Volunteer

If you are interested in volunteering at Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless we'd love to hear from you! 

Please view the list of current volunteer opportunities for adults & youth. If you are interested in a specific position, please fill out the Volunteer Form & contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Paul Schroeder at pschroeder1@nycap.rr.com   

Adult Volunteer Opportunities:

Code Blue - Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless' Sheridan Hollow Drop-In Center will be opening its doors during nights when the temperature drops below 10 degrees. Between November 15 and March 15 Interfaith Partnership will need volunteers to greet those that are coming for help.  Volunteers will be asked to greet individuals and families, provide comfort by serving food and coffee, distributing blankets and being available to assist throughout the 5:00pm - 8:00am time frame.  Volunteers will work along with a staff member. Two shifts will be created for this.   Training will be provided.

Daytime Shelter Attendants

This position supervises the hour to hour needs of the guests of IPH. It provides support, conflict resolution, crisis intervention, and general security of the facility.

Principle duties, accountabilities and responsibilities

Makes hourly rounds throughout the facility

Serves Lunch Meal

Insures that the facility is clean

Accepts donations from the community

Determines appropriate service needs of the guests

Provides appropriate shift documentation

Makes sound judgment on the psychiatric and medical needs of guests

Follows IPH policies and procedures regarding guest guidelines

Performance standards

Overall environment of the emergency shelter during assigned shift is maintained in accordance with IPH policies and procedures

All necessary paperwork is completed correctly

Coordinates and delegates guest activities appropriately

Makes sound judgments regarding the needs of the guests

Makes a commitment to educational growth

Qualifications Required

HS diploma or equivalent

Basic understanding of therapeutic relationships

Basic computer experience

Good interpersonal skills

Good writing skills

Qualifications Desired:

Experience in direct client care in a Human Services agency

CPR & First aid certification.

IN-Kind Drive – Liquid laundry detergent and toiletry items are the items most used daily at the Emergency Shelter and Drop-In Center.  Groups are invited and encouraged to hold a collection drive in conjunction with an event. 

A Taste of Albany Fundraising Event - Committee Member

Event Date – Thursday May 12, 2011 

Volunteer Responsibilities – participate in committee meetings which begin in February and help solicit sponsors, auction items, work with Albany based restaurants to cultivate their involvement in the event, assist with setting up the event, follow up phone calls, sharing input on committee based decisions in regard to entertainment, layout of the event, decorating etc.

Youth Volunteer Opportunities:

Meals –   Groups are invited to provide and cook meals for our guests.  Groups can utilize our kitchen to prepare the meals or they can use their own kitchen then bring the meals to us. 

In addition to providing and serving the meals, groups are invited to create center pieces, placemats or themes to go with the meal.  Groups are invited to provide entertainment, enjoy the meal with the guests and play cards or board games afterwards.   If you prefer you can simply provide the meal and drop it at the shelter. 

Shelter attendants serve the meal and our clients are responsible for picking up after the meal. This is not expected or requested of our volunteers.

Scheduled meals include: 

• Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner for 30 people is served at the Emergency Shelter. 
• Monday – Friday a meal is served at 3:00 at the Drop-In Center for a number of guests ranging from 30 - 110. 
• Monday and Friday a community breakfast for 20-30 people in addition to our breakfast for shelter guests is offered at the Emergency Shelter.  

Cookbook – A Taste of Albany cookbook is available for sale and we are looking for ways in which to sell it.  Selling and promoting it during a community or parish event would help us.  The cookbooks are $20 and include numerous recipes from area restaurants and celebrities.  Proceeds benefit the programs and services at Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless’ Emergency Shelter and Drop-In Center.

Welcome baskets –   Obtaining donations and creating baskets for guests as they move from homelessness into housing helps us get an individual or family started.  Baskets filled with useful household items and cleaning supplies is ideal though if you choose to help around the holidays additional themes can be discussed.  The needs are continual throughout the year since clients are graduating from shelter to housing on an ongoing basis. 

Change drive -  youth collect change and roll it with clients at the shelter.  A dessert party or meal can be shared to conclude and celebrate the success of their collection.  

IN-Kind Drive – Laundry detergent and toiletry items are the items most used daily at the Emergency Shelter and Drop-In Center.  Groups are invited and encouraged to hold a collection drive in conjunction with an event.