VOLUNTEER: IRWS Homeless Shelter Coordinator Internship

Internship description and responsibilities:

BEFORE Shelter Opening (10/27/12 - 12/01/12)

·         Attend intern training on a weekly basis (usually Sunday afternoons at 4 p.m.) during October and November            2012

·         Assist with training of new community/student volunteers, including possible participation in creating video                modules and training of high school interns 

DURING Shelter Season (12/02/12 to 3/10/13)

·         Greet homeless guests at host site (including sign-ups for chores, pre-registration for following night)

·         Coordinate and distribute sleeping bags/cots and help set up sleeping area

·         Interact/socialize with homeless guests during meals

·         Supervise and provide leadership for student/community volunteers assigned for evening shifts at a host site                during the open shelter season

·         Provide orientation and on-site training for dinner crews., overnight and other volunteers as needed

·         Attend intern meetings during Winter Quarter (4-5 p.m. on Sunday afternoons)

·         Shadow Intake and Overnight volunteers, and serve as an Overnight volunteer on three other nights during the            season; interns are also encouraged to volunteer for other roles such as Intake as their schedules permit                       (optional)

·         Provide feedback to the IRWS Board on guest and volunteer experiences at the host sites; invited to attend                Board meetings

 

Qualifications:

·         Reliability and commitment for both the Fall 2012 and Winter 2012 quarters.

·         Currently enrolled full- or part-time student at UC Davis or recent UC Davis alumni

·         Passion for community service and commitment to a service-related career goal (pre-health, social work,      
        social policy law, counseling, non-profit work, etc.)

·         Excellent verbal communication skills

·         Open-mindedness, maturity and the sensitivity to work with homeless guests, including some with mental     
        illnesses and substance abuse issues

·         Ability to work alongside volunteers from various member churches and other spiritual groups

·         Desire and passion to help the economically disadvantaged

·         Leadership, supervisory and/or managerial experience is desirable but not required

Commitment:

·         Interns must be available throughout both the Fall 2012 and Winter 2013  quarters (minimum 4 hours/week),            including some Sunday afternoon meetings

·         The Fall Quarter schedule will be variable until the shelter opens, but from 12/02/12 to 3/10/13 (i.e. late Fall            2021 through Winter 2013), interns must be available from 5:30-8:30 p.m. for one or more evenings each week        (Sunday-Saturday) when the shelter is active

PLEASE NOTE:  Internship service will be optional during Finals and Winter Break

 

Benefits:

·         Development of strong leadership skills 

·         Community service experience working with our local homeless population

·         Opportunity to attend IRWS board meetings and contribute to program planning and volunteer training

·         Potential letter of recommendation

·         Transcript notation available (optional)

MORE INFO:  If you have any questions, please contact Linda M. Scott at lmscott@ucdavis.edu