Volunteers are a great asset to Faith, Hope & Charity! The purpose of our volunteer program is to provide the children we serve with opportunities for special friendships and social learning situations, to promote community awareness of the FHC program through involvement with our residents and FHC services, and to provide all individuals opportunities for participation in a variety of volunteer services and activities.

There are different reasons why people volunteer. To simplify all the areas of service available at FHC, we have categorized the volunteers as follows:

1. GENERAL VOLUNTEER:
A general volunteer searches out volunteerism on their own, or chooses to do so for the satisfaction of sharing their time and talents with our residents. Training will include an interview with the Recreation Coordinator, a tour of the facility, arranging a schedule, and an introduction to a specific resident and a home staff if appropriate. Background checks for child abuse and dependent adult abuse are mandatory before a volunteer is involved with a resident.

2. TRANSPORTATION VOLUNTEER:
The transportation volunteer will receive the same training as a general volunteer, but will need additional training in order to assist 1:1 or a FHC employee on an outing involving a child who requires a two-person lift. This training will include, as a minimum, the following: 1) receive in-house training in proper lifting techniques for the resident to be assisted; and 2) receive a personal profile of the person being assisted, covering all areas which may be necessary for a safe outing. The Recreation Coordinator will schedule the volunteer interview and will coordinate the in-house training with the Residential Coordinator in the home where the resident lives. After completion of this training, the transportation volunteer will be able to accompany FHC staff or a FHC 1:1 (25 hour) volunteer on outings for the resident for which the transportation volunteer has been trained only. The transportation volunteer will only assist in lifting, and will not be permitted to provide personal care for the resident. Background checks for child abuse and dependent adult abuse are mandatory before a transportation volunteer is involved with a resident.

3. ONE-TO-ONE VOLUNTEER (1:1)
A 1:1 volunteer must be interested in developing a special one-to-one friendship with a particular resident, such as a "big brother or sister" type relationship. Because this type of volunteer is an important model to the child and has a deeper personal relationship, we request a more detailed orientation prior to becoming a 1:1 volunteer. This orientation shall be conducted by the Recreation Coordinator. Training includes 25 contact hours with the same resident, and an interview with home staff or advocate on a general profile of the resident. Background checks for child abuse and dependent adult abuse are mandatory before a volunteer is allowed to become 1:1 with the resident. The 1:1 volunteer will not be able to take residents on unsupervised overnight visits, unless they are on the parent guardian approved list. Prior to taking a resident on an outing, the 1:1 volunteer must complete the 1:1 volunteer checklist including providing a copy of their chauffeur’s license and certification from their insurance carrier of their liability coverage. Permission from the resident’s parents/guardian must be granted as well.

3. STUDENT PROJECT:
A student may be required to spend a specified amount of time with our residents to enhance their awareness and education of children with developmental disabilities as part of their class criteria. Students are expected to go through the orientation process and meet with the Recreation Coordinator to discuss the type of involvement and duration of their volunteerism. Background checks will be completed prior to being involved with a resident.

5. SPECIAL PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES:
People from the community who would like to get involved in helping with housekeeping, maintenance, pet therapy, or a special project would meet with the Recreation Coordinator to discuss their intentions and proceed with the necessary steps.

Special Note: Visitors/Volunteers do not replace staff on duty. Visitors/Volunteers do not administer medications. Visitors/Volunteers do not administer physical therapy. All volunteers shall be 18 years of age or older. Persons under 18 years of age may serve only as a General Volunteer and only if accompanied by a parent who will also agree to meet the General Volunteer guidelines. All volunteers shall complete a training checklist, initialed and dated by the Recreation coordinator, prior to beginning their volunteer service.

 

Faith, Hope & Charity has helped Teegin become the girl she is today. Thanks for all the hard work you have done for her and for us.

~ Rodney, father of Teegin