Woman´s Lunch Place

Kitchen Volunteer

Volunteers help in our kitchen, preparing and serving meals to our guests. WLP serves a continental breakfast and a homemade lunch each day. We make all of our meals from scratch and use only the freshest ingredients.

Kitchen volunteers are needed between the hours of 7a.m. -2:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday. We ask kitchen volunteers to provide their services for at least two hours each week. Volunteers may work fixed or flexible schedules.

Kitchen volunteers can expect to:

• Prepare and serve meal
• Unpack and sort deliveries
• Keep buffet areas stocked and tidy
• Clean surfaces and dishes
• Interact with guests

Qualified candidates must possess:

• Patience
• Ability to multitask and take initiative
• Sense of humor
• Willingness to take directions from WLP staff

Requirements:

• WLP volunteer orientation

A typical day in the kitchen

Here is the everyday schedule.

• 7:00- 8:00 a.m. Breakfast preparation begins (inc. Coffee and tea service)
• 8:00 a.m. Continental Breakfast service (concludes at 11:00 a.m.)
• 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Lunch preparation
• 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. Lunch service
• 12:20 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Closing Cleanup

Resource Center Volunteer

Volunteers are needed to support the Resource Center Monday through Saturday. The RC is open from 9am through 1:30pm, and volunteering may entail an extra few minutes before opening and after closing. RC Volunteers report to the Volunteer Coordinator. RC Volunteers are expected to help keep the RC flowing smoothly and assist guests in accessing community resources. RC Volunteers help maintain a calm and pleasant atmosphere by interacting with guests and building relationships. This position requires an ability to respond to and prioritize multiple requests for assistance, manage computers and office supplies, and comfort in working closely with guests.

RC Volunteers can expect to:

• Get to know guests
• Offer emotional support
• Assist guests with computers: including tutoring and technical assistance
• Monitor and facilitate computer and phone access to ensure equitable and reasonable usage
• Help guests with copier, fax, and mail, and distribute office supplies
• Help guests locate information on shelters, housing, food banks and meals, employment and educational programming
• Assist guests with employment related issues including: resume writing, finding job postings, and career strategizing
• Accurately keep track of the number of women who use the RC and its services
• Respond to minor technology issues
• Close down the RC at the end of the day, including daily notes and tidying/disinfecting RC
• Work on other projects, depending on area of interest. Possibilities include: updating resource listings and bulletin boards, offering workshops for guests (i.e. computer skills, ESL)

Qualified candidates must possess:

• Patience
• Ability to set limits in a firm and respectful manner
• Sense of humor
• Willingness to take collaborate with support and advocacy staff
• Ability to deliver services in a non-judgmental manner
• Ability to attend to varied and multiple needs of guests, many of whom are substance users and/or have mental health challenges
• Committed interest in developing relationships with guests
• Willingness to learn and comply with WLP policies and procedures

We are seeking volunteers who are conversant in Spanish, Haitian Creole, and other languages.

Requirement:

• Willingness to commit to at least two shifts per month, though preferably one per week, on a regular schedule for at least three months

Training:

• Attend Volunteer Orientation.
• Two to four training shifts in the RC
• Participation in WLP In-Service Trainings (optional)
• Reading the Resource Center Guide

Scheduling: Scheduling will be coordinated through the Volunteer Coordinator and Advocate. Please let both the Volunteer Coordinator and Advocate know about upcoming and unanticipated absences.

Support Assistant

We are transitioning from having two staff members on the floor working Support each day, to one staff member. Volunteers are needed Monday to Saturday between the hours of 8am and 1pm to help WLP staff manage daily activities in the shelter. Support Assistants work under the direction of WLP staff. Support Assistants are expected to respond to guests' needs and requests, and to assist with other housekeeping tasks, as designated by the WLP Support manual. Support Assistants also help to maintain a calm and pleasant atmosphere in the shelter by interacting with guests throughout the day. This position requires an ability to multitask and to think fast on one's feet.

Support Assistants may be asked to help with the following:
(Please note: tasks may vary depending on the day)

• Provide guests with access to laundry and shower services, maintain sign-up lists
• Take and fill requests for toiletries and clothing (as directed by WLP support person)
• Let guests into nap room; maintain sign-up sheet, change linens as needed
• Assist staff during crisis situations (training will be provided)
• Check in with guests in all areas of the shelter
• Help serve lunch (if needed)
• Greet donors dropping off donations and ensure that they fill out an in-kind donations slip
• Help support staff find specific items requested by guests
• Ensure that we keep a reserve of seasonally-appropriate emergency clothing on hand in a variety of sizes. This involves sorting through donations and organizing clothing into bins or bags according to size.
• Organize toiletry shelves to ensure that items are neat and accessible
• General cleaning (sweeping, emptying trash as needed, etc.)

Qualified candidates must possess:

• Patience
• Ability to set limits in a firm and respectful manner
• Demonstrated ability to respond calmly and proactively to crisis situations
• Sense of humor
• Willingness to take directives from WLP staff
• Ability to deliver services in a non-judgmental manner
• Ability to attend to varied and multiple needs of guests, many of whom are substance users and/or mentally ill
• Committed interest in developing relationships with guests
• Willingness to learn and comply with WLP policies and procedures

Requirements:

• Willingness to commit to at least 2 shifts a month (7:30-2:30 to 8-12 and 9-1) for 3 months or longer
• CPR, First Aid

Training Protocol:

• 4 training support shifts
• Reading and comprehension of WLP Support Manual

Resource Center Volunteer assists a guest with internet access.