Community UCC is volunteering at the Wake County White Flag Shelter for women which will be located at First Baptist Church Raleigh, for the 2025-26 season. The season runs November 1 to March 30. There are 3 one-hour shifts each White Flag day; you may volunteer as often as you like. The church is at 99 N. Salisbury Street, across from the old Capitol building.
We are also supporting this effort through our offerings with a $500 joint donation from Community Outreach and Do Justice ministries’ budgets.
What is the White Flag program?
The White Flag program provides temporary emergency shelter to people experiencing homelessness during severe weather. In the winter, White Flag declarations take place on nights the temperature or windchill is forecast to be below 35 degrees F. First Baptist Church Raleigh served as a shelter for unhoused women last winter and will do so again this cold weather season.
White Flag staff members handle intake and coordination with the women. Volunteers help to set up beds and supplies, prepare coffee and hot water for tea and cocoa, and help with morning breakdown.
Declarations for White Flag nights are made twice a week, as far in advance as possible to enable volunteer scheduling.
Volunteer Opportunities
Afternoon set-up (2:30-3:30pm): Assist White Flag staff in setting out cots/mats and linens in the Fellowship Hall; prepare coffee in the percolator and plug into timer.
Evening hospitality (4:30-5:30pm): Clean coffee carafes from the previous night (if necessary), set out coffee and hot water in carafes, as well as creamer, sugar, cocoa packet, etc.; unplug and clean percolator (or prepare more coffee if a particularly cold night).
Morning breakdown (7:00-8:00pm): Help White Flag staff to store cots/mats, assist with spot stain/spill clean-up before cleaning crew arrives; store percolator and rinse carafes.
- Two volunteers are scheduled for each volunteer task. You can volunteer one time, a few times or any time White Flag nights are declared!
- Once any White Flag declarations have been made for the upcoming period, volunteers will receive an email from FBC with a link to a SignUp Genius form.
- FBC and possibly the Wake County White Flag coordinator will hold an orientation for new volunteers.
How do I indicate my interest in being added to the volunteer list?
If you would like to be on the volunteer list, fill out this form.
For more information about CUCC’s involvement, contact Mike Soboeiro (contact info in Breeze or via office.cucc@gmail.com). For information about volunteering, contact Holly Cook (coordinator at FBC) at hcookraleigh@gmail.com.