FAQs

Someone can receive housing services by referral that come from the Memphis and Shelby County Coordinated Entry System(CES). completing an assessment with a CES assessor listed here, and by contacting us.

Volunteers work in all aspects of our Programs and Supportive Services that we provide for our program participants. Many of our volunteers join program participants in setting up and eating lunch, while other volunteers lead post-lunch classes in creative writing, prayer or go on special outings. Volunteers also accompany people to medical appointments, make hospital visits, or work beside program participants in the garden. Some volunteers choose to build a relationship with one specific program participant and, with the help of our trained staff, help that person reintegrate into the community. Our staff is available to help you find your place among us.

The time commitment depends on the volunteer. Some volunteers join us for an hour a week at lunch, others prefer short one-time projects, while still others spend significant time in building a one-on-one relationship with a specific guest.

Door of Hope volunteers act as they would with a guest in their house: welcoming and non-judgmental. Our Coordinator of Volunteers provides a training session for new volunteers where questions can be answered, and accompanies the volunteer on the first visit to Door of Hope.

Door of Hope grew out of a 2003 ad-hoc movement among several Midtown churches whose members became concerned about the growing numbers of homeless people in their Midtown neighborhood. Following hundreds of hours of research, discussions and planning, a core group of Memphians—including members of area churches and non-profits—took steps to incorporate and launch Door of Hope.

Door of Hope’s mission is to end homelessness for Memphis’ most vulnerable population by providing housing and supportive services one Door at a time.