are welcome to stick around and join our families for some good community conversation and fun!
*This is a special welcome dinner for new families at our ADC Family Campus.
Requirements: none
Staff Members: Sign up online and direct questions to:
Westside Family Activity Coordinator- Stephanie Pankratz
Eastside Family Activity Coordinator- Susan Leung
| | Our alumni events are a great way to keep the community and learning going, even after families leave Saranam. We would love your help making these events happen! | | | |
April Alumni Event
Date: Saturday, April 25
Time: 11:00-2:30pm
Location: Eastside- Weil Family Center, 10400 San Jacinto Ave. NE
Details: Join us for April's alumni gathering! We will need 2-3 volunteers to help with setup, facilitating activities, childcare, and more.
Requirements: Saranam Safe Sanctuaries training and current background check
Staff Member: Sign up online and direct questions to: Leighann Plummer, Alumni Coordinator
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May Alumni Event
Date: Saturday, May 23
Time: 11:00-2:30pm
Location: Eastside- Weil Family Center, 10400 San Jacinto Ave. NE
Details: We need 2-3 volunteers to help make this event a success. If you've wanted to get involved with families but are only available on weekends, this is for you!
Requirements: Saranam Safe Sanctuaries training and current background check
Staff Member: Sign up online and direct questions to: Leighann Plummer, Alumni Coordinator
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Volunteer Training
We are holding two volunteer trainings at our ADC Family Campus soon. Join us to learn more about Saranam's program, trauma-informed care, and child abuse prevention. This is a required training for anyone wanting to work directly and regularly with Saranam families.
- Friday, May 1, 9:00-12:30
- Saturday, Jun 27, 9:00-12:30
Sign up through Volunteer Matrix or contact Sunny Holmes at sholmes@saranamabq.org or (505) 377-5086.
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Volunteer Matrix Instructions
Need some help with our volunteer database, Volunteer Matrix? We can help!
Here are a couple of how-to videos outlining how to fill out an application and sign up for volunteer jobs.
Setting up a profile
Signing up for volunteer jobs
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You're Invited!
We have several events coming up that we would love to see you at!
- Saranam Sunday
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Every year Central United Methodist Church hosts "Saranam Sunday" to celebrate the work that began at the church. You'll hear remarks from Saranam's Executive Director, Tracy Weaver, and a success story from one of our families on May 3 at 11:00am at 201 University Blvd. SE. No RSVP required.
- Grand Opening
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Our ADC Family Campus is finally complete! We hope you'll come to celebrate the opening of this momentus achievement. Join us May 7 from 10:00-12:30 at 4651 Montano Blvd. NW.
- RSVP here
- Pictures of Hope
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For the second year in a row, several of Saranam's youth participated in "Pictures of Hope", capturing photographs that represent their hopes and dreams . They will unveil their works of heart at the Albuquerque Museum on Friday, May 29 from 10am-12pm. No RSVP required.
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