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Dear The Road Home Dane County Volunteer,
Welcome! We are so glad that you have chosen to join us in our work, helping families with children that are experiencing homelessness find safety, comfort and the opportunity for a better life.
The Road Home Dane County is a non-profit organization serving homeless families with children since 1999. We are committed to the empowerment and long-term success of children and families; to serving each family with dignity and respect; and to achieving results in helping families improve their lives. The Road Home seeks to address the root causes of homelessness and is a leader in the effort to include homeless community members in the search for new solutions. The Road Home partners with 55 local congregations and over 2000 volunteers each year to provide shelter, meals and support for families.
In this packet you will find six sections:1. The Road Home Family Shelter Program: General Information2. Becoming a Volunteer: Tasks and responsibilities for shelter volunteers3. Policies/Procedures for Volunteers
a. Confidentiallyb. Confrontational Situationsc. Volunteering with Childrend. Helpful hints for sensitive volunteering
4. Expectations and rules for families in our family shelter program5. Frequently asked questions from volunteers6. Information/articles about family homelessness, economics, race and trauma
Please read the information in each section and check your answers to the review questions at the end of this packet. There is no “score” – we just want to ensure that if you have any questions regarding a review question or any topic that is discussed in our volunteer training packet, we can assist you! We estimate that reading and completing the review questions will take about 90 minutes of your time. Once you have read this packet and feel comfortable with your answers to the review questions, please mail or e-mail your volunteer application to:
The Road Home Dane CountyC/O: Volunteer Manager128 E Olin Ave, Suite 202Madison, WI 53713
Email to [email protected]
Once your application is received, we will contact with you promptly and help get you scheduled to volunteer!
We thank you in advance for the time you are spending in preparation for becoming a much needed and valued volunteer within our shelter program and for your support of the vision of The Road Home Dane County:Every child deserves a home.
Sincerely,Kristin RucinskiExecutive Director
Alane ConnVolunteer Manager
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The Road Home Family Shelter Program
The Road Home Family Shelter (formerly known as The Interfaith Hospitality Network) provides emergency shelter to families with children who are experiencing homelessness. We work directly with a network of Madison area churches and synagogues to provide shelter and volunteer support. Volunteers from these congregations provide overnight shelter, three meals a day and evening activities for the families. Daytime shelter and case management services are provided at The Road Home office and day center. Families staying in the shelter must work with a case manager to seek housing, employment and other community services and attend educational workshops. Transportation between locations is provided by The Road Home.
The Road Home Dane County partners with the Dane County Housing Crisis hotline, The Salvation Army of Dane County, the YWCA- Madison and United Way of Dane County to actively support families that are experiencing homelessness and are in need of shelter and case management services. Families who enter our shelter are screened and selected with the assistance of these agencies.
The Dane County Housing Crisis Hotline (1.855.510.2323) email [email protected] is the first step that families who are seeking emergency shelter and housing options must make. Any family that calls The Road Home seeking shelter must call this phone number and get placed on a waiting list. Unfortunately, there is always an active waiting list for families seeking emergency shelter and housing opportunities. We work to ensure that families who are on the waiting lists are offer case management services to help increase their chances of getting into housing quicker.
How does our Family Shelter Run
Our family shelter is a 14-bed shelter which means that we are able to provide shelter for up to 14 individuals. Typically, we have between 3 to 5 families in our shelter at all times. We allow families to define themselves meaning that a family can consist of mom, dad and children, single parent family, grandparent and grandchildren, aunts, uncles, etc. In order to utilize our shelter, you must have a child under the age of 18 years old in your custody/care.
Prior to entering our shelter, families meet with our shelter case manager to discuss and review how our shelter program runs and to ensure that our shelter would be the best fit for them. Families provide information about their family make-up, any special food needs and/or allergies along with any additional information that would be needed to relay to our volunteers. Families are able to stay in our shelter up to 90 days while working closely with their case manager to achieve their goals.
The volunteer manager provides a weekly census which includes information about each family in our shelter to the congregation coordinators one week prior to their scheduled host week. Our participating congregations are broken up into two categories:
Host congregation: A shelter host congregation is where the families will stay in their facility for one week at a time from Sunday PM to the following Sunday AM. The host congregation will host the families for 4 weeks out of the year and weeks are spread throughout the calendar year. Families are present at the host congregation from 5pm at night until 7am the next morning /Sat. morning at 9am.
Buddy congregation/business: Buddy congregations and buddy businesses assist the host congregations by providing volunteers, food and other supplies for the families during their host weeks.
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Becoming a Volunteer with The Road Home Dane County
The Road Home offers volunteer opportunities for individuals, families and groups in four general areas:
1. Direct service- volunteering within our family shelter, working directly with families.2. Office/Donations- assisting in daily office tasks, organizing wish list supply drives, etc.3. Events- becoming a committee member to help volunteer and plan events throughout the year.4. Governance- becoming a Board Member or on a committee that helps to make important decisions about
the operations of The Road Home Dane County.
This take-home training packet is designed for volunteers who will be working with families in our shelter program. For additional information about other volunteer opportunities please contact the volunteer manager at 294-7998 x 306 or email at [email protected].
Volunteer Positions Within our Shelter Program
Shelter Volunteer Opportunities – Direct Service
If you currently do not attend a participating congregation, we can connect you with one.Note: Times listed below vary from congregation to congregation. Be sure to check with your congregation.
Coordinator: Help organize and oversee the program during the rotation week, which occurs four times each year. Duties include: recruiting volunteers, making sure there are adequate supplies such as sack lunch items and personal items, being present during the week to make sure everything is set up and going smoothly. Duties are often broken down into smaller responsibilities, such as meal planner, dinner, evening activity and overnight host recruiter. Many of the coordinator duties can be done behind the scenes and often times are shared with others.
Meal Host: 5:00 pm ‐ 6:30 pm Set tables, serve meals, eat dinner with The Road Home guests, and clean-up.
Recreation Time: 6:30 pm ‐ 8:00 pm (Times may vary slightly depending on host congregation.)Spend quality time playing with children or helping them with homework. Ages of the children vary. Congregations have activities available such as games, books, and art supplies. You are welcome to bring in arts and crafts activities but it is not a requirement.
Overnight Host: 8:00 pm ‐ 6:00 am (Times may vary slightly depending on host congregation.)Spend the night. Quiet time begins at 10:00 pm when volunteers and families go to bed. Volunteers have a private place to sleep. You are required to bring your own bedding or sleeping bags. Wake up time is 6:00 am.Still time to get to work!
Breakfast: 6:00 am ‐ 7:15 am Overnight hosts often stay and set-up the breakfast meal, but if they cannot, then 2 volunteers are needed to set out easy breakfast food such as cold cereal, toast, and juice. Kitchen clean-up follows. The Road Home van driver picks up families by 7:00 am.
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Shelter Volunteer Opportunities – Behind the Scenes
Meal Preparers: Just like preparing a meal for your family. Dinner is at 6:00pm, so the meal must be delivered by 5:30pm. You may be reimbursed for your expenses depending on the congregation. You may stay and act as dinner host if you would like to but it is not required.
Set up: On Sunday of your host week help to set up the guests’ bedrooms. Remove classroom furniture and bring in The Road Home beds and families’ belongings. This is done after Sunday school has ended.
Take Down : Help remove families’ beds and belongings and reset up the Sunday school classroom. This is done early Sunday morning before the first session of Sunday school.
Laundry: Families do their own personal laundry but volunteers are needed to wash sheets and towels, which are loaned out by the congregation to the The Road Home Families during their weeklong stay.
Grocery shoppers: Pick up needed items throughout the week. Will be financially reimbursed.
Floater: Willing to volunteer at any congregation and to be called on short notice. This would be a fill-in position if a congregation had a volunteer who had an emergency or if they could not find enough volunteers.
Other Volunteer Opportunities with The Road Home Dane County
Committee Member: Join one of The Road Home committees: Program, Development, Finance, Events and Nominating.
Mentors: Mentors are needed to work with families in our transitional housing programs. You work in conjunction with one of The Road Home social workers. Activities vary according to the needs of the families, but can include tutoring, helping families learn to budget, helping families work on clearing up their credit reports, helping a parent get their drivers license, as well as doing fun family activities together.This is a two‐year weekly commitment.
Tutoring: Tutoring adults or children in various subjects, most commonly reading, writing or math.
Office Assistance: helps with data entry. May be asked to help with other office needs such as stuffing envelopes,attaching labels, etc. Help plan and execute occasional events such as the Homes for Families Breakfast or smaller gatherings such as the Families Moving Forward celebration. Sort and organize items donated to The Road Home.
Car Repair: Donate car repair services to low-income families working with The Road Home.
Other ways to help The Road Home: Donations of personal care items, household items, furniture Bring friends to the Home for Families Tour (see our website for dates, times and more information on our tours) Donate special skill services- for example: tax preparation, pro bono professional work Donate housing Drive families to appointments or food pantries Employers‐ work with The Road Home to employ participating adults Landlords‐work with The Road Home to place families into housing
General information all volunteers need to know prior to volunteering4
Staff SupportThe Road Home has staff on-call to support you every evening from 5:00 pm – 7:00 am or wherever the families are present at the host congregation. You can reach the staff member on call at 608.225.1957.Please call promptly if you have any questions or concerns about the program or the guests.
The Volunteer Manager can be reached throughout the day at 608.225.1957 or via email at
[email protected] if you need to communicate any information.
CommunicationIt takes about 75-100 volunteers each week to host The Road Home families. In order for things to run smoothly and to provide consistency for all, communication is very important. Please use the following methods to ensure that information is shared correctly:
Please make sure that you have communicated with your coordinator as to what your role as volunteer is, where and when you are needed and any other details that will ensure a great experience.
The Road Home LogWhen you first arrive to do your volunteer shift, you should look for a white binder with The Road Home printed on it. It contains the following:
1. Emergency numbers including staff2. Personal and medical information on each family in case of an emergency3. Volunteer sign-in sheets - Each volunteer needs to sign in and out and fill out all information each
time. Volunteer demographics are collected every year for United Way.4. Log- Our way of exchanging information. Your notes can be to coordinators, volunteers, or to The Road
Home staff. 5. The Road Home Health and safety policies.
You should write the following items in the log:1. Each shift may like to write a summary in the log of how their shift went. Volunteers can also send
emails with information about their shift to volunteer coordinators.2. Each shift needs to inform the next shift on who is in the program and if anyone is not yet there due to
work or other unknown reasons.
The congregation cell phoneThe Road Home has a cell phone that travels from congregation to congregation. Make sure someone in your shift has it with him or her and that you all know how to use it. This is The Road Home staff’s only way of reaching you and our guests and your way of communicating in an emergency. This cell phone number is 608.206.9583. Along with this cell phone, The Road Home provides a traveling First Aid kit which contains items such as a flashlight, cold medication, etc. needed in case of an emergency. It is important to familiarize yourself with the emergency exit plan for the host site you are volunteering at.
1. Make sure power is on at all times. To turn cell phone off or on push down and hold the button with the little red phone on it. There will be a display on the screen when the power is on.
2. Someone should be carrying the cell phone at all times and answer it when it rings.3. At night the cell phone should be charged in the host room and left on.4. To answer the phone: Push the picture of the little green phone on the left side below display
window. When the call is completed, push the picture of the little red phone on the right hand side. (Do not hold down or you will shut off phone.)
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5. To make a call make sure the power is on, dial the number and then push the same picture of little green phone.
6. To get messages off of the cell phone dial the cell phone number 608.206.9583. It will ask you for the code, which is 0427.
7. Families may not use the cell phone. If they say it is an emergency then call the staff member on-call who may give permission.
The staff member on-call You should call the on-call phone (608.225.1957)
If a family shows up late* If a family does not show up at all* If anyone needs to go to the hospital If there are any behavior problems amongst the adults If a guest shows up intoxicated If a guest spanks a child For anything else that may arise that may be of concern You should also call if you have any questions about rules, policies or any other concerns
* Your coordinator will have daily updates regarding the guests’ schedules so you should know who is scheduled to be late or absent.
Universal Health PrecautionsTo help avoid potential contagious diseases you should:1. Never change a child’s diapers, treat a bloody wound, clean up vomit of the guests or their children.
Always have the parent do this for their children.2. If it is unavoidable and you need to deal with any bodily fluids of the guests, always wear protective
gloves. There should be some in the congregations’ first aid kit.3. Use bleach and water solution to clean surfaces and the beds of guests that have left the program.4. Communicable Diseases: The Road Home is a group shelter for families. Although each family has a
separate sleeping room, many areas are shared with other guest families, volunteers and staff. Because this is a shelter program, guests with contagious illnesses cannot be asked to “stay home” as they would be in other settings. The Road Home staff works closely with our congregation coordinators to ensure that all families are safe and that any illness will be addressed and hopefully not spare between other guest families, volunteers and/or staff.
Special Requests from Guests Volunteers may be asked for special food purchases and/or special rides. Volunteers are not required to provide either but may choose to do so after consulting with The Road Home staff. Do not provide clothing, household items or other personal items for families without talking to the The Road Home Case Manager or Volunteer Manager first.
Always feel free to contact the The Road Home on-call staff person anytime you may have a question or seek assistance while volunteering! The on-call cell phone number is 608.225.1957.
We really do want to hear from you and are here to help!!!Policies and Procedures for Volunteers
This section of the training includes policies and procedures for volunteers in the following areas:1. Confidentiality
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2. Confrontational Situations3. Volunteering with Children
These practices are intended to protect the safety, health and well-being of all those involved with The Road Home. As a volunteer, you are responsible to know and follow these policies and procedures. Please keep them handy for reference.
Confidentiality Policy
Information about guests may not be shared with anyone beyond the The Road Home staff and volunteers, except with the expressed written consent of the guest on a The Road Home release of information form. Information that must be kept confidential includes:
The identity of any guest This includes names as well as other descriptions or facts that might disclose identity, such as the guest’s “story” or the age and school of a child in the program. You should never tell enough details so that if your listener later met a guest you had worked with, they could identify them as such. Guest identities cannot be shared with anyone other than the staff and volunteers directly involved with that guest.
Personal informationPersonal information that you learn through involvement with a guest family should only be shared with the shelter case manager or the volunteer managers who need this information to serve the family, but not with other staff or volunteers, even if those staff members or volunteers know the family’s identity. This information should be shared only with staff members who can be expected to provide primary assistance.
Dangerous information If you become aware of a potential danger to any guest, volunteer or staff member you must share this information immediately with a staff member or with the Executive Director. The Executive Director will take appropriate action and share information with others as necessary and appropriate. She may be reached at 294-7998 ext. 302.
If you witness child abuse you should call the staff and/or call Child Protective Services to make a report, but not share this information with anyone else.
If there is immediate danger, you should call 911 and are legally permitted to break confidentiality, and to identify the guest.
All staff and volunteers of The Road Home are required to abide by this confidentiality policy. It is perfectly acceptable for staff members or volunteers to share their own experiences and reactions with family, friends, and other community members, so long as this sharing will not break confidentiality. If you have a question regarding confidentiality, please call the Road Home office at 294-7998 for clarification.
Volunteer Guidelines for Confrontational Situations and Crisis Intervention
There are times when The Road Home guests may display negative behaviors towards volunteers or other guests. Please use the following guidelines to maximize safety for everyone involved.
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1. Always have two volunteers on duty when families are present. For your safety, you should not be volunteering alone. If you find yourself as the only volunteer, please call the on-call staff.
2. Avoid confrontation. If you have a concern/complaint about a guest’s behavior you can calmly remind them of the rules, but do not make personal or blaming/judging comments.
3. Diffuse confrontation. If a situation becomes at all confrontational, stay calm and get out of it. Apologize if necessary. Remember that it is not your job or your role to make people behave better, beyond having calmly stated the rules or expectations. Offer to call the staff.
4. Call the Staff. If there has been any confrontation at all, even if it was resolved quickly, you must call the staff person on-call immediately. We need to know about these incidents in order to respond to them individually and to track them for the safety of everyone involved with the program. This is a courtesy to the staff, guests and future volunteers, and is a requirement of your volunteer position.
5. If you feel AT ALL threatened: Call 911. Do not hesitate to do this. If necessary, you can pretend to be calling someone else:
“Hello Susie, I need some cash for a woman here…” The police will come, they will not mind, and they won’t press charges unless we want them to (unless there is domestic violence). Know your address and your location in the building, such as “the southwest lower entrance”.
Leave. Get yourself to a safe place if at all possible: pretend to be getting something the person wants, use your exits, and get to someplace where there are other adults, even other guests who are not part of the confrontation.
Call the Staff. In the case of threat, aggression or violence, the staff will respond in person immediately. If you have not called 911 and there has been threatening, aggressive or violent behavior, the staff will do so before responding.
Helpful Volunteer Interventions at Different Stages of CrisisVolunteers can provide support by showing empathy and non-judgment.
Ways to provide support:1. Active listening- rephrase or summarize what they are saying to you.2. Validate- point out why their anxiety is valid. Example) “things are really stressful for you right now, it’s
understandable that you would be feeling overwhelmed”.3. Asking what we can do to be helpful and maybe giving some options of how we can help. Example) ask
if they may need to have a few moments alone away from children and other families so that they can get some space.
4. Allowing for venting in a safe space with non-judgment.5. Remove audiences if at all possible. Example) see if they may want to talk with you in an office or more
private and quiet place. Offer to call the on-call staff person so that they can speak with them.
Volunteering with Children: Guidelines for Everyone’s Protection
We are not a day care facility. We are not and cannot be responsible for children. A parent may ask another parent in the program to baby-sit but must fill out a baby-sitting contract. Babysitting contracts can be found in
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the The Road Home congregation binder where you sign in. No children under 14 can be left alone. Children over 14 can be left alone as long as a parent has filled out and signed a babysitting contract. Volunteers may not baby-sit or assume primary responsibility for children in any other way.
Never be alone with a child in any room or outside. If a child has to go to the bathroom, but needs help, try to find the parent. If you cannot find the parent in time, try to take a second person with you and/or prop the bathroom door open. If you go to the park always take another adult with you.
Do not change clothes in front of a child and don’t let a child change clothes in front of you. Never change a child’s diaper. If you have to interrupt a parent meeting or wake up a parent, then do so.
Touching guidelinesDo not rub or pet a child and do not let them rub or pet you.
Do not allow flirting. Put a stop to it right away (politely of course.) Younger children may sit on your lap as long as there is no inappropriate touching between either of
you. You can suggest with older children that they sit next to you instead. Wrestling and tickling can sometimes get out of control and could be construed as inappropriate
touching. Be careful when playing tag or anything else that can turn into roughhousing, since roughhousing could
also be construed to be inappropriate touching.
Don’t promise to keep secrets. You have an obligation to report anything pertaining to a child’s safety to The Road Home staff. Let the child know that you will be careful with the information that they share but that there are some things that you cannot keep secret.
Some Hints for Sensitive Volunteering
Volunteering for The Road Home is most often a cross-cultural experience, crossing socio-economic and racial differences. Please consider the following when you volunteer with The Road Home families:
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Fear of the unknownAs a volunteer you probably desire to help others in some way. However you may not have had any experience working with poor, homeless or minority individuals or families. Thus you may find that you feel nervous or uncomfortable at first. It is normal to have these feelings when faced with the unknown.
It is important for you to know that our guests are people just like you and me. They might be your co-worker, neighbor, or fellow church member. They might be friends of your children or schoolmates. They may be our nurse’s aides when you are in the hospital or your waitress when you go out to dinner. All of us have probably had dealings with homeless individuals; we just did not know it.
The guest themselves may be uncomfortable also and for the same reason, the fear of the unknown. Every day there are new faces and every week new facilities.
Most volunteers have found that as soon as you meet the guests, and see that each is an individual, you begin to relax. Often times the guests themselves end up making the volunteers feel comfortable.
LabelingThe “homeless” often are depicted as addicts, people who “choose” to be homeless and people who steal for their food and never take baths. The word “homeless” throws people into a class of their own, as third-class citizens.
There are many reasons why people are homeless: Loss of a job, divorce or sudden separation of a partner, relocation where the temporary living arrangements have fallen through, domestic violence, condemnation of an apartment, etc. Each family has their own individual story and cannot be lumped together under one category of “homeless.”
Sometimes, unintentionally, volunteers will refer to the guests as “you people,” again categorizing the families and building a wall of separation between us. One of the goals of the network is to tear down those walls. Be aware of what you are saying!
RespectPeople tend to make decisions all of the time for the “homeless”. Just because they are homeless does not mean they are not responsible. Allow families as much control or say in the Network as possible. Don’t smother them with “helping” or by hovering. This gives the impression that they cannot do for themselves or that they need to be watched. It is fine to offer help if it seems appropriate. For example, mom is struggling to get the kids ready to go, feel free to ask her if she would like some help. Do expect the families to participate in daily living chores such as cleaning up after their kids and keeping the Day Center tidy.
Personal PrivacyBe respectful of our guest’s personal privacy. Don’t ask personal questions about their lives or how they became homeless. As you get to know them better you may find they are willing to share with you. However, you need to remember that you are only one volunteer of hundreds that our guests meet and they should not have to tell their story that many times.
Anything the families share with you is to remain confidential. However, if a guest has shared something with you that you find concerning please make sure you let The Road Home staff know.
Physical Privacy
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Be respectful of the family’s belongings. Do not go through them and if you need to move them for some reason, treat them carefully. It may not look like much to you but it may be all they own at this point in their lives. All items in the refrigerator at the day center belong to the families. Personal food items that families keep at the congregation should be labeled with their name.
ParentingAlways ask the parents’ permission to do or give anything to their child. Whether it is more dessert or doing an activity, the parent’s wishes must be observed. Do not contradict the parents. Let them parent their own kids even if they do it in a way that may be different from how you would do it.
Support the parents by playing with the kids in order to give the parents a break. Parents are often very tired due to stress. However, if the children get out of control then you need to give the kids back to the parents and let them take over. For health and safety reasons always have the parents take the children to the bathroom, change diapers or take care of any injuries. It is appropriate to model good parenting techniques but do not criticize the way the parents do something. If you develop a good relationship with the parents then they may be more open to sharing parenting experiences and swapping of ideas. However, nothing will turn off or make a parent more defensive than criticizing the way they parent.
JudgingDo not go into volunteering with a pre-conceived idea about the families. Each family and their circumstances are different. Get to know each person as an individual and try to imagine the stress they must be under. Understand that what you see during your shift is not the whole picture. Do not be judgmental. The families will feel this right away. Breaking down stereotypes is an integral part of The Road Home.
ConclusionJust act normal. Be friendly, offer help when appropriate but don’t be overeager. Get to know each person as an individual. Chances are you will learn a lot about strength, survival, persistence and hard times. Always feel free to contact the staff member on call if you have questions or concerns.
Orientation Guidelines: For Families Entering The Road Home ShelterRevised October, 2012
The Shelter
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Our family shelter operates from a network of 13 host congregations. Families stay at a particular congregation from supper time until early the next morning, for one week at a time. The host week runs from one Sunday to the next. Families will rotate from congregation to congregation during their stay at our family shelter. The nightly shelter is staffed by volunteers from the participating congregations and from the broader community.
Variations Between CongregationsWhile most of the following policies are standard and adhered to at all congregations there are a few a policies that vary from congregation to congregation. These may be things such as smoking after the doors are locked, or children in the kitchen, etc. Each congregation will let you know if their policies are different than the norm.
The Volunteer ManagerThe volunteer manager is responsible to make sure that things are running smoothly at the congregations. They check in several times a week with the guests and the volunteers. If you are having any issues with volunteers, food or accommodations please let the volunteer manager know right away. The host coordinators and volunteers at the congregations also call if they have questions, concerns or problems regarding the guests. The volunteer manager contacts the Executive Director and Shelter Case Manager regularly to let them know how things are going and promptly if there are problems and concerns.
Importance of CommunicationIn order to keep The Road Home running smoothly it is important to maintain good communication. You will need to have contact daily with the case manager and request any needed help, such as help getting to and/or from jobs (when not on a bus line), as early as possible. You must also communicate any employment schedules or other requirements during the week that will cause a change to the standard arrival or departure times. We expect you to be at dinner every night (6:00 pm) unless you have planned your absence and gotten approval 24 hours in advance. During the day, call the shelter case manager to report and get approval for any such changes.
On Call for EmergenciesIf there is an emergency after 5:00 pm or on the weekend, or you are unforeseeably delayed – such as you are asked to work overtime or the bus breaks down – you must call the on-call staff person at 225-1957. If the on-call staff person does not answer leave a voice mail message and a number where you can be reached. The on-call staff person will call you back as soon as possible.
Congregation Cell PhoneThe Road Home cell phone kept at the congregation is not for guest use. Its purpose is so that staff can reach the volunteers at the congregation and volunteers can reach staff as needed. If you need to change a driving route call the shelter case manager during office hours – 279-8042. Outside of office hours, call the on-call staff number – 225-1957.
Planning for Evening/Overnight PassesRequests for evening passes must be made to the case manager with 24 hours notice (sooner is preferable). Weekend passes (overnight Friday and/or Saturday) must be made to the case manager no later than 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. Changes to this schedule must be approved by the volunteer managers or the case manager with 24 hours’ notice (or 48 hours for a weekend pass). Failure to stick to the approved schedule may result in a written warning. If a warning is issued, the family that received the warning will not be allowed a weekend overnight pass the following weekend. Work schedules must be given to the case manager/volunteer managers in a timely fashion.
Meals
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You are expected to come to the dinner table each night. If you do not like the meal we expect you to eat what you can and to be polite. An exception will be made if you are ill. After the dinner hosts leave you may fix yourself a snack or sandwich if you are still hungry. You may never order out for food such as calling for a pizza to be delivered. This hurts the feelings of the volunteers and uses resources needed to move into an apartment.
Food in RoomsThere should be no food in your rooms. We do not want to encourage ants, roaches or rats!!! You are welcome to snack but do so in the designated areas. You may have your own food at the congregation but it needs to have your name on it and be kept in the kitchen or refrigerator.
Going Out After DinnerIf you wish to go a neighborhood store or park you may do so after dinner as long as the following four conditions are met:
1. You must walk (you may not drive or take a bus).2. You must be back by the time the congregation doors are locked (usually 9:00 pm).3. You must take your children with you.4. You must let a volunteer know that you are leaving and let them know when you will return.
It should go without saying that you are not to consume alcohol or drugs while out. Again if this policy is abused you will lose this privilege and receive a written warning.
TransportationWe expect all families to be at the day center and ready to go by 5:00 pm sharp. If we do not know where you are the van will leave without you. We expect all families to be ready to leave the congregations by 7:00 am. (9:00 am on Saturdays). This applies even if you are driving you own car. If you take an overnight pass on Saturday night, we expect you to be back to the day center by 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, even if you have your own car, so that you know how to get to the congregation. You will receive a written warning if we receive word that you are not ready to go or that we don’t know where you are.
Packing for the MoveAll families are moved to the next congregation each Sunday. You must be packed up by Saturday night, as there will not be enough time to do this on Sunday mornings. All bags, as well as your bed, need to be labeled with adult’s first name. If you are going to take an overnight pass on a Saturday, then your belongings must be packed and labeled Friday night. If you are going to take a weekend pass for Friday and Saturday, your belongings must be packed and labeled on Thursday night.
StorageIf you have storage or a friend who can keep most of your belongings, please sort out and try to keep with you only the things you really need. You are limited to bringing with you 3 bags per person plus 3 additional bags. Items above this amount need to be stored elsewhere until you secure your own apartment. Each Sunday, belongings are moved to the next congregation by volunteers.
Labeling of belongings and cotsYou are responsible for labeling all of your bags and belongings along with your cot. Please label each bag/item with the first name of one of the adult’s in the family. Also, please label your cot the same way. There should be masking tape and markers available at each congregation to have this done prior to each move on Sunday. Cots should have a plastic sleeve that will allow you to label it. This will help to ensure that all of your belongings are transported safely to the next congregation.
Sheets and Linens
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You will be given clean sheets, pillowcases and towels at each congregation, so those items need to be left behind on Sundays. The cots and the pillows and blankets issued to you by The Road Home will be transported by the congregation to the next host site. Upon leaving the program you may keep the quilt and pillows.
Personal ItemsIf you are in need of personal items such as toothbrushes, deodorant, diapers, etc. you may ask for them at the day center. We have a large supply of most personal items. In an emergency, you may check with the congregations as they also try to have some supplies on hand. However they are not required to supply these items.
Making LunchesThere will be cold lunch foods and leftovers that you make into lunches for the following day. This needs to be done right after dinner so that kitchen cleanup can be completed. There is not enough time in the morning to make lunches.
Cooking MealsYou may cook dinners any time. However, you must cook for everyone and give one-week notice to the congregation. Volunteers will ask you for a shopping list. The meal must be approved by the other families.
SnackingMost congregations are okay with adults helping themselves to any snack during the night. Children need to ask their parents’ permission and then the parents should get the snack for the kids. Most congregations will let you know if their policies differ from this.
Cleaning Up After Yourself and Your FamilyYou are expected to clean up after your family. This includes clearing all of the dishes, wiping off the table and any high chairs, vacuuming or sweeping up any mess from dinner. Each congregation is different but we would expect you to offer to help with washing dishes and any other general clean up. Before bed it is expected that you will help to pick up all toys even if your child was not the one to make the mess.
Responsibility for ChildrenYou are responsible for your children. Although there are volunteers here to play with your kids, parents are ultimately responsible. You need to be in the same room as your children and intervene whenever children are misbehaving. Volunteers do not want to have to discipline your kids. If you have different age groups of children, stay in the room with the younger kids. You do not have to stay in the room with a sleeping child as long you go down to check on them often. Take over when a volunteer comes to you to say that they need you to do so. You must always take your kids with you when you leave the congregation and the day center. If you need another The Road Home family to baby-sit in order for you to go to work or a job interview, both the parent and the sitter must sign a babysitting contract and have it signed by a staff or volunteer. It needs to be posted on the bulletin board at the day center or an obvious place at the congregation.
Smoking PolicySmoking is never allowed in our buildings or your rooms. You must always smoke outside. Each congregation will tell you where their smoking area is. There is no smoking after 10:00 pm. If a church’s security system can allow it, a congregation may make an exception to this rule. There is a 5 minute smoking time limit after 10:00pm.
Space Heaters14
There are to be no personal space heaters in the rooms at the congregations. If left on they create a fire hazard. If your room is cold, please ask a volunteer to turn up the heat or ask for more blankets.
Video PoliciesNo X-rated videos are allowed. R-rated videos are to be watched after younger children go to bed. Some congregations ask that all movies be rated PG-13 or under.
Diapers in RoomsPlease remove dirty diapers form your rooms. Most congregations will have a special bin for them. If you do not know where the bin is, ask.
Room ChecksThe Road Home staff may do room checks on the evenings they are at the congregations. Please try to keep your room tidy. They will be checking for food, diapers, and signs of smoking and general cleanliness. They will not go through personal belongings except if one is suspected of having drugs, alcohol or weapons.
Leaving Directly from the CongregationYou may leave directly from the congregation in the mornings if it works better for you to do so but let the volunteer managers and the congregation volunteers know that this is the plan. It is also possible for you to meet us at the congregation in the evening but you must let staff or the van driver know if you will be arriving by your own transportation. If traveling on your own you are still expected to arrive at the congregation in time for dinner at 6:00 pm and to leave the next morning at 7:00 am.
VisitorsThere are to be no visitors at the congregation or at the day center. It is fine to have people pick you up and drop you off but they are not to stay or come inside. This is for safety and confidentiality reasons.
Showers and LaundryShowers can be taken at the day center and at some of the congregations. When available at the congregation please shower there. Laundry can be done at the day center – detergent is available from the receptionist.
Parent GroupsWe have several parent groups during the month. The case manager or volunteer manager will notify you of the date and time. All parents are required to attend.
Please sign below to acknowledge that you have received these orientation guidelines as well as a member of staff has reviewed them with you.
Name______________________________________________ Date______________________________
Staff Member__________________________________________________________________________
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Frequently Asked Questions by Volunteers
FoodA Guest comes and says that they don’t like what is served for dinner. What do I do? On occasion a family may complain about the food. While they are in The Road Home’s IHN shelter they lose control over what they eat which can be frustrating for them. Try not to take complaints personally, tell them they are welcome to make themselves a sandwich or a snack and that they should talk to The Road Home staff if they have further issues with the food. You are not obligated to make anything more for them.
Do we know if guests have any food allergies or special diet needs? When a family enters The Road Home they are asked if they have any food allergies or foods that they do not eat for religious reason. This information is passed on to the coordinators who should then notify the cooks. Cooks need to be flexible and willing to change their menu if there are foods that cannot be eaten by a family. A common health issue is diabetes which requires a diet low in sugar and processed starches such as white bread with plenty of fresh vegetables. Diabetes often goes hand in hand with high blood pressure, so low salt is often recommended as well.
Am I required to adapt the diet when it is requested for religious reasons? Because The Road Home believes in caring for and respecting each person in our program regardless of race or religion we ask that dietary changes be made whether requested for health or religious reason. The most common request we have had for religious reason, is on the behalf of practicing Muslims. They are directed by their faith not to eat pork, shellfish or anything cooked with lard. They will not pick pepperoni off a pizza because the pizza is considered contaminated so that is not a solution.
Remember if you are not sure, ask the guests. A great way to avoid food problems is to ask your volunteer coordinator and feel free to contact the congregation that hosted the week before. Another good idea is to allow one night a week to be family’s choice or allow the families to cook a meal of their choosing.
Medical and medicationWhat is the policy on giving out over the counter drugs? It is ok to give adults over the counter medications such as Tylenol, cold and flu remedies. Parents must administer the medications to both themselves and their own children.
Should prescription drugs be locked up? Yes-Families that are taking prescription medications are given a lock bag, such as ones used by businesses for money, and a key. A second key is kept with the Case Manager. It is the family’s responsibility to keep their medication locked in the bag.
How do I know if I should call 911?If in doubt about the seriousness of an injury, call 911. If there is an injury but the person does not seem to be in imminent danger contact The Road Home on-call staff. They will make arrangements for a cab.
How do I know what hospital they should go to? In a clear plastic sleeve in The Road Home log, there should be a medical emergency information form on each family. It will tell you if they are taking any medications, who their doctor is and what hospital they should go to. If the family is not yet hooked up with a doctor or HMO send them to Meriter ER. They will take people who do not have insurance.
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Sleeping arrangementsWhat should I do if a family requests a different sleeping room? On occasion a family will be unhappy with their sleeping arrangements. Contact The Road Home staff before any switching of rooms. Let the staff decide if it is a reasonable request.
Is it ok for a family to go into a room with another family to visit or watch TV? Yes a family may visit or watch TV in another family’s room (assuming that the other family is present)
Can young children share a room to sleep while parents visit? Yes this is fine.
What should I do if a family complains of being too hot or too cold? It is difficult to please all of the families all of the time. It is ok to lend extra blankets or a fan. If everyone is cold, check with the building maintenance person about turning up the heat. Fans are often a must in the summer for those who have asthma.
Material itemsWhat do I do if guest requests shoes, clothing or household item? Do not promise them anything. Contact The Road Home staff on-call and/or the volunteer manager to inform them of the request and direct the family to speak with staff. Never give families money.
What do I do if guest reports items missing or stolen? Contact The Road Home on-call staff.
BehaviorWhat should I do if I am concerned about a guest’s behavior? Review the rules and the orientation for families to see what The Road Home expects. If you are still at all concerned or uncomfortable, do not hesitate to call the staff member on-call.
Other questionsWhat do I do if there is a problem with the building such as toilets over flowing or blowing a fuse? The name and phone number of the person in charge of building maintenance should be posted. If not, call the host congregation coordinator. Do not call The Road home staff, as they do not have specific knowledge about these kinds of issues.
Must I sign in every time I volunteer? Yes, it is important for our grant writing and funding purposes that we keep accurate records. It is important that you fill in name address, phone, number, activity and number of hours each time. Do not just write your name because often we cannot read the writing and then we have no other information to compare it with. Please write clearly.
TransportationDo I have to provide rides for the guest? Occasionally we are in need of volunteers to help get a guest to or from work or a school function. We will ask ahead of time if we have these needs. You are not required to provide rides, especially rides that have not been sanctioned by The Road Home Staff.
Should I help out a family with gas money if they have a car? No. Refer the family to the shelter case manager.
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Additional readings on Homelessness in Wisconsin:
Poverty across Wisconsin reaches highest level in 30 years: February 25, 2016Written by Karen Herzog (Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel)
Poverty in Wisconsin hit its highest level in 30 years during the five-year period ending in 2014, even as the nation's economy was recovering from the Great Recession, according to a trend analysis of U.S. census data just released by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers.
The number of Wisconsin residents living in poverty averaged 13% across that post-recession time frame — the highest since 1984, according to the analysis by UW-Madison's Applied Population Laboratory. In 1984, the poverty rate peaked at 15.5% as the nation was recovering from a double-dip recession.
The UW-Madison analysis dovetails with an unrelated study that identified pockets of the country faring worse as the economic recovery gains some traction, released Thursday by a national nonprofit research group in Washington, D.C.
That study, by the Economic Innovation Group, found the gap between the richest and poorest American communities widening, and ranked Milwaukee the seventh most distressed city in America, with 52% of the population considered economically distressed.
Poverty increased more dramatically across Wisconsin than in many other states, though 46 of the 50 states saw a significant increase in total population living in poverty between the five-year periods ending in 2009 and 2014, according to the UW-Madison analysis.
A five-year rolling average is considered more reliable and precise data than a year-to-year comparison. Five-year estimates also are the only census data available at the county and neighborhood level; one-year estimates are available for the state as a whole and the city of Milwaukee.
Using the five-year measure, poverty went up in both urban and rural parts of Wisconsin. It went up at every level of educational achievement, and across the employment spectrum.
Perhaps most significant, the poverty gap between blacks and whites grew here as the average gap was flat across the nation. The state's child poverty rate also went up significantly, fueling concerns about the future for many of the state's youngest residents.
"There is some good evidence that living in poverty and experiencing issues like food and housing insecurity can cause changes in the brain that can lead to behavioral issues and low performance in school, as well as chronic disease later in life," said Malia Jones, an assistant scientist and social epidemiologist at UW-Madison's Applied Population Laboratory.
It's no coincidence that two-thirds of students who cannot read above a fourth-grade level end up either in prison or on welfare, several literacy studies have shown.
Question On Data
A UW-Milwaukee associate professor of economics contacted by the Journal Sentinel questioned the accuracy of the analysis because he believes the 2014 poverty rate Jones used was incorrect, and skewed the results higher.
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Jones used a 2014 poverty rate of 13.3% from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, which provides detailed information about the population and workforce. Scott Adams, the economics professor and chair of UWM's economics department, pointed to a 2014 poverty rate of 10.9% from the Current Population Survey, considered a primary source for labor statistics.
Jones said she chose the American Community Survey because it's a larger sampling.
The years leading up to a recession and recession recovery naturally would look different, said Adams, who served as a senior economist for labor, welfare and education on the president's Council of Economic Advisers at the end of George W. Bush's presidency and the start of Barack Obama's first term.
He argued that poverty after the early 1980s recession was much worse than poverty after the most recent recession.
Jones said poverty is rising now because those at the bottom of the economic totem pole aren't benefiting from economic improvement. "Inequality is certainly worse now than in 1984," she said.The growing poverty gap between blacks and whites in Wisconsin also caught Adams' eye.
"What it reflects is the black population in Wisconsin was left completely out of the recovery," he said.The racial poverty gap, coupled with Milwaukee's high ranking among the most distressed American cities, "signals we have tremendous concerns," Adams said.
Statewide Issue
"Poverty's not a Milwaukee issue; it's a Wisconsin issue," said Charles McLimans, president and CEO of Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, which works with a network of pantries, soup kitchens, meal programs and homeless shelters to distribute food in 36 counties in eastern Wisconsin.
"Because Milwaukee is such a segregated city and problems are concentrated in southeastern Wisconsin, people outside (the area) don't see and fully understand the issue," McLimans said. "This certainly helps to shine a light on it."
The Applied Population Laboratory analysis found:
■ Poverty went up significantly in 31 of 72 Wisconsin counties, including 11 of the 15 most populous counties, during the most recent five-year span. Estimates show about 738,000 Wisconsin residents were living in poverty during the 2010-'14 period, compared to 605,000 in the 2005-'09 time frame.
■ Nearly one in five Wisconsin children was living in poverty during the 2010-'14 time frame — 239,000 children in all, or 18.5% of all children. That's up dramatically from 14.6% in 2005-'09, and represents another 50,000 children.
Only 10 states had faster rates of increase in child poverty than Wisconsin.
■ Twenty-five of Wisconsin's 72 counties had a significant increase in child poverty. No county had a significant decrease. The highest childhood poverty county remains Menominee, which went up from 35.1% to 44.8% of residents under age 18 living in poverty.
Milwaukee County, the state's largest urban center, went from 26.4% to 33% child poverty and is now tied for second highest with Sawyer County in northern Wisconsin, where Hayward is located.
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Other Wisconsin counties with child poverty rates above the national average (21.9%) for 2010-'14 included: Kenosha, Rock, Vilas, Forest, Adams, Clark, Vernon, Monroe, Burnett, Ashland, Rusk and Jackson.
■ Racial disparities in poverty are bigger here than in the U.S. as a whole, and are growing faster. The poverty gap between African-Americans and whites grew 4 percentage points in Wisconsin, while the national average did not grow, Jones said.
Wisconsin's poverty rate was 39% for blacks and 28% for Latinos, compared with 11% for whites — significantly wider gaps than in the rest of the country. Nationally, the analysis reported the gap between blacks and whites was 16 percentage points, and for Latinos and whites, 13 percentage points.
■ Significant changes in poverty occurred among adults at every level of educational achievement in Wisconsin.
For those with less than a high school education, poverty rose from 20.5% to 24.5%. The impact was mitigated by a decrease in total population with low educational attainment, which dropped from 380,000 to 337,000.
For those with a high school education, poverty rose from 8.9% to 11%. It increased from 6.6% to 8.9% among those with some college. Poverty also touched those with bachelor's degrees or more, rising from 3% in 2005-'09 to 3.6% in 2010-'14.
■ Poverty cut across various levels of employment in Wisconsin.
Among the unemployed, poverty increased from 27% to 31.6%. The number of unemployed adults grew by about 35,000 people between the five-year periods ending in 2009 and 2014.
Increases were also seen among the working poor. Among employed adults, poverty rose from 6% to 7%. It increased among those employed full-time from 2% to 2.4%.
UW-Madison's Applied Population Lab is housed in the Department of Community and Environmental Sociology in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.
UW-Madison's Institute for Research on Poverty each year produces a single-year census data comparison called the Wisconsin Poverty Report. That report is due later this spring.
http://archive.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/poverty-across-wisconsin-reaches-highest-level-in-30-years-b99676529z1-370157381.html
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How many people are homeless?As of the last, official count, about 564,708 people experience homelessness on any given night in the United States.
Why are people homeless?Specific reasons vary, but research shows people are homeless because they can’t find housing they can afford. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), an estimated 12 million renter and homeowner households now pay more then 50 percent of their annual incomes for housing, and a family with one full-time worker earning the minimum wage cannot afford the local fair-market rent for a two-bedroom apartment anywhere in the United States.
HUD also notes that the generally accepted definition of housing affordability is no more than 30 percent of monthly income going toward housing costs. Families or individuals who pay more than 30 percent of their income for housing are considered “cost-burdened” and can have difficulty affording necessities such as food, clothing, transportation, and medical care.
The lack of affordable housing is a significant hardship for low-income households and can prevent them from meeting their other basic needs, such as nutrition and health care, or saving for their future.
http://www.endhomelessness.org/pages/faqs
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Race and Homelessness
Nationally 50% of all homeless people are African-American 12% Hispanic 2-4% Native American ~1% Asian
ABOUT 65% of the homeless population is people of color
Families served by The Road Home 63% African-American 15% Biracial 1-2% Hispanic
ABOUT 80% of the homeless families served at The Road Home are people of color
Related StatisticsRace and Poverty
Nationally, families of color are more than three times as likely to be working, but still poor. In Dane County roughly 37% of African American children lived in poverty in 2000.
Child poverty rates are six times greater for African American children than for white children in Wisconsin – the worst rate in all 50 states.
Wealth and African AmericansIncome is what people get paid. Wealth is what people own. Wealth is racially disparate.
Regardless of educational, occupational, and demographic characteristics, White Americans’ median net worth is twelve times that of black Americans.
SegregationSegregation persists at very high levels for African-Americans and is improving at an extremely slow
pace. It is worst in Northern cities such as Detroit, Milwaukee and Chicago.
Why is race such a significant factor?Structural racism* - the shift from the explicit to the covertWhile individual attitudes towards race appear to have improved over the past decade, institutional change has not. Society has transformed from explicitly racist laws and attitudes to superficially race-neutral policies, which work to isolate people of color from opportunities.
A characteristic feature of structural racism is its ability to conceal and disguise its true nature, which makes it an insidious force.
Homelessness and Structural racism* * *
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Homelessness can be seen as a symptom of structural racism, Homelessness is tied to disparities in income, wealth, available jobs, education level, access to healthcare, etc.
Homelessness can also be seen as an example of structural racismWhy has the homeless problem been allowed to explode to the extent it has?
Homelessness/poverty of people of color also contribute to racism Reality and stereotyping of poor/homeless people of color reinforces a belief system that
normalizes and excuses the racially-based class hierarchy. This, in turn, reproduces these inequalities.
The Need to Think in Terms of Opportunity“Opportunity structures” are the resources and services that contribute to stability and advancement
Fair access to opportunity structures is limited by segregation, concentration of poverty, fragmentation, and sprawl in our regions, particularly for low-income households and families of color
Housing and Opportunity: Obviously homelessness is tied to the availability of affordable housing, but it is not simply a matter of building more houses in a community or region. Questions to answer:
1. Is the housing affordable?2. Does it create access to employment?3. Is the housing situated in proximity to transportation options4. Does the housing support school readiness, school stability and educational enhancement?5. Does the housing support the health of occupants?6. How is wealth limited or advanced by the housing?
The choices people make are within constraints. We cannot look only to the choices that are being made, but must also focus on those that are available.
* Structural racism refers to the laws and policies of government and other entities that create unequal distribution of material resources, such as jobs, income and housing as well as unequal access to opportunities such as education and training. Examples of structural racism include past and current lending, zoning and development laws and policies that create and sustain segregation. These laws and policies often appear neutral without further examination.
Information adapted from the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity at www.kirwaninstitute.org
Trauma-informed Care
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The Road Home strives to offer services that recognize the effects of trauma and are sensitive to the needs of people who have experienced trauma. We are aware that the vast majority of our participants have experienced trauma.
What is trauma?Trauma is extreme stress that overwhelms a person’s ability to cope. It creates feelings of vulnerability, helplessness and fear and can interfere with relationships and fundamental beliefs. Trauma may occur through violence, maltreatment, neglect or deprivation, exploitation, war, disaster and/or abrupt and negative life changes.
What is complex or developmental trauma?A single incident or period of trauma can cause symptoms of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder). Complex trauma is the result of traumatic experiences that are interpersonal, intentional, prolonged and repeated. Developmental trauma describes complex trauma that occurs in childhood which increases its negative effects.
What are the effects of complex/developmental trauma?The immediate physiological effects of trauma are commonly known as “fight, flight or freeze”. In these states the “thinking” part of the brain shuts down and the “doing” part goes to work. Over time, if these reactions are repeated, brain development is affected so that the action systems develop more and the development of the thinking/reasoning systems is slowed. These effects on the brain can lead to impulsive or violent behavior, anxiety, depression, drug and alcohol abuse and learning disorders. Complex/developmental trauma also leads to fundamental beliefs such as the following:
• The world is unsafe • Other people are unsafe• My thoughts and feelings are unsafe• I expect crisis, danger and loss• I have no worth and no abilities
What is Trauma-Informed Care?Volunteers and staff at The Road Home may see our guests make parenting, decision-making, communication and other choices that are upsetting or challenging. While The Road Home staff works with each family to address these areas, it is critical for everyone to understand that these behaviors may stem from a history of trauma. It is also important to understand that angry, judgmental or overly rigid responses can re-traumatize a survivor.
Try asking yourself the following questions:• “I wonder what happened to that person?” (instead of “what’s wrong with him/her?") • “I wonder what might have triggered that reaction?” • “I wonder how I can be supportive to this person and his/her family?”
Please consult with professional staff at any time to discuss behaviors that concern you and to ask how we are addressing these issues effectively from a trauma-informed perspective.
Self-Test: Please take a moment to review your answers for these questions. If you come across a question that you had a different answer to and/or had difficulty answering, please review the packet materials again and/or contact the volunteer manager for assistance. Once you feel comfortable with
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the materials from this training packet, please turn in your completed volunteer application and we will contact you to get started as a volunteer!
Questions about Volunteer tasks and responsibilities:
1. Name some reasons why you might call the staff member on call.
*If a family shows up late.*If a family does not show up at all.*If anyone needs to go to the hospital or in an emergency.*If there are any behavior problem amongst the adults.*If a guest shows up intoxicated.*If a guest spanks a child.*For anything else that may arise that may be of concern.*You should also call if you have any questions about rules, policies or anything else.
2. What is the The Road Home log? Name two sections of the log. What are you supposed to do with the log?
*The Road Home log is a white binder with travels between host congregations. When you first arrive to do your volunteer shift, you should look for a white binder with The Road Home printed on it. It contains the following:*Emergency numbers including staff*Personal and medical information on each family in case of an emergency*Volunteer sign-in sheets - Each volunteer needs to sign in and out and fill out all information each time. Volunteer demographics are collected every year for United Way.*Log- Our way of exchanging information. Your notes can be to coordinators, volunteers, or to The Road Home staff. *The Road Home Health and safety policies.
You should write the following items in the log:*Each shift may like to write a summary in the log of how their shift went. Volunteers can also send emails with information about their shift to volunteer coordinators.*Each shift needs to inform the next shift on who is in the program and if anyone is not yet there due to work or other unknown reasons.
3. What are the two purposes of the congregation cell phone?
*The congregation cell phone serves as the main way for The Road Home staff to reach the volunteer and/or guests without phones in the evenings. It also serves as a way for the volunteers to contact on-call staff with questions and/or concerns or a way for the volunteers to call 911 in the event of an emergency.
4. Name at least two Universal Health Precautions.
Universal Health Precautions:
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To help avoid potential contagious diseases you should:*Never change a child’s diapers, treat a bloody wound, clean up vomit of the guests or their children. Always have the parent do this for their children.*If it is unavoidable and you need to deal with any bodily fluids of the guests, always wear protective gloves. There should be some in the congregations’ first aid kit.*Use bleach and water solution to clean surfaces and the beds of guests that have left the program.
5. Parents must watch their own children at all times except……
Parents are always responsible for supervising their children while at our host congregation. If a babysitting contract is signed by another parent that is a residing in our shelter, then that parent will be responsible for supervising the child until the other parent returns. Babysitting contracts can be located in The Road Home binder. On-call staff will inform volunteers prior to the families arriving if a babysitting contract is in place before the families arrive for the evening. For example: if a parent is working and will not be arriving to the host congregation until after the dinner hour and another parent in shelter has agreed to watch their child until they arrive.
1. Quiet time is 10:00 PM and families should be in their rooms. T F
2. Notes need to be entered in the log or email to coordinators for each shift. T F
3. Families must be at the congregation every night for dinner unless absence is planned in advance. T F
4. Parents may spank their kids in the privacy of their rooms. T F
5. Families may leave their children with volunteers and leave the property (i.e. go run an errand.) T F
6. Volunteers are expected to purchase all food and personal items requested by the guest families. T F
7. It is ok for volunteers to discipline guest’s children. T F
8. Volunteers are expected to provide all rides requested by The Road Home Families. T F
9. The congregation cell phone should be with a volunteer at all times. T F
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What to do?
Multiple choice - Circle all that apply
1. A parent is not supervising a child. You should:
a. Go to the parent and ask him or her to supervise the child. b. Take the responsibility for watching the child. c. Do nothing.d. Call the staff member on-calle. Remind the parent that they can ask a volunteer to watch the child for a few
minutes for a quick smoke or bathroom break.f. Give parenting advice.
2. There is a mess in the common area. You should:
a. Ask the families to clean it up.b. Ask older children to clean up after themselves. c. Call the staff member on-call if this is a concern more than once.d. Clean up the mess yourself.
2. Quiet time - It is 10 PM and families are not in their rooms you should:
a. Inform families that it is time to be in their rooms and quiet.b. Let families stay up as long as they want.c. Remind families politely if they do not follow instructions.d. Call the staff member on-call
3. An adult breaks a Shelter Network rule. You should:
a. Inform that adult, calmly, that they have broken the rule.b. Decide not to inform staff because you don’t want to tell on anyone. c. Inform the adult, angrily, that they have broken the rule.d. Call the staff member on-call immediately
Questions regarding Volunteer Policies and Procedures:
Why do you think that confidentiality of our guests is so important?Guests deserve the respect and dignity that comes with confidentially and it will help maximum their chance of success to not immediately be seen as “homeless” and have to face the stigma that comes along with it. Guests should feel safe at all of our host congregations as well as our day center so not sharing information about who is residing in our shelter and/or providing information to individuals that are not staff of The Road Home or active volunteers within our shelter program is a must.
When might you find it hard to keep information confidential?If the safety of a guest, staff or volunteer is in question. As a volunteer, you must abide by the rule of informing The Road Home on-call staff member with any information that puts someone’s safety in jeopardy. This is also pertaining to the safety and security of any of our host congregations, day center, etc.
What should you do if you learn of potentially dangerous/ or disturbing information?*You should call The Road Home on-call staff right away at 608.225.1957*Call 911 if there is an immediate danger (i.e. weapon, fight, etc.) and call the on-call staff.
List three ways of handling confrontation in the order that you would use them*Calmly remind the guest of the rules without blame or judgment.*Call The Road Home on-call staff member even if the confl8ict was immediately resolved.*If feeling threatened, call 911 and/or leave for a safer area.*If there are other individuals in the immediate area, ask them to vacate the area. Try to isolate the individual that is being confrontational and eliminate any audience.
Questions regarding the Rules for Families :
The Road Home guests must meet with their case manager regularly throughout the week. What are some of the things The Road Home guests are expected to be doing while in the program?
Guests are expected to look for and/or increase monthly income, work on applying for and securing safe, affordable housing and address any goals that they may have. Guests meet with their case manager regularly to identify barriers that may hinder them from finding housing. Guests are also expected to follow the rules and guidelines that are outlined for them prior to entering our shelter.
What are the smoking rules?
Guests can only smoking in designated areas at our host congregations. Guests are advised to inform the volunteers when they are stepping outside for a break and guests should only be taking no more than 10 minute breaks at a time. Guests are informed that smoking inside any host congregation or inside our day center will result in immediate termination from program.Guests should be advised of the smoking policy at each host congregation especially if smoking after the 10pm quiet time starts or when doors are locked.
True/False
1. Guests are told clearly that they must treat others with respect T F
2. Adult guests are to clean up after themselves and their kids. T F
3. The Road Home Staff must approve family’s overnight passes. T F
4. All parents are required to attend any parent class that is scheduled by The Road Home staff TF
5. New guests are made aware of all of the rules. T F
Questions regarding Economics, Race, Truama and Sensitivity:
List three reasons why people might find themselves homeless.*Loss of income/employment*Eviction or loss of housing*Rising cost of housing or lack of affordable housing options*Unexpected financial cost such as death of a loved one or medical expense*Divorce or end of a relationship
List and explain three barriers for families to getting back on their feet. *Lack of education or training that keeps individuals from obtaining better paying jobs*Lack of childcare in order to go to work*Unreliable transportation to and from work
What does race have to do with homelessness?*65% of the homeless population and 80% of those in The Road Home are people of color.*Fair access to “opportunity structures” is undeniably skewed in favor of white families.*Stereotyping the poor/homeless makes these disparities excusable, this in turn promotes further racism and more poverty for these groups.
How can I be sensitive to guests who may have trauma histories?*Avoid reacting with anger or judgment to any behavior that you do not understand and instead ask yourself what this individual may have gone through or what could have triggered such a reaction. *Avoid asking questions that are sensitive in nature such as “How did you become homeless?” or “What happened to you?”
How would you know if a guest feels like talking?*You will know when a guest feels like talking when they initiate a conversation beyond simply being polite. Allow the guests to direct the conversation. It is also fine if a guest wants to go to their private room after the dinner hour and just relax for the evening. Most of the guests we have in our shelter love to interact with our volunteers while some enjoy having some along time in their rooms.
What questions might be too personal to ask a The Road Home guest family?*”What’s your story?” or “How did you end up homeless?”*”What are you going to do if you cannot find housing?”-Allow the guests to direct the conversation. You may find that some guests are more talkative than others and some might share more of their life story. Just be mindful of asking any questions that are too personal and intruding.
True/Falsea. Volunteers may go into the family’s rooms at any time. T F
b. Volunteers should ask the parents’ permission before giving children food or offering activities T
F
c. The Road Home guests’ belongings should be moved carefully and in one piece. T
F
d. Volunteers need to be mindful of terminology used when referring to The Road Home guests. T
F
e. Volunteers should ask guests whether they have experienced trauma. T F
f. Volunteers should follow families around to assure the safety of others and the facilities. T
F
