Share Your Time. Change a Day.
At Goshen Home Care, volunteers bring companionship, laughter, and connection into five real homes across Overland Park and Shawnee. No medical experience required — just a caring heart and a bit of your time.
Defining Core Volunteer Roles
Because Goshen is a collection of intimate, residential environments rather than a massive, cold institution, volunteers can offer highly personalized, non-medical support.
Companionship & Socialization
Reading books aloud, playing card or board games, working on puzzles, or simply sharing stories and a cup of tea with residents.
Life Enrichment & Hobbies
Leading small-scale activities based on a volunteer's specific talents — such as playing an instrument, singing, hosting a small crafts session, or guiding gentle, seated exercises.
Outdoor & Garden Buddies
Accompanying residents on walks around the yard or sitting outside on the patio to enjoy the fresh air, care for plants, and birdwatch.
Intergenerational & Family Visits
Supervised opportunities for local youth, community groups, or volunteers with gentle pets (pet therapy) to bring dynamic joy into the home.
Onboarding & Requirements (The "Must-Haves")
To protect the health, privacy, and safety of vulnerable residents, all volunteers must go through a formal vetting process before entering a home.
| Step | Component | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Application & Interview | Screen for genuine interest, reliable character, and align their skills/hobbies with resident preferences. |
| 2 | Background Check | Complete criminal background checks to ensure absolute safety for our residential community. |
| 3 | Health Screening | Mandate up-to-date TB testing, annual flu shots, and any required health verifications. |
| 4 | Orientation & Training | Deliver a comprehensive overview covering resident privacy (HIPAA compliance), understanding memory care/dementia communication, and proper emergency reporting protocols. |
The Onboarding Workflow
To streamline the process from a person saying "I want to help" to them actively enriching a resident's day, follow this step-by-step pipeline:
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Initial Intake & Matching
Review the volunteer application. Conduct a brief personal interview to find out what they love doing (e.g., gardening, playing guitar, knitting) and match them to a specific Goshen house or resident profile.
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Vetting & Background Clearances
Submit the criminal background check and verify health requirements (TB test and vaccinations). Do not move forward until clearances are officially returned.
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Formal Orientation & Policy Briefing
Train the volunteer on home guidelines. Emphasize that they provide non-medical care only. Walk them through resident privacy rules, proper boundaries, and what to do if they notice a change in a resident's vitals or comfort.
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Shadowed First Visit
Have a staff member (CNA, CMA, or Site Lead) present for the volunteer's first hour in the home. This introduces them naturally to the residents, helps them find supplies, and sets up a comfortable environment.
Setting Clear Scope & Boundaries
To keep both staff and volunteers safe, it's essential to define exactly what volunteers can and cannot do inside a Goshen home.
Critical Policy Boundary
Volunteers are there strictly for emotional, social, and practical companionship. They must never assist with any activities of daily living (ADLs) such as transferring/lifting a resident, bathing, dressing, or administering/handling medications. If a resident asks for physical assistance or reports a medical issue, the volunteer must immediately notify the on-site caregiver or nurse on call.
Community Outreach & Recruitment
Finding the right people for a small-home program means tapping into local, warm-hearted community networks:
Local High Schools & Colleges
Connect with student organizations, nursing/pre-med clubs, or vocational programs looking for meaningful community service hours.
Faith-Based Groups & Local Churches
Tap into local community ministries and ladies' groups who often champion outreach programs for seniors.
Retired Professionals
Active seniors and retired teachers or nurses make phenomenal long-term volunteers because they bring exceptional patience and life experience.
Ready to Volunteer?
Fill out the short application and a member of our team will reach out to talk through the best fit for you.
Prefer to talk first? Call us at (913) 341-2724 or email goshenhomecareinc@gmail.com.