Opportunities From: VolunteerWNY

All potential guest calls come to the intake line where they are intervewed to determine admission criteria has been met.

Position: Phone Intake/ Admission Intake Volunteer, Lockport CARES, Inc. Homeless Shelter

 

Qualifications:

Dedication to providing support to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The ability to work in a crisis intervention setting and communicate with other volunteers. Able to be on call by phone for assigned periods.  Phone Intake Volunteer may be needed to do Admission Intake at shelter on occasion.

 

Accountability: Reports to Lockport CARES, Inc. Supervisor/ Volunteer Coordinator

 

Phone Intake Volunteer:

Provides coverage by phone and accepts calls to assess client and families for appropriateness for shelter intake. Answer calls from general public requesting information.  Handle all callers in a polite and respectful manner. Will interview callers according to procedure and complete phone intake paperwork completely.

 

Admission Intake Volunteer:

Will conduct guest admission intake paperwork completely and admit guests to the shelter that has been assessed by phone intake volunteer. Follow all appropriate procedures upon arrival of guest to be admitted, including orientating guests to the shelter physical plant and amenities, educating guests on the Shelter Guidelines and other rules/procedures, clearly presenting fire safety plan, and accompanying guest to their assigned room (provide toilet articles). Refer guests to community resources as needed. Report all suspected incidences of child abuse/neglect to Lockport CARES, Inc. Supervisor immediately. Report any illegal or unsafe activities to Lockport CARES, Inc. Supervisor immediately. Documents in Daily Log new guest name and any pertinent information needed to be shared for a smooth transition into the shelter for the guest and incoming staff.

 

Both:

Respect guest confidentiality. Be sensitive to cultural diversity and respectful of all guests regardless of their beliefs or practices. Participate actively in meetings with Lockport CARES, Inc. Supervisor/ Volunteer Coordinator, and seek assistance from them or answers to any questions as needed. Attend and participate in appropriate training and volunteer meetings.  Attend extra training regarding mental health, addictions etc. for Intake Volunteer qualifications.

 

 

Office Work:  there are plenty of things that you could do to help keep us organized,

            from filing paperwork to mailing our letters.  If you love organizing and have office

            skills, then there is certainly a place for you here, even if you have limited time to

            spare.  Let us know what your skills are and we'll help you use them to benefit the

             homeless in Western New York.

 

Cleaning:  we pride ourselves on having a clean and sage environment for ourselves

            guests.  We are always in need of people who can help with the everyday general

            everyday cleaning as well as special cleaning projects such as organizing closets,

            washing windows, etc.

 

Grounds & Maintenance:  being an older house, there is never a shortage of

            projects at the shelter.  If you have light carpentry skills, landscaping skills

            or just love tinkering around the house, then there is a job for you!  We welcome

            you to come help make our house a home to the homeless.

 

Staffing the shelter:  there is no better way to rally understand the plight of the

            homeless and make a difference in their lives than by volunteering to staff the shelter. 

            We have a variety of different shifts available to meet your schedule.  Even if you can

            only donate a few hours per week, you will find the experience to be rewarding and  

            insightful.  You will be paired up with an experience volunteering     who will help you

             learn the ropes.

The Shelter is staffed almost execlusively with volunteers.

Volunteers are needed for all shifts. Two volunteers are required for each shift. Trained volunteers and staff provide training using a progressive "shadowing" program with new volunteers. Shadowing is when a new volunteer is scheduled with two trained staff to help them learn about the Shelter.

Shelter volunteer shifts are:

7a -9am

4p-7p

7p-11p

Weekends also 1-4 pm

 

Meal Ministry:  we provide breakfast, lunch dinner and evening snack each

            and every day to our guests.  Breakfast and lunch are prepared by the volunteers

            who are working during each shift.  Dinners are coordinated by our Meal

            Ministry Coordinator and are brought in by volunteers each night.  We are

            always looking for volunteers to bring a dinner once a month to our guests.

            Available days for meals  can be seen on our website www.lockportcares.org.

            Just click on the picture of the tomato under News and Events!