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 Volunteer
Volunteers were vital in the formative years when New Hope Village evolved from a dream of meeting a recognized need, into a reality of buildings, people, and services.Volunteers continue to be vital now as New Hope Village seeks to function as the best possible facility, helping adults with disabilities develop their potential to the fullest level possible.
Perhaps you will volunteer directly with a New Hope Village client, or you may rarely have contact with New Hope clients. In either case, your volunteering is a valuable contribution to the persons served by New Hope Village.
The goal of the Volunteer Program of New Hope Village is to help provide a higher quality of life to New Hope Village clients who live both on and off campus. This may be done through direct or indirect services. Volunteers can give many extras that would not otherwise be available to clients. Volunteers are therefore instrumental in the fulfillment of the clients' lives.
Qualifications
Volunteers of New Hope Village share in the common goal of benefiting the lives of the clients. Placement as a volunteer in an area will depend upon your skills and interests, as well as your own preference. Involvement in a client's life can be rewarding and challenging. Each client has his or her own special needs and individual disability. Above all, the clients are people just like you.
Volunteers give service in addition to that of staff members. The volunteer supplements, supports, and enriches the work of the paid staff members, but never replaces it. Staff is readily available for guidance and is willing to intervene as necessary.
Types of volunteer service include, but are not limited to: 1 to 1 volunteers, church drivers/companions, pet therapy, Village Bargain Shoppes, Expanding Horizons, Golden Opportunities, cottages and community homes, leisure services, student service projects, work activity areas, and special projects.
Potential volunteers will fill out a Volunteer Application form and will be subject to at least one reference check. Any volunteer who has contact with clients will be checked through the Iowa Criminal History/Dependent Adult Abuse Registry.
Volunteers will complete an orientation within 90 days after beginning volunteer work. This will consist of a tour of the area in which you will volunteer. A general tour of all New Hope facilities will be offered. You will be given an explanation of the volunteer policies and a statement on New Hope philosophy. Safety instruction pertinent to your area of volunteering will be given. This will include information about fire drills, chemicals, use of equipment, lifting, first aid, etc. You will be given a Volunteer Manual containing necessary information.
As you start work in your area, always feel free to ask questions. The more knowledge you have of your work area, the better you can serve the clients. The director or residential coordinator can answer most of your questions. Feel free to contact the Volunteer Coordinator if you need more information or if you have suggestions.
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