Community Service - Ways to Volunteers
For Public Housing Residents
You might be providing Community Service
already! Do you help out at a school, camp or hospital, at the Public
Housing site where you reside, or at a place of worship, such as a church?
The hours you help out could count toward your Community Service. (Note:
If you help out at a place of worship, activities pertaining directly to
religious worship, such as singing in the choir or serving as a deacon,
are not considered Community Service. Activities which serve the entire
community, such as helping with charitable events, in a nursery program,
or with the administration or maintenance of the building are considered
Community Service.)
PLEASE NOTE: Community Service must be done under the auspices of an
organization. Cleaning-up one’s neighborhood or a local park or helping a
neighbor with chores or errands does not count as Community Service unless
performed for a specific organization which can verify your service.
 Here are some ways to find places to volunteer:
The Montgomery County Volunteer and Community Service Center lists
activities and special events where you can earn community service hours.
They also list many different types of volunteer positions and list
opportunities for families with children to volunteer. Call the Volunteer
Center at (240) 777-2600 to schedule an appointment or visit the website at
www.1-800-volunteer.org.
Visit your neighborhood schools, places of worship, community centers,
family resource center, and nursing homes to ask how you can volunteer.
Your Resident Counselor and Occupancy Specialist at the Housing
Opportunities Commission have an up-to-date list of community events
requiring volunteers and places to contact about volunteer positions. The Housing Opportunities Commission uses volunteers. Call the
Volunteer Coordinator at (301) 929-5667 to discuss opportunities and to
schedule a meeting. Are there other ways to fulfill this requirement?
Yes. Participation in the activities below can count towards your monthly
hours:
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Participation in a Resident Association or Home Owners Association
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Participation in a class, such as English language or computer training
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Participation in an Employment Support Group
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Attendance at an educational workshop or lecture
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Attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings
Can I help out at a store or business?
Community Service hours can not be met by helping out in a store, factory,
private medical or dental offices, law firms, or any other business.
However, if you are volunteering for a private business or office in order
to learn new job skills, this is considered Job Training and your hours
can be counted towards the Community Service Requirement. You will need to
provide a letter from your supervisor describing your activities.
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