Shelter House
Our mission is to provide shelter, basic and transitional resources, while encouraging self-sufficiency, to any person in our community who is homeless.
Description:
Shelter House is the only general use homeless shelter in Johnson County.
Our services include emergency and transitional shelter, a drop-in center, in-house counseling program, a security deposit program, outreach and the STAR Program (Supportive Training and Access to Resources).
History:
Shelter House has provided temporary housing and supportive services to the homeless of Southeast Iowa since 1983.
If you are interested in volunteering at Shelter House. Log onto our website at www.shelterhouseiowa.org and click on "Get Involved" to download our application. You also can come to our location and pick up an application if preferred. See below for detailed information on what our volunteers do.
Want to be a volunteer for Shelter House?
Here is what you need to know…
Thank you for your interest in becoming a volunteer for Shelter House. This letter is to inform you of all of the opportunities we have for our volunteers, our volunteer procedures, as well as what the Shelter House will ask of you before you commit to a volunteer position. Below there are frequently asked questions to assist you in gaining information about our volunteer program.
What will I do?
Volunteer opportunities at Shelter House come in a wide range of tasks. You can serve a meal, rake our leaves, answer our phone, sort through donations, paint an office, tutor a child and more! Each of our volunteer positions are highly valued by our agency. We appreciate your time and what you are doing for our agency and the homeless we serve here in Johnson County.
How do I start?
Your first step is to fill out our volunteer application. You can download it online or you can pick one up at Shelter House. Make sure to fill everything out and when you turn it in to us, also include a photo copy of your government issued photo identification card. Once we have received the application and copy of your i.d., our Volunteer Coordinator will call to schedule an orientation and interview. We do require completion of a background check, professional references, orientation, an interview and training.
What is the background check?
If you have ever been convicted of a crime you are asked to explain that on your application. We cannot take anyone who is a registered sex offender or anyone who has been convicted of any violent or other undesirable crime.
What are professional references?
On our application we ask for two professional references. A reference is someone who can comment on your work ethic, reliability, character and other traits that will help the volunteer coordinator determine if we think you would be a good fit with our agency as a volunteer. A professional reference is someone who is not a family member or friend. An example of a professional reference is a supervisor, boss, professor, teacher or volunteer coordinator. You should know this person for at least one year and have had experience in either working or volunteering with them.
What is a volunteer orientation?
Our volunteer orientation is designed to inform you of the services Shelter House has for the homeless in Johnson County. It also reviews volunteer policies and procedures, confidentiality, volunteer opportunities, our expectations from volunteers, and an overview of our volunteer program as a whole.
What is the interview?
This is when you will sit down with the Volunteer Coordinator face to face for an interview. It is a time to get to know each other and see what you would be interested in doing for us as a volunteer. This is also a time for the Volunteer Coordinator to see if we will be a good fit for you as a volunteer agency, as well as you being a good fit for us.
What is training?
Volunteer training will consist of reviewing the program as a whole in depth. It will also go over your specific job description and duties when you volunteer here as well as set your weekly schedule. Depending on the position, training length will also vary.
What is the commitment?
Shelter House asks a minimum of a 6 month commitment to our agency. You will have a two hour shift one day per week for 6 months. Once your commitment is complete you can renew your commitment if agreed by yourself and the Volunteer Coordinator.
Can I volunteer with my family, church or social group?
Yes! There are group projects that are available several times throughout the year. You can provide an evening meal, arrange a service day to clean or paint, or assist in a fundraising activity such as our annual Phone-a-Thon, Sleep Out or Gala. Call or email the Volunteer Coordinator for more information on one time volunteer opportunities.
Can I volunteer if I am under 18?
Yes! If you are 17 or younger you can still volunteer. We do require that you are accompanied by a parent or guardian who will be volunteering with you. You can do a onetime opportunity or you can arrange a 6 month commitment.
What if I need community service hours? Or I need hours for a class?
We can have volunteers who are required to complete hours for community service or for a school requirement. They are required to go through the same process as our volunteers and have the same expectations as our volunteers who are not required to give their time.
What do I do next?
Fill out our application, submit it to the Volunteer Coordinator, and you will be contacted as soon as possible. Again, make sure to complete all of the application and submit a copy of your photo i.d. or your application will not be processed. If you have any questions not found here or on our website, contact the Volunteer Coordinator.
Thank you!
Contact person: Megan DeMeulenaere, Client Services & Volunteer Coordinator, (phone), (email)
Office fax number: (319) 351-2137
Address:
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P.O. Box 3146
Iowa City, IA 52244 |
Web Site: http://www.shelterhouseiowa.org
Directions:
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We are located one block north of Mercy Hospital on the corner of Gilbert and Davenport Street. |
| Last updated on November 16, 2009 |
