Please note the following changes to our volunteer shifts and tasks!
VOLUNTEER SHIFTS AND DUTIES
6:30pm - 9:30pm: Evening reception (includes set up/intake) (2 shifts available per evening)
Duties/Tasks:
- Arrive at 6:30 at the shelter, 1157 Sutherland Ave (back entrance, we're upstairs!) - Please don't be later than 6:30pm, guests cannot come upstairs until reception volunteers are here for the Intake staff member. (Intake for guests is at 7pm - 8pm)
- You will be working with our Intake Staff person, and one other evening reception volunteer.
- Please introduce yourself to the staff person and put on your nametag; check in with the staff person, who will give you direction for that evening
- Verify location of flashlights and whistles for safety purposes.
- You will be greeting guests as they arrive; helping with intake; monitoring the main area, bath rooms, and outside smoking areas and reporting to staff
- Play a game or share time with guests
- Help with organizing the room for special activities; help serve hot drink and meal
- Set out the folded bedding on the mattresses: one bottom sheet, one top sheet, one pillow and pillow and pillow case, two blankets.
- Help settle guests in their sleeping areas
To book yourself in for a volunteer shift, please go to this link: see our Calendar here!
9pm - 6am: Overnight stay (1 shift available per night) (must be 18 or over, can sleep)
Duties/Tasks:
- Arrive at 9:00PM at the shelter, 1157 Sutherland Ave (back entrance, we're upstairs!)
- Please introduce yourself to the staff person
- Guests will have already arrived between 7pm - 8pm. (our intake stops at 8pm)
- Interact with guests, staff and volunteers present, ask what needs to be done; put on your name tag
- Verify location of flashlights and whistles for safety purposes.
- Lights will be dimmed at 10pm. Lights will be out and all quiet by 10:15PM.
- As the overnight volunteer you may go to sleep after guests have settled in their beds. The night staff is on duty throughout the evening and night to respond to any emergency. If the staff needs the overnight volunteer, they will wake you.
- Lights in the corridor will be dimmed and washroom lights are left on. Make sure downstairs door is locked.
- Fire alarm drills will be conducted at times for the safety of everyone.
To book yourself in for a volunteer shift, please go to this link: see our Calendar here!
6am - 8:30am: Morning shifts (2 shifts available per morning) (if you have to leave a little earlier than 8:30am to get to work, that is ok. Please let staff know!)
Duties/Tasks:
- Arrive at 6AM at shelter, 1157 Sutherland Ave (back entrance, we're upstairs!)
- Please introduce yourself to the morning staff person and put on your name tag.
- Verify location of flashlights and whistles for safety purposes.
- Help staff and volunteer to awaken guests by 6:15AM to give them time to wash, pack up their gear, put linens in bins, fold blankets and to organize themselves before breakfast and their 7AM departure.
- Mattresses are stored along the walls of the hall. Unless physically unable to help, guests should assist with the storage of mattresses, disposal of laundry and other general clean-up.
- Help staff and volunteer with breakfast set up and clean up.
- Some guests may have been awakened early (usually around 5:00AM) to go to work. Volunteers or other guest pitch in to take care of their linens.
- Make sure guests leave the area outside promptly.
- Help to clean main sleeping hall, kitchen, bathroom, hallway and stairs (sweep daily, wash when needed).
- store away food, dishes, laundry containers, and supplies.
To book yourself in for a volunteer shift, please go to this link: see our Calendar here!
6pm - 8pm: Food drop off (1 shift available per night) Signing up for a "food shift" means that you're preparing and bringing the meal for the guests that night. You may drop the food off at anytime between six and eight. If you wish to serve food please arrive by 7:30. Food is served between 8pm and 9pm.
Duties/Tasks:
- Prepare food at home, then drop it off between 6pm - 8pm at the shelter, 1157 Sutherland Ave (back entrance, we're upstairs!). Our staff person will be at the shelter at 6pm to receive food and put it in the refrigerator (or oven if it needs to be kept warm).
- Please introduce yourself to the staff person at the door and put on your name tag.
- Verify location of flashlights and whistles for safety purposes.
- The cost of the evening meal is a donation of the person(s) who prepares it. An in-kind receipt will be issued upon request.
- Evening meals do not need to be extravagant or expensive! Food that has been well received in the past: healthy soups, baked potatoes, easy stews, chili, sandwiches, vegetables (fresh or cooked), fruit, simple pasta or rice dishes. Extra items could include a box of mandarin oranges or a veggie plate. (Please note, these are only suggestions - let your own budget be your guide).
- After the evening meal, the serving area is cleared. If you can stay to help, please help remove all food and all service items to the kitchen. Guests are not allowed into the kitchen area.
- For health reasons, plates and cutlery must be sanitized in the dishwasher or in bleach and hot water.
To book yourself in for a volunteer shift, please go to this link: see our Calendar here!
For more information, or to volunteer, contact: