Our Specialized Volunteer positions give you a chance to share your professional skills with our clients. These volunteer positions require different time commitments ranging from weekly to once every 3 months. For more information on scheduling needs, see the volunteer descriptions below and work with the volunteer coordinator to create a schedule that works for you.
Hair Stylist Volunteer- Helping our clients maintain good hygiene is a priority, which includes getting regular haircuts. We are looking for professional barbers/hair stylists who are willing to donate time and the use of their basic equipment to give hair cuts to our Clients. Scheduling based on availability of volunteer.
Health and Wellness Volunteer- Teach clients techniques related to mind-body health, including practices to lower their stress level in order to cope with various personal crises or everyday stressors. Lead one hour stress relief, fitness, and/or mind-body sessions for clients. Consult with individuals who seek your advice about ways to improve their physical and mental health through fitness, stress reduction, and improved diet. We hope to offer rotating classes once per week, though scheduling will be based on availability of volunteers.
Health Professionals Volunteer- The Shelter House facility will be equipped with a basic medical outreach office, where we hope to have trained professionals administer basic health care to clients during 1 – 3 shifts per week. Duties would include the following:
- Help fill out medical paperwork.
- Direct to appropriate medical resources and referral.
- Provide in-house health care such as cleaning cuts, applying topical medicines, or blood pressure checks.
- Assist with setting appointments or external medical care as needed.
- Provide basic health care information.
- Dispense medications as needed and appropriate.
Job Club Facilitator Volunteer- Clients in the Shelter House Case Management program are required to seek and find employment during their stay at Shelter House. One aspect of this job search is a requirement to attend skills workshops and job club, an ongoing session to teach and practice hands-on skills for finding employment. The club topic will vary day to day, but may include guest speakers, mock interviews, discussion about barriers to employment, assistance completing job applications, etc. Duties of the Job Club Facilitator may include:
- Facilitate active participation and productive discussion amongst clients attending job club.
- Assist clients with completing job applications.
- Teach, model, and lead practice interview sessions.
- Work with clients to create professional, accurate, and complete resumes.
- Report client progress and participation to designated program staff.
Skills Workshops Volunteer- Clients at Shelter House are required to participate in a variety of Skills Workshops, aimed at teaching new skills to find employment, increase income, secure permanent housing, or improve interpersonal relationships. These workshops are currently under development, but we are seeking volunteers with professional skills who are able to facilitate discussion and participation in these important sessions. Scheduling varies depending on the workshop, ranging from one session a week to one a month.
Spiritual Consultants- Clients come from all different religious and spiritual backgrounds and occasionally wish to speak with someone regarding spiritual issues or to get connected to a faith community. We hope to schedule rotating Spiritual Consultant volunteers for weekly 3 hours shifts, with each volunteer serving at least one shift per month, up to six months. Duties include the following:
- Speak with clients who seek your services during scheduled shifts.
- Maintain confidentiality.
- If asked for help finding a spiritual community, give clients accurate information about a variety of spiritual communities in the area, helping them to find something that will fit their needs.
- Be open to clients of all backgrounds, seeking to serve the needs the client has presented to you.