Interfaith Sanctuary Housing Services

Volunteer Orientation Manual

Last Updated March 2013

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Welcome!
Thank you for saying yes to becoming an Interfaith Sanctuary Volunteer! We hope you will find your volunteer experience at Sanctuary to be rewarding. We find that people volunteer for different reasons. As with all volunteer opportunities, we understand that volunteering is as much about receiving as giving. In providing this necessary service for those who find themselves homeless and for our community, it is our hope that you will receive a deeper understanding, appreciation, and meaning of love and faith in action, and the need for justice to be made real. We ask you to read through this handbook. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact Jayne Sorrels, Executive Director at jayne@interfaithsanctuary.org or our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteers@interfaithsanctuary.org. Thank you for sharing your time, talent, and energy with those who are un-housed and working with us to provide this service to individuals and families.

OUR MISSION
Interfaith Sanctuary Housing Services is a collaboration of people of faith and people of conscience who have joined together to shelter and serve individuals experiencing homelessness. Sanctuary provides overnight shelter for men, women, and children and provides supportive services that promote greater self-sufficiency, improved well-being, and permanent housing acquisition.

OUR HISTORY
In November of 2005, a group of faith leaders became aware of the impending crisis afflicting many persons experiencing homelessness in Boise, who had no shelter at night in the worsening weather. This group of leaders collaborated with the social service community, and within a matter of days a basic emergency shelter model was designed and implemented. As the organization developed, the faith leaders formed an advisory committee and partnered with social service agencies to coordinate operations, and community and resident volunteers managed the facility. Initially, the shelter was hosted by various houses of worship, and then moved to a warehouse in the downtown area. As planned, Interfaith Sanctuary served solely as an emergency winter shelter in 2005 and 2006. From there the Interfaith Sanctuary organizers determined that at a minimum, emergency shelter would continue to be made available during the winter months, and meanwhile worked to make Interfaith Sanctuary a year-round option for persons experiencing homelessness in Boise. During the Spring and Summer of 2007, Interfaith Sanctuary hired additional staff and worked on board development. In September 2007, Interfaith Sanctuary bought a building, made possible through a combination of loans from Idaho Housing & Finance Association and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Boise. With increased organizational capacity, long-term planning, and a permanent facility established, Interfaith Sanctuary opened for permanent services on November 1, 2007.

OUR PROGRAMS & SERVICES

Shelter services are available from 6:00 pm - 7:00 am daily, except for Sundays and major holidays, when the shelter closes at 8 am. The emergency shelter is supplemented by light dinners provided daily through a partnership with Lifes Kitchen.

The Community Volunteer Program is an essential component of the shelter program. Community volunteers work alongside shelter guests and staff members to provide support for shelter operations. Over 200 volunteer positions are available each month. Interfaith Sanctuary also offers a Supportive Services Program to current and former shelter guests and to those at risk of becoming homeless. Services include access to basic needs, case management, assistance in obtaining legal identification, and other programs including: Ready to Work focuses on employment preparedness through a job training partnership with Usful Glassworks, employment education workshops, temporary employment assistance, and transportation assistance; Family Strengthening Program provides families who stay at the shelter with case management, parenting classes, and planned and facilitated childrens activities; Homeward Bound Program - an intensive program to secure and maintain permanent housing by engaging a concentration of resources, which includes: case management, affordable housing knowledge, tenant behavior education, mentoring, resource meetings, and maximizing a network of available financial assistance; and Disability Advocacy provides support to shelter guests to obtain SSD/SSI for disabling conditions. In addition, in partnership with Corpus Christi Day Shelter, education programs are provided to assist adult guests to obtain their G.E.D. and enroll in college. Tutoring is provided for school-aged and adult students. Targeted Population: The target population is men, women, and families experiencing homelessness. Included in this group other underserved populations are represented: victims of domestic abuse, persons with mental and/or physical illness, veterans, racial/ethnic minorities, and those facing under/unemployment. Interfaith Sanctuary serves segments of the homeless population that are not typically served by other shelters in the Boise area. These segments include people with substance abuse or mental health disorders, and families with unconventional make-ups.

OUR VALUES
Dignity and Respect: Interfaith Sanctuary Housing Services, Inc. (ISHS) recognizes and respects the inherent dignity, and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of society. Compassion: ISHS seeks to understand each person in his/her environment, meet individuals where they are, and assist them in realizing their inherent potential toward health and happiness. Diversity: ISHS believes in the high value of diversity. Diversity is desired in our organization; its presence leads to greater knowledge, understanding, and peaceful coexistence of all members of the human family. Community and Collaboration: We are social beings who depend on community for survival and well being, just as the community depends on its individual members. ISHS promotes this interdependency to better the community and its members. Integrity: ISHS is committed to a core set of values. These values are reflected in the direction, programs, and daily decisions at ISHS. 3

Vision and Leadership: ISHS can see a better life, for even the most downtrodden of our society. Through committed leadership, ISHS works to make this vision a reality. Holistic Partnerships: Through carefully nurtured relationships developed in the community, ISHS and its partners are able to assist people in bettering all aspects of their lives. Human Investment and Personal Goal Attainment: ISHS seeks to assist people in self-growth and self-determination through access to knowledge, support, and essential services. Interfaith Cooperation: ISHS is made up of people of faith and people of good will, creating a balanced and harmonious cooperative from which to provide a unique response to homelessness. In this harmony, each faith and belief system is equally valued.

AS AN INTERFAITH SANCTUARY COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER, YOU ARE EXPECTED TO:

Complete the online volunteer registration form and subscribe to the Sanctuary Volunteer e-newsletter. (www.interfaithsanctuary.org click on the volunteer page for links). Note: Information on using our online scheduling system with Volunteer Spot will be emailed to you after your registration form is reviewed. Participate in scheduled volunteer trainings. These are announced through the e-newsletter. Respect the people we serverespect their personal lifestyle, their freedom to choose, and their responsibility for the choices they make. Respect other Interfaith Sanctuary staff, volunteers and shelter support team members. Remember that volunteers come from a variety of faith and lifestyle backgrounds. Please do not impose your views upon them. Interfaith Sanctuary is about finding the common ground of shared values. Work as a team member and hold as a focus the needs of our guests. Demonstrate mature and responsible behavior and language. Report for service at your designated time, with ample notice if unable to work. Understand personal limitations and refer difficult situations to Interfaith Sanctuary staff in accordance with procedures. Agree to a background check if you are a regular volunteer. This is a requirement of our insurance carrier. A sampling of regularly scheduled community volunteers will be conducted throughout the year. Agree to maintain confidentiality and respect our guests privacy. Agree to abide by the direction of the Interfaith Sanctuary staff person on duty during your volunteer shift.

Note: Community volunteers will not be allowed to volunteer for a shift if they arrive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Note on Community Volunteer Background Checks: Having a criminal record will not necessarily preclude you from volunteering. If you have any concerns, please address these with the Director.

WHAT VOLUNTEERS RECEIVE FROM INTERFAITH SANCTUARY IN RETURN

We hope you receive: The opportunity to work in a highly recognized and well-respected organization. Training and experience that may benefit you in other areas of your life. Increased understanding of people who are experiencing homelessness and the issues they face as well as some of the larger societal issues that can lead to homelessness. The opportunity to meet new people who share common values and interests. An opportunity to put your faith or values into action. An opportunity to make a meaningful contribution and be part of a worthwhile community project. A good feeling and enjoyment from helping others.

Dos and Donts for Volunteers Do:

arrive on time; notify the Volunteer Coordinator (volunteers@interfaithsanctuary.org), well in advance, if there is any problem in meeting your shift commitment and delete your name for that shift online in Volunteer Spot socialize with guests during your shift remain friendly and attentive with the guests; be the best listener you can be inform the shift manager at any sign of mounting tension respect the diversity of beliefs and faith practices of guests and volunteers maintain a high degree of professionalism and good boundaries maintain confidentiality concerning the people we serve wear modest and practical attire when volunteering leave personal objects in your car or trunk, and bring into the shelter only what you need during the shift.

Do Not:
give out your last name, phone numbers or other personal identification to the guests invite guests to come home with you do not lend money to the guests ask guests any probing or personal questions share information on your faith or belief practices with guests or other volunteers unless asked proselytize or attempt to convert guests to your specific religion

ISHS prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, family status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, veteran status, disability or age.

Directions to Interfaith Sanctuary

From Connector River St. Exit. Go straight through light at 16th (aka Americana Blvd) to light at 15th. Turn left. Go just past skatepark and take a left on Front St. (this is before the light on Grove). Front St. looks like an alley that runs alongside the skatepark. Take a left on Americana (16th) and immediately get in your right lane. Turn right on Cooper Court. This looks like an alley and is before Corpus Christi House and the light (where you started). Cooper Court takes you directly to Interfaith Sanctuary its a dead end that runs into the connector exit. Bear to your right and head down the alley to the River Street (connector exit ramp) side of the building. When you are facing the building, the entrance door is at the far left side.