I went to the Shepherds of Good Hope down in the Market today, for my volunteer orientation session. It was interesting. They explained the programs they run, the volunteer positions available, and the health and safety rules. There were forms to fill out, including a criminal background check, and I had to give them copies of my passport and driver’s license.
I didn’t know this, but they operate four different shelters in the same building, including a managed alcohol shelter (alcohol in measured quanitities is prescribed and dispensed at set intervals. It’s a harm reduction program for alcholics who are at extremely high medical risk.) And they operate several other buildings which provide supportive living programs.
They run a volunteer-intensive operation down there. They have over a hundred paid staff (full and part-time) and over 400 volunteers.
They’re looking for all kinds of people with all kinds of interests. For example, right now they need volunteer gardeners. They have a big organic garden and they need people to work in it. They have a shortage of people who can teach music and people who can run crafting workshops. They need translators and cleaners and cooks and pastoral counselors.
I’m going to be a server either in their evening drop-in program or at the women’s shelter. I have to commit to a regular four-hour shift each week for six months. (That part was a bit daunting, actually.)
Some of the rules: you can’t socialize with the clients outside of the shelter, you shouldn’t give them anything (cigarettes, money, etc.), you can’t wear sandals or short shorts or plunging necklines or t-shirts advertising liquor, and you mustn’t intervene in any kind of situation involving physical or verbal altercations. Your responsibility as a volunteer is to remove yourself from such a situation and get behind a closed door so that staff can intervene without having to worry about your safety (they already have to worry about their own safety and the client’s).
As a matter of fact, even the staff are not permitted to physically intervene in an altercation, because Shepherd’s is a “no-touch” shelter. If a situation requires physical intervention, each staff member is wearing an emergency pendant – they press it, and it summons Emergency Services: police, fire and ambulances are immediately dispatched to the shelter. (I’m only going on about this only because I found it interesting; apparently physical altercations inside the shelter are infrequent.)
After I left the shelter I dropped into La Petit Mort art gallery, just around the corner. While I was there, the owner was chatting with another guy and the subject of Crazzy Dave came up. Remember Crazzy Dave, the poetry busker who lives behind Chapters? Things are looking good for him these days. He just published a book – it was hot off the press today. At $40 I don’t think I’ll be buying a copy, but I did get to peruse the Petit Mort’s copy and read Crazzy Dave’s inscription – it was beautiful. Something about a golden soul. Next Thursday June 19th from 7 p.m. till 10 is Crazzy Dave’s book launch.
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A few years ago I volunteered at a small shelter in Lewiston, Maine. One Sunday a month I would prepare a dinner for the guests and staff. I threw myself into it; I usually cooked a meal from scratch, made a dessert and brought flowers for the table. Toll house cookies were the hands down favorite. I loved it there and I have good memories of my time there.
Shepherd’s is a very good organization. I had some peripheral dealings with staff there through another volunteer job I had. The staff I met were always nice, though stressed at times, but the organization had a great reputation. I hope you enjoy your time there.
I like the dress code. Nobody should wear t-shirts advertising liquor, especially in combination with a plunging neckline. Good for you for making the commitment. I used to volunteer with Covenant House back when I was a single, childless gal living in Toronto. This sort of work adds a whole new dimension to your life and, it is hoped, adds a little something to the lives of the people you’re working for as well.
Wow, those are a lot of rules. The drop-in centre I volunteer at must be much smaller because I didn’t get any orientation. Plus, I’ve noticed that a lot of the volunteers are also sort of clients. Anyways, good for you.
Zoom-Zoom, Well done! Did I mention to you that I started a volunteer initiative through my work at Shepherds? 2 staff went once a week for 4 hours every week. We were able to maintain this schedule for two years. Sadly, our organization has become too big and busy to allow us to volunteer anymore. I learned so much from the retired ladies and gentlemen who also volunteer there. And, I fit right in because those elders sure love to flirt! And the clients are, for the most part, very lovely people… You will enjoy it… Once I am settled, I hope to volunteer there again during my own time…
Wow, lots of you have volunteered at shelters. Cool.
Woodsy, that’s pretty impressive that you were able to organize such an initiative through work, and do the volunteering on work time. Interesting too that your organization gave it up because it got too big. I suspect mine would object on the grounds that we’re too small.
Sad, but true…