Did you know? National Volunteer Week 2025 is April 20 – 26.

This week and every week, we recognize the tremendous role volunteers play in our work and mission.

At Broad Street Love, Radical Hospitality isn’t just something we talk about—it’s something we practice together, every day. And at the heart of that practice are the incredible individuals and groups who volunteer their time, energy, and spirit to create a place of welcome and care for all.

Whether it’s serving a warm, restaurant-quality meal, offering a smile and kind conversation, or helping someone find their mail or mend their clothes—volunteers help bring Radical Hospitality to life.

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A Community Powered by Volunteers

Every day, 25–40 volunteers join our staff in the work of building community. 

Volunteers don’t just support our mission—they embody it. With every shift, they help create a space rooted in dignity and compassion.

For Espand (Es), volunteering at Broad Street Love was more than a chance to help others—it became a turning point in their own journey.

“When I first started volunteering at BSL, I was in a bad place mentally. I didn’t have a lot of examples of good, kind people in my life, and I really had no model for how to work toward wellness. I’m an introvert, so it’s pretty easy to get isolated. But since I started volunteering here, I have friends and colleagues who share my values and who have been here as I navigated treatment.”

Volunteering offered Es more than structure—it offered belonging.

“This place, the guests and staff, are very real. There’s no BS, no pressure to conform. Radical Hospitality means being kind regardless of anything. Kindness can spark a change, help people feel they’ve got some worth. I’m not religious, but I’ve found community and belonging here.”

And getting involved? As Es puts it:

“It was easy to volunteer. You just sign up on the website, and BSL provides the training you need. There’s no long application process. Just sign up and show up.”

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The Power of Showing Up—Together

While many of our volunteers come as individuals, we’re also deeply grateful for the many corporate groups, school teams, community, and faith organizations who join us through group volunteering.

Volunteering as a group is more than just a day of service. It’s a chance to:

• Build stronger teams through shared, meaningful work
  
• Connect with guests and foster empathy through real conversations
  
• Live out your values with visible, hands-on community impact
  

When your team volunteers together, you’re not just strengthening your own bonds—you’re offering stabilizing support and genuine connection to neighbors facing homelessness, poverty, and isolation.

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Why It Matters

The work of Radical Hospitality doesn’t come from one person or one place. It takes all of us: guests, staff, donors, and volunteers, coming together to share what we can.

“At BSL, Radical Hospitality is more than just our programs—it’s a shared practice of love and care. It comes from all of us, working together with open hands and open hearts to create a space where everyone is seen, heard, and valued,” says Laure Biron, BSL’s CEO.

When you volunteer at Broad Street Love, you’re not just lending a hand. You’re helping deliver life-changing services and forming real relationships that remind our guests they are never alone.

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Want to Get Involved?

You’re invited! We provide everything you need to get started—on-site training, a welcoming team, and space to reflect on the impact you’ve made. Whether you come once, come weekly, or come with your coworkers, there’s a place for you here.

As a volunteer, you can sign up to:

• Serve a meal in our dining room
• Facilitate mail delivery
• Help prepare a meal in our kitchen
• Support guests calling in with questions about their mail
• Prepare donated clothing to go on the racks in our boutique
• Fulfill orders for personal care items and deliver them to guests in our sanctuary
• Be a personal shopper for guests in our clothing boutique

Ready to experience Radical Hospitality in action?