What Can You Do To Help IMI?
- YOU can help by volunteering as an intake, office, pantry, Prescription Project or interpreting volunteer.
- YOU can help by donating your time as a board or committee member.
- YOU can help by donating your money to IMI so we can continue to help people who ask for assistance as a last resort.
- YOU can help by donating food and hygiene items to the pantry.
OFFICE VOLUNTEER
Area of responsibility: To be responsible for the smooth operation of the Interfaith office, including preparing client files, answering the telephone and doors, filing, copying, and other routine office tasks.
Qualifications: Organizational skills; ability to relate in a friendly manner to clients, other volunteers and staff; good telephone skills; legible handwriting; accurate filing ability.
Time required: minimum 2 hours per month.
Training: Orientation (2 hours) and on-the-job training will be arranged with the Volunteer Coordinator to thoroughly acquaint the volunteer with the tasks required in this position.
Comments: Receptionists are the first people encountered by clients who come to Interfaith for assistance. A friendly, calm, accepting attitude toward those in need is a must!
INTAKE VOLUNTEER
Area of responsibility: To interview clients and determine how Interfaith can best help with the needs presented. This includes a one-on-one interview, careful completion of required paperwork, and joint decision-making with other counselors and staff.
Qualifications: The ability to establish rapport with all kinds of people in order to gain necessary information. The ability to summarize situations verbally and in writing. The willingness to “follow through” in each case by exploring options on client’s behalf. Also counselors need good telephone skills, legible handwriting, and the ability to work well with staff and other volunteers.
Time required: minimum 2 hours per month.
Training: Orientation with the Volunteer Coordinator, observing other intake volunteers, reading and then reviewing the manual with the Director of Services, and interviewing under supervision by other intake volunteers (minimum 6 hours).
Comments: Intake is at the heart of Interfaith’s ministry, and requires self-confidence and the ability to make decisions and stand by them.
RX VOLUNTEER
Area of responsibility: To interview clients requesting admission to the Rx Project; to take prescription orders from Rx clients and fax the orders to the pharmacy; to keep accurate records on each client.
Qualifications: Good telephone skills; friendliness; legible handwriting; organizational skills.
Time required: 8 - 10 hours per month (usually 2 hours one morning each week).
Training: Orientation with the Volunteer Coordinator, reading the entire the manual and learning the details required, on-the-job observation and training with experienced Rx volunteers (4 - 6 hours).
PANTRY VOLUNTEER
Area of responsibility: To be responsible for weighing, sorting, shelving, and packaging all incoming and outgoing food items; to keep the pantry area clean and well-organized.
Qualifications: Ability to lift sacks of groceries; some organizational skills; ability to work well with other volunteers and staff; compassion for clients in need of assistance; willingness to tackle jobs that need to be done with little supervision.
Time required: minimum 2 hours per month.
Training: Orientation with the Volunteer Coordinator, reading the entire manual to obtain an awareness of the details required, on-the-job observation and training with experienced pantry volunteers (2-4 hours)
CITA INTERPRETER/TRANSLATOR
Area of responsibility: Provide translating and/or interpreting services for CITA program clients according to CITA Program Guidelines.
Qualifications: Ability to speak, read and write fluently in English and speak, read and/or write fluently in at least one other language. Although interpreting/translating training or experience is not required, it is important for CITA volunteers to be comfortable communicating in both languages and switching between languages. CITA volunteers should be able to distance themselves, to a certain extent, from a client’s circumstances in order to concentrate on the task of interpreting and/or translating. At the same time, CITA volunteers should be courteous and helpful.
Time required: Variable per interpreting/translating assignment. No minimum hours are required. Volunteers are contacted on a “as needed” basis. Often volunteers are needed almost immediately or with very little notice.
CITA Training: Orientation and training workshops are offered on an “as needed” basis. All CITA volunteers are given an orientation packet that outlines program guidelines and basic interpreting practices. The CITA Coordinator can provide additional guidance and training as necessary. Also, arrangements can be made for a new volunteer to accompany a more experienced volunteer on an interpreting assignment.
