POSITION: Family Housing Center Walk-In Volunteer
Position Summary: The Family Housing Center Walk-ins is a short-term supportive services program for individuals and families who stop by the Family Housing Center. Volunteers will meet with walk-ins to address any immediate needs and refer to appropriate resources. Position also includes an assessment for eligibility for the Family Housing Center and provision of tangible items (e.g. toiletry kits) and, when available, short-term emergency hotel vouchers for qualifying families.
Volunteer Expectations and Commitments:
· Provide safe and welcoming space for walk-ins to share about their current situation and needs
· Assess for eligibility for Family Housing Center, diversion or other on-site services
· Provide short-term supportive services, such as referrals to community resources or assistance with understanding and navigating resources
· Schedule diversion intake with MIC staff or Family Housing Center intake with YWCA staff, depending on walk-in’s individual situation
· Fill out walk-in form with each walk-in and submit
· Complete notes in walk-in log after each walk-in
· Participate in ongoing trainings with MIC and YWCA
· Coordinate weekly schedule with MIC walk-ins coordinator
Qualifications and Experience:
· No degree required
· Must be 18 years of age
· Must pass a background check according to MIC and YWCA policy
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
· Basic personal skills: Practicing respect, offering dignity, creating safety in sharing and an ability to listen and provide empathy
· Ability to respect privacy and maintain confidential information
· Ability to identify potential crisis and follow referral protocol for professional staff to intervene
· Knowledge of basic Housing Problem Solving/Diversion strategies
· Ability to be assertive, practice healthy boundaries and apply conflict management techniques effectively
· Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with other staff, volunteers, and representatives from related agencies in the community
· Willingness to learn about resources and other opportunities in the community
Position Relationships:
· Directly accountable to MIC
· Also accountable to YWCA Housing Program Director
· Work closely with other YWCA and MIC volunteers and staff
· Engage in daily contact with other employees, adult clients, and child clients
· Engage in occasional contact with personnel from other agencies
Level of Independence and Expectations:
Within the parameters of MIC/YWCA policies and procedures, volunteers exercise a moderate level of independence in decision-making. Significant errors in judgment may endanger the health and safety of the clients and/or staff/volunteers and may cause serious financial and/or legal repercussions for the MIC/YWCA. If volunteers are unable to meet the expectations of the MIC/YWCA, the volunteer time of service may be terminated.
Special Note: Walk-ins at the Family Housing Center is open to the general public and while all walk-ins can be supported with referrals and provision of resources or information, not all walk-ins qualify for YWCA and MIC services at the Family Housing Center. Volunteers will be trained to understand and assess eligibility criteria.
