I’m reaching out from ECHO Shelter in Atascadero. We’ve opened up an emergency center in Atascadero and are looking to recruit volunteers to fill the overnight chaperone position. I wasn’t sure if any of your members would be interested in volunteering for this role. They would get a chance to work directly with folks who are experiencing homelessness and provide a safe and secure environment for them to sleep for the night. I’ll attach the posting for volunteers below, if you think anyone would be interested in this position. Please reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns about the role.
Contact Jenn Banko for more information at (805) 792-2536 or email [email protected].
Greetings People of the Diocese of Monterey from Sister Theresa Harpin, Founder and Executive Director of Restorative Partners, an organization that transforms lives impacted by crime through healing services and relationships. We work with some of the most forgotten, marginalized, alienated, dismissed people in our diocese. We provide over 30 programs to those in-custody as well as operate five recovery reentry homes within our diocese. We house 45-50 men, women and women with children every night, feeding, clothing, and providing wraparound services i.e., substance abuse and domestic violence treatment, life skills and job readiness classes, spiritual counseling, transportation and more. During this holy season of Advent, please join us in our mission to care for the least of God's people with a donation of any amount. Here's a link to our appeal landing page that gives you three short videos of some of our participants who once were clients and now serve on staff with Restorative Partners. Please take a moment to listen to their amazing stories, fill your hearts with the hope and joy of Advent and consider a donation to
Restorative Partners.
El camino homeless shelter
Overnight Chaperones - 5:30pm - 7:00am Openings starting Wednesday 12/16, with more shifts available throughout the month (14 hours): At least two volunteers must stay overnight with the guests as chaperones to help supervise the evening. The shift is 5:00 pm-7:00 am. Upon arrival you will go through training with an experienced volunteer. Chaperones take turns taking sleeping shifts during the night, with one chaperone awake at all times. Start time can be flexible if you need to come in later. You can start as late as 9:00pm and can leave as early as 5:00am if needed- just let us know in advance so we can be prepared. ).
COVID19 Procedures:
At ECHO the health and safety of our clients, volunteers, and staff are always our top priority. We understand there are growing concerns around Coronavirus (COVID-19).
I have listed our hygiene precautions in accordance with the latest CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) strict guidelines:
· If you are feeling unwell, we ask that you stay home and rest. Let us know if you need to cancel your shift at your earliest convenience. · Hand washing stations are located at all 3 entrances of the building. Everyone must wash their hands with soap and water before entering the building. · Hand sanitizer stations are located throughout the shelter and dining room. · Staff, volunteers, and residents are rotating to use sanitizing wipes to sanitize all frequently used handrails, doorknobs, tables, chairs, appliances, etc once an hour. · Brezden Pest Control does a proper sanitation of the shelter weekly with non-toxic disinfectant. · If you are able, please wear the provided gloves and face mask for the duration of your shift. If wearing these items is an issue for you, please reach to discuss alternatives. · Volunteers and staff will be using a no-touch thermometer to take all clients temperatures daily. · For the time being, all community dinners will be served in to-go boxes. To encourage social distancing, all dinner guests are asked to leave the property once they've received their meal box. · We currently have less than 30 residents living at the shelter to increase social distancing. · We've received 2 trailers from the county to isolate clients should anyone find themselves feeling ill. So far, we have not had any clients show any symptoms of the virus.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.
We can't thank you enough for supporting ECHO during this time! We rely on over 1,500 volunteers annually to help keep ECHO open. Every person who comes to the shelter to help is providing a critical service that so many of our clients and guests depend on, especially now. Any sort of food, monetary, or volunteer donation is greatly needed and appreciated during this time!