Community Needs From: Gonzaga University

Every 3rd Saturday of the month, our Women's Hearth will have our volunteer service day. Our doors will be shut and this will be a great way to experience our Hearth space and help our staff get cleaning tasks done! Please note that you do not need to attend the full service day if you are unable. We appreciate as much or as little time as you are able to commit!

Sign up here!

Tasks include:

Cleaning and organizing the storage areasTightening chairsMaking hygiene and makeup kitsDeep cleaning the kitchen and bathroomOrganizing board games and art areas 

If you have any questions, please reach out to Ariel Fitzgerald at 509-455-4249 or afitzgerald@help4women.org. 

Every 3rd Saturday of the month, our Women's Hearth will have our volunteer service day. Our doors will be shut and this will be a great way to experience our Hearth space and help our staff get cleaning tasks done! Please note that you do not need to attend the full service day if you are unable. We appreciate as much or as little time as you are able to commit!

Sign up here!

Tasks include:

Cleaning and organizing the storage areasTightening chairsMaking hygiene and makeup kitsDeep cleaning the kitchen and bathroomOrganizing board games and art areas 

If you have any questions, please reach out to Ariel Fitzgerald at 509-455-4249 or afitzgerald@help4women.org. 

Women’s Hearth: The Women's Hearth is a safe, welcoming community that promotes growth and well-being in body, mind, and spirit for women of diverse backgrounds. The Hearth fosters nurturing relationships, encourages self-determination, and advocates for change in systems that oppress women. The Hearth provides free services that promote growth and healing including: over 70 groups and classes per month, access to resources and referrals for various social services, a technology center with free access to internet and computers, and access to basic needs such as showers, food, and hygiene products. Must identify as a woman to serve here.

Hours:

Monday: 9am-1:30pm

Tuesday: 9am-3:30pm

Wednesday: 11am-3:30pm

Thursday: 9am-3:30pm

Friday: 9am-3:30pm

Volunteer Roles: (Commitment of 30 volunteer hours is required; does not have to be completed in one term.)

Arts & Crafts Group Leader: This volunteer will lead a weekly group and offer instruction on simple art projects. No expertise needed, just enthusiasm for making art and working with people. All materials are provided onsite. Hygiene & Health Group Leader: This volunteer will lead a weekly or biweekly group on topics relating to health and hygiene. This may include: instructions on basic hygiene, hygiene-related diseases, sexual health, preventative care, and related wellness topics. This would be a great opportunity for a volunteer with a background or career interest in nursing, physical education, nutritional science, or social work. Sewing Circle Group Leader: This volunteer will lead a weekly sewing circle. We encourage the group leader to offer some instruction as needed, or try creative sewing projects, but the circle can also be an opportunity for curious beginners to try sewing for the first time.  All materials are provided onsite. Knit & Crochet Group Leader: This volunteer will lead our weekly knit and crochet group, which is typically held on Fridays, but can be changed to accommodate a group leader’s schedule. Historically, this group has been a mixture of beginners who need instruction on either knitting or crocheting, and experienced knitters and crocheters who simply enjoy the company. All materials are provided onsite. Cooking Class Group Leader: This volunteer will lead a weekly or biweekly cooking class. The curriculum and instructions for the class have already been created and will be easy for a new group leader to follow. A volunteer will simply need to bring recipe ideas and an enthusiasm for cooking. A food handlers permit is encouraged but not required, as staff onsite already have food handlers permits and will assist. All materials are provided onsite, and we encourage volunteers to utilize our food pantry and get creative with ingredients! Program Assistant Internship: In this new volunteer position, program assistants will provide support to staff and participants at the front desk of Women’s Hearth. Tasks will include checking in participants, answering phones, communicating with participants, and assisting as needed during daily operations or special events. Volunteers will always be partnered with a staff member on the floor, and the Volunteer & Activities Coordinator will provide training and supervision during this internship. This is a great resume-building opportunity for anyone discerning a career in social work to learn about shelter operations, connect with our unhoused neighbors, and gain valuable direct service experience. The minimum time commitment is 4 hours per week, though students completing the internship for credit will base their hours around course requirements. We are flexible with scheduling but do ask for consistency and follow-through from all interns. Winter Clean Up: The Women's Hearth, Transitions, is a drop-in center for women experiencing poverty and homelessness. Join us in keeping the Hearth warm and clean by helping us with deep cleaning. Women and men volunteers welcome!

 

Contact: Ariel Fitzgerald at afitzgerald@help4women.org

Transitional Living Center (TLC): Transitional housing with support services for homeless women and their children in 15 apartments and one permanent housing unit, access to playgrounds and gardens. Services include on-site case management, support groups, and community classes and events. TLC is dedicated to helping homeless women with children create stability in their lives.

Volunteer Roles: (Commitment of 20 volunteer hours is required; does not have to be completed in one term)

Food Bank Day: Accompany the driver to the food bank, help load the food and then unload and store it at TLC. Food bank delivery happens every other Wednesday from 9:30-10:30 am. Helpful to have a food handler's license or be willing to obtain one; able to lift up to 25 pounds. Event Volunteering: We host one to three community events a month at TLC. Past events have consisted of BBQs, movie nights, arts and crafts, holiday celebrations. Having volunteers help us set up for those events and participate in them, meeting our community, could be rewarding for staff and volunteers. These events typically run in the evenings so the commitment would be a 2- hour time frame, usually between 3 to 7 pm. Lead a Class: Teach a skill or hobby such as sewing, knitting, how to raise your credit score or suggest a topic of your own! Clean Up Day: Volunteers can stop by any time between 10:00 AM and 4:00 pm and stay for any amount of time they choose. Tasks will include general landscaping, moving large shelves/small furniture, organizing our storage space, and basic cleaning. Some of these tasks will require using stairs, maneuvering corners, and lifting up to 50 pounds. Childcare: Provide childcare during Participant Advisory Committee (PAC) meetings, a participant voice and empowerment program. PAC members are Transitions participants and alums who use their voices and experiences to advise on issues affecting participants in Transitions’ programs, as well as identifying gaps in services and opportunities for improvement. PAC meetings are the last Wednesday of the month, with childcare needed from 12:15 - 2:15. Apartment Turn-Around: Help clean and ready vacated apartments so they are quickly available for new families who are waiting to move into TLC. Times vary depending on vacancies but let us know if you'd like to be added to a contact list when the need arises. Yard Work: Help maintain a warm and welcome home through cleaning, landscaping assistance, and moving large furniture.

Contact: Maria Meeds at mmeeds@help4women.org

Miryam’s House: Transitional housing program where women experiencing homelessness are encouraged down the path to recovery and stability through case management and life-skills education. Life at Miryam’s House includes wrap-around supportive services, one-on-one case management, life-skills education, and continuing support for residents through an Alumnae Program.

Volunteer Opportunities: (Commitment of 20 volunteer hours is required; does not have to be completed in one term)

Volunteer Opportunities:

Answer phones, file and provide front office assistance. Assist with dinner preparation and support at community dinners. (Monday-Friday) Teach a skill or hobby such as sewing, knitting, how to raise your credit score or suggest a topic of your own! Help clean and prepare rooms for incoming residents. Sort through and rotate donations; set up donation closet. Assist with household chores as needed including cleaning and organizing.   Pick up/put away weekly food bank donations; rotate food.Assist with yard and garden clean-up and maintenance.

Contact: Maria Meeds at mmeeds@help4women.org

The Home Yard Cottages are a Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) project, completed in fall 2018, providing supportive services to help residents maintain stability and meet goals. Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) is the term that Housing and Urban Development (HUD) uses to describe housing provided to persons who have a disability, are low-income, and have been homeless. The Home Yard Cottages include 24 homes, fifteen of which are net-zero energy and fitted with solar panels. Volunteer activities take place in the community room or outdoors.

Volunteer Roles:

Activities Facilitator: Conduct a group activity such as crafts, yoga, music, games or any life-enriching activity for children and/or adults.Participate in one-on-one resident activities such as games, computer, crafts, or personal budgeting.Assist with yard and garden clean-up and maintenance.

Contact: Maria Meeds @ mmeeds@help4women.org

General Summary:

Admin volunteers can fill a variety of needs, depending on skills and interest. These volunteers are vital to the consistent delivery of services at Transitions.

 Principle Duties and Responsibilities:

Answer Phones—transfer to programs and/or assist those calling in for help (training provided) Answer the door Basic cleaning every other week Sorting, cleaning, distributing in-kind donations Writing thank you notes General filing, scanning, organizing Data entry

Contact: Maria Meeds at mmeeds@help4women.org