Volun Volunteers make a tremendous difference at Pisgah Legal Services. Your contributions of time and talent help us serve more people.
Want to Get Involved?
If you’d like to explore volunteer opportunities at Pisgah Legal Services, please complete our Community Volunteer Application or contact Pisgah Legal.
If you have questions about volunteering, contact: Jen Collier Wilson, Volunteer Coordinator, by email or call 828-435-2031.
Current Volunteer Roles
Health & Economic Opportunity Program (HEOP) – throughout WNC: This program reduces poverty and increases access to affordable health insurance for low-income families. HEOP offers free tax filing assistance to help families capture all available credits and refunds, and health insurance enrollment assistance through the Healthcare.gov marketplace. We do this work year-round in all 18 counties of WNC. Free opportunities to become certified as a volunteer tax preparer and/or an ACA Enrollment Navigator. The training is self-paced, fully online, and PLS staff and experienced volunteers provide support and other trainings to prepare you for working with clients. Contact Ali Conroy.
Emeritus Attorneys Giving Legal Expertise (EAGLE) Program – throughout WNC: Retired attorneys can secure a pro bono license from the NC Bar to do pro bono work at Pisgah Legal Services. The pro bono license application process is simple. The pro bono license authorizes retired attorneys to advise and represent Pisgah Legal Services’ clients. Pisgah Legal provides training, mentoring, administrative support, and supervision to retired attorneys on our pro bono team. Upcoming pro bono opportunities include participation in Pisgah Legal’s Landlord/Tenant Fellow Project to receive intensive training to assist low-income tenants and a Will and Fraud Prevention Clinic for low-income homeowners that includes training and support for attorneys. Contact Katie Russell Miller for more information. (Pro Bono opportunities also available for attorneys with an active NC law license.)
Front Desk/Reception Volunteer – Spruce Pine and Burnsville offices: Volunteers needed for regular shifts at the front desk in our Spruce Pine and Burnsville offices. Tasks include attending to clients, visitors, and walk-in applicants, answering phones, and supporting staff receptionists with administrative tasks. Commitment of several hours per week for at least 6 months preferred to account for training period for attending clients. Contact Jen Collier Wilson.
Pisgah Neighbors – throughout WNC: “Pisgah Neighbors” support our clients in a wide variety of ways. This is a great way to get involved for people who like an “on call” sort of arrangement for their volunteerism and are seeking ways to connect with others in the community. As needs arise, we share them with our Pisgah Neighbors, and anyone who is able to help can offer to fulfill the need. Sometimes the needs are identified well in advance. Other times, the needs may be last minute in nature. But in all situations, there is always freedom for our Pisgah Neighbors to say, “I’m not able to help this time.”
This volunteer opportunity requires a person who enjoys being around people and enjoys “hands on” work. Orientation meetings with our social work team will occur before any client/task assignments are made so as to set expectations and answer questions you may have as a new Pisgah Neighbor.
Help Pisgah Neighbors provide might include:
- Rides for clients without reliable transportation to court dates, medical appointments, or other tasks related to their cases.
- Apartment/house clean-up to prep for a move.
- Packing in preparation for a move and/or helping pack or unpack a truck.
- Making calls to local apartment complexes to determine potential vacancies.
- Minor “home repair tasks” (for Pisgah Neighbors who possess such skills).
- Visiting with an elderly client who could use some company.
The Pisgah Neighbors team meets via Zoom on a weekly basis (Thursdays at 4:00 pm). During these meetings we discuss upcoming needs, hear updates from staff and fellow Pisgah Neighbors about the clients they’ve been working with, and share ideas about how to address any needs that might be identified during client interactions. Contact Jen Collier Wilson.
Updated November 22, 2023.
