VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Petaluma Kitchen

Desire to drink coffee and nibble on day-old pastries welcomed, but not required. We are looking for regularity in scheduling as well as folks able to be ‘on-call.’ Periodic or occasional volunteers also welcome. Hours run from 7:00 am to 1:00 pm every day.

• Morning drivers - Pick up food at local grocery stores.  Must have a valid driver’s license and insurance. 
  

• Clean Up - Dishwashers and more.
  

• Cooks, Prep Cooks, Servers and Soup Stirrers
  

• Donation Organizers - Help sort donated food. 
  

• Food For Families - every Saturday morning we deliver groceries to low and fixed income families, seniors and others in our community.

Family Center and Shared Housing

• Children's Program - Assist with Children’s Haven daycare program.  Assist teachers with care of children.  Bring personal talents in to share i.e. artists, musicians.  Minimum age for this position is 16 years old. 

• Tutor - Assist school-age students with homework during Tutoring Room hours, Tuesday and Thursday evenings 6:00pm to 8:00pm.  Especially needed are tutors with Math and English skills.  Minimum age for tutoring is 18 years old.

• Mentoring for Rent Right Program - Nine week program for 2-3 hours on Monday evening. Assist and support clients in this finance and rent-a-home program.

• Meals - Prepare meals for Rent Right and Kid’s First participants and their children. Monday evening for 30 people.
  

Mary Isaak Center Shelter for Adults w/out children in their care.

Minimum age for volunteers is 21 years old unless there are special circumstances.

• Computer Lab Volunteer - Assist individuals to use computers, basic word processing, and/or Internet.  Materials provided. 

• Workshop Facilitator - Give small group workshops explaining the process and paperwork needed to get ID, Driver’s License and/, or County Medical Insurance (CMSP).  Training and workshop outlines and materials provided. 

• Workshop Presenters - Creative Arts, Music, Personal Improvement, i.e. Mediation, exercise

• Job Search Coach - Assist and support a client who is going through the Job Skills Class to complete their assignments around finding a job.

• Painter - Help and/or coordinate volunteers to paint rooms within the new shelter.

• Adult Literacy - Help another adult with reading and writing skills.  Training provided through Sonoma County Adult Literacy program.

The Family Connection

• Family Support Team Member - As part of a team of 3 to 5 volunteers, you will create a support network for a family in your community that is transitioning out of homelessness.  Volunteers commit to working with their team and family for one year. Volunteer time, throughout the year, averages about 2 hours per week.  There is also a monthly meeting with the family, the entire team and the supervising Family Support Coordinator.

Overall

• Drivers - Drive homeless families or singles to various appointments and some evening hours; must have valid driver’s license and insurance. 

• Truck Driver - Individuals with trucks to haul pieces of furniture to various sites including the dump.  Minimum age for this position is 26 years old and must have a vehicle, valid driver's license and insurance. 

• Gardening - Gardening, planting, weeding, and special projects that include our residents/clients.

• Maintenance - Plumbing Electric, painting and general maintenance for our shelters and transitional homes.

• Auto Technicians - Help maintain or repair client vehicles.
  

• Office Assistant - Willing to work in the Petaluma COTS Family Shelter, the administrative offices, or the Mary Isaak Center.  Minimum age for this position is 18 years old to work independently.