VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY Our volunteer community is an essential part of the success of our programs.  In order to help maintain a sense of stability and consistency for our guest population, we ask that all volunteers commit to volunteering a minimum of one shift a month for four months.  We require all volunteers to attend a volunteer orientation and complete a background check and application prior to volunteering at ROOTS. Positions working with guests in a more advanced capacity are required to attend our free conflict deescalation training to help increase their skills in milieu management. We recommend that all volunteers attend the University District Service Providers Alliance training, "The Ropes: Understanding and Engaging Youth Homelessness." This training was created by area service providers specifically to help volunteers in this community learn about the causes and characteristics of youth homelessness, the nature of street life and culture, and tools for engaging these youth and young adults. Check out the Events calendar at www.udsp.org for training dates and times. Programs like ours thrive because of the hard work of our volunteers. We appreciate your interest in serving, and welcome any questions or comments at volunteer@rootsinfo.org. EVENING SHELTER VOLUNTEER Volunteers set up and clean up shelter areas, help supervise and enforce program guidelines, hand out supplies, interact and build positive relationships with guests. Must be 18 years old. Positions with more direct guest interaction required to take conflict deescilation training. Any day of the week, 8-10:30PM. OVERNIGHT SHELTER VOLUNTEER Overnight volunteers assist during the evening program (see Evening Shelter Volunteer), during an 'awake shift' of 1.5 to 2.5 hours during the night, and in the mornings engaging with guests and cleaning up. Overnight volunteers MUST attend the Conflict De-escalation Training and 'The Ropes' is also highly recommended. Must be 18 years old. Any day of the week, 8PM-8:30AM. MORNING FLOOR VOLUNTEER Assist the Overnight Supervisor and overnight volunteers monitoring bathrooms, handing out basic needs supplies, engaging with guests and enforcing program guidelines. New Morning Floor volunteers MUST attend 'The Ropes' training and do two evening shifts before volunteering in the mornings. Must be 18 years old. Any Day of the Week (not Sat), 6:45-8:30am; Saturday 7:15-9:30am   BREAKFAST COOK Volunteers help prepare a simple hot breakfast, serve food to guests, and clean up kitchen.  Volunteers under 18 may participate with adult supervision. Any day of the week, 6:30-8:30AM. FRIDAY FEAST All-ages meal program serving a hot dinner to 100 people.  Volunteers help with meal preparation between 3-6PM, serving dinner from 6-7PM, and clean up until 8PM.  Volunteers under 18 may participate with adult supervision. Fridays, flexible hours, 3-8PM. ADMINISTRATIVE VOLUNTEER Volunteers assist Executive and Program Directors with assorted administrative support tasks including collating applications and training materials, upkeep of supply storage areas, copying, filing, mailings, etc. Flexible schedule. GROUP VOLUNTEER PROJECTS Gather a group of people together and set-up a time to come in and help with housekeeping around shelter.  Tasks include: organizing clothing closet, sanitizing mats, cleaning and organizing the kitchen, and sorting donations.  Volunteers under 18 may participate with adult supervision.  Flexible scheduling options available.