Family Promise of Greater Orlando’s Orientation for Interfaith Hospitality

Network Volunteers

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Volunteer Training and Orientation Contents ………………… 2

Purpose of Orientation / Training ………………………………... 3

What is Family Promise ………..……………………………….. 4

Family Promise Programs ….. ………………………………........ 5

Family Promise of Greater Orlando. …...…………………….. 6

Why Choose Interfaith Hospitality Network ……………….. 7 - 10

Benefits of Family Promise ………………………………………...11

Guidelines for Hosting Families at Your Church ……………... 12

Guest participation Agreement ……………………………………..13

Typical Congregation Rule …………………………………….14

Volunteer Guidelines …………………………………………....15

Daily Routine ……………………………………………...........16 - 17

Volunteer Opportunities ………………………………………… 18

Guest “Contact”/ “Non-contact” Volunteer Tasks …..…...……. 19

Volunteer job Descriptions ………………………………....... 20 - 25

Sample Sign-up Chart ………………………………………… 26

 

 

Purposes of this Orientation Session

•To familiarize and training for new volunteers or those who may be interested serving as a volunteer

•Refresher for active volunteers, especially those who have contact with guest families

•General information for those wishing to learn more about the Family Promise Interfaith Hospitality Program

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What is Family Promise?

• Interfaith Hospitality Network was founded in New Jersey in 1986 by Karen Olson to address the growing need to provide emergency sheltering, meals, and comprehensive assistance to homeless families to get them back on their feet…

• It started as a network with volunteers at the heart of it, actively involving faith communities in the needs of low income families, especially children.

• It migrated to additional communities over the years, expanded its family support programs and changed its name to Family Promise. The Interfaith Hospitality Network Program (IHN) is still the biggest operational component. There are over 174 affiliates in 48 states. There are six operating affiliates in the state of Florida.

• In 2012, Family Promise affiliates served nearly 50,000 children and adults and involved more than 140,000 volunteers in 5,000 congregations.

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Family Promise Programs

1. Interfaith Hospitality Network – A program to provide emergency sheltering, meals, and comprehensive assistance to homeless families to get them back on their feet.

2. Community Initiatives – Builds on the IHN model. Includes transitional housing, housing renovation, job training, health care services, parenting & childcare classes, literacy and a high school equivalency exam program.

3. Just Neighbors – An interactive educational curriculum that raises awareness of poverty and homelessness and their root causes.

4. Family Mentoring – A mentoring model that trains volunteers to advise and advocate for at-risk families.

5. Voices Uniting – Mobilizes clergy, volunteers, and former guests as advocates for public policies to alleviate poverty and help low income families.

6. For additional information on these programs visit www.familypromise.org

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FPGO: Family Promise of Greater Orlando•Inaugurated August 2000 with the first family being sheltered in

October 2001.

•Offices and Day Center at 2313 ½ N. Orange Avenue, Orlando near Florida Hospital•Board of Trustees with 12 members•Full time Executive Director: Mary Alice Fish•Full time professional Case manager: April Chestnut•Full time Manger of Volunteer Services: Jackie Ellis•Two part time van drivers : Oscar Ruiz and Sally Fry •FPGO annual budget: $185, 000 (2012)•Funding comes from a well diversified sources including private donations, church donations, private foundations, government contracts and annual fundraisers.•In-kind donations to the program typically exceed all money raised for guest services by 2x. •Comprised of 12 host congregations and 12 support congregations and over 600 volunteers•Together, these churches and their volunteers provide 7000 meals, 15000 hours of hospitality and 2400 nights of safe, clean, and stable nights of shelter for 18-22 homeless families each year.

For additional information visit www.familypromiseorlando.org

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Why choose Interfaith Hospitality Network

as a way to serve homeless families in your

community?

Why choose Interfaith Hospitality Network

as a way to serve homeless families in your

community?

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Factors about and Figures on Homeless Families

Nationally –•Families with children are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population: 34% - 40%•One out of four homeless people is a child.•1.5 million children experience homelessness each year.•28% of homeless families remain unsheltered.•Most homeless shelters require a marriage license for couples to stay. together. Many shelters do not take boys over 12 .

Locally – •Over 10,000 children in Central Florida were identified as homeless in 2011-12 in Orange, Seminole and Osceola Counties.•Florida was one of the hardest hit of states in foreclosure crisis of the last six years. •Florida ranks 46th in number of homeless children (50 = highest).•More than half of the children in homeless families are under the age of six.

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How Do Families End Up Homeless?Simple answer: The gap between housing cost

and financial resources becomes too large.

Absence of family support

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What Effect Does Homelessness Have on Children?

Homeless children are…• twice as likely to experience hunger,• twice as likely to have acute and chronic health problems,• twice as likely to repeat a grade in school, be expelled or

suspended, or drop out of high school.• only 25% likely to graduate from high school.• below average in math and reading proficiency.• more likely to experience emotional problems, including anxiety

and depression (50% for school-age, 20% for pre-school).• more likely within a given year to move (97%), to witness

violence (25%) and to be separated from their families (22%).

Families who have experienced homelessness have much higher rates of family separation than other low-income families.

Homelessness is also a barrier to reunification for some families. At least 30% of children in foster care could return home if their parents had access to housing

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Benefits of the Family Promise Interfaith Hospitality Network

Program For Our CommunityFor Guests

• Safe, homelike shelter where families can stay together• Personal care from volunteers• Professional case management• Secure long term housing

For Volunteers• Opportunity to help people directly• Opportunity to do outreach within one’s own or nearby congregation• Wide range of volunteer activities to choose from• Opportunity for family members to volunteer together

For Congregations• Opportunity for outreach within your own facility• Increased sense of community among members sharing in the effort

For Community• Cost efficient mobilization of resources• Avoids duplication of services by working with other social service

agencies• Avoids institutionalization of shelters as a solution to homelessness• A catalyst for other initiatives (job counseling, parenting workshops,

etc.)11

Guidelines for Hosting Families at Your

Church

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Family Promise of Greater OrlandoRed Binder Guidelines

Family Promise of Greater Orlando provides a Red Binder with policies, procedures and guidelines for each volunteer, host, and support church. Please review the information in the RED Binder. We ask that each volunteer make notes regarding your volunteer experience in the Red Binder.

•The Red Binder should contain all items listed in the Index, along with one set of keys (for the trailer), the cell phone and the cell phone charger. No other items should be placed in the Red Binder.

•If congregations have instructions or other material designated for their congregation, they should keep them in a separate folder.

•Each week, before the Red Binder is sent on to the next congregation, someone must check to see that all items are intact. The congregation receiving the Red Binder should check to make sure all items are intact.

•If anyone finds items missing they should notify the Network Director immediately.

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Family Promise of Greater Orlando Red Binder Contents

Red Binder Contents ………………… 1

Blank log Forms ……………………….. 2

Important Phone Numbers ……….. 3

Cell Phone Numbers …………………. 4

Staff, Board, and Coordinators ….. 5

Hosting Schedule ……………………… 6 Host and Support Church listing

Current Church Rotation Schedule

Family Profile ……………………......... 7

Policies and Procedures …………….. 8

Guidelines for Volunteers ………….. 9

Volunteer Job Descriptions

Opportunities to Volunteer Frequently Asked Questions Sign-up Sheets for Newsletters & Updates

Guests Guidelines and Agreement ….. 10

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IHN Guest Participation Agreement (key items, condensed)1. Program length: 30 days to start; plan reviewed weekly, renewed conditionally

up to 90. 2. Must seek housing, financial assistance, full time employment by 60 days, save

80%.3. Be ready to leave church by 7:30am; can stay at Day Center if sick or

unemployed.4. Parents must work on case plan; children must be enrolled in day care or

school (if closed, parents responsible for child care).5. Find alternate transportation to the host church if you miss the van.6. Guest transportation by volunteers must be approved by IHN staff; parents

must accompany children. Additional “ Guest Boundary” information included in packet

7. Don’t ask volunteers for money or material goods, or go to a volunteer’s home.8. No use of illicit drugs or alcohol, no weapons - results in immediate 9. No smoking inside, and only smoking in areas approved by the congregation. 10.Treat staff, volunteers and other guests with courtesy and respect.11.Responsible for care & supervision of children at all times; volunteers will not

babysit. 12.Must be at dinner on time or get pre-approval for absence/tardiness from Case

manager .13.Notify a volunteer if leaving and of planned return time (no later than 9pm).14.No absences (including overnight) or late arrivals without Case manager’s

authorization.15.Submit Saturday Day Form by Thursday 5:30pm (plans for staying at church).16.No guest visitors are allowed at any network facilities (host churches).17.Food & beverage kept and consumed only in host kitchen & dining areas.18.Help other guests in performing housecleaning chores.19.Observe daily hygiene regimen.20.Churches are not responsible for lost or stolen items.21.Give all medications to host volunteers for storage.22.IHN staff may make other overnight arrangements for guests with contagious

illness.23.Violations: Two written warnings, then behavior contract, then discharge.

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Typical Congregation Rules for IHN Guests reviewed first night with guest parents

• Abide by the FPGO Guest Participation Agreement.• You (or another parent, by agreement) are to be responsible for your children at

all times.• Don’t allow your children to be alone with volunteers.• Don’t allow your children to run or rough-house in the church.• Watch your toddler; churches are not “baby-proof”.• Respect the privacy of other guests; cooperate with them and volunteers.• Guests are to arrive at the congregations by 5:30pm unless other arrangements

have been made and ready to eat at 6pm.• If guest leaves they must notify a volunteer and advise them of their return

time; observe the 9 pm curfew.• Eat in dining rooms only.• Observe the kitchen rules set up by each congregation• Share in keeping common areas clean; keep bedrooms straight.• No loud TV; turn main TV off during dinner and off for the night by 9pm.• Children in rooms by 8:30pm, everybody by 9:00 pm.• Share use of washer & dryer and finish by 9pm.• No outside guests allowed at church. • No smoking in the church.• First aid supplies available. Note all exit doors and posted emergency phone

numbers.• Be ready to leave at 7:30am Monday-Friday ( or as scheduled) and by 8am on

Sunday.16

• IHN guests are in crisis. Some feel frustration, anger. Show compassion, not judgment.

• Don’t engage in criticism of the Family Promise IHN program with guests. All issues should be directed back to Family Promise staff. The families must deal with Family Promise.

• Lead a prayer at mealtime for all who wish to join, but avoid heavy religious discussion or debate as it could intimidate guests.

• In an emergency call 911, then the IHN Coordinator on call and then either April Chestnut or Mary Alice Fish (numbers in Family Promise information binder. There is a Family Promise IHN cell phone available..

• For significant incidents, call the Church Coordinator on call.

• For emergencies, significant incidents and lesser but important issues, log details in the Family Promise information binder and mention to a Church Coordinating Team member. It will then be discussed with Family Promise Staff

• A first aid kit is available at all churches. Volunteer hosts do not recommend or dispense medicines; adult guests must make their own decisions.

• Be familiar with FPGO’s Guest Participation Agreement and Guest Orientation & Rules list, especially parental responsibilities. It can be found in the Family Promise information binder

Guidelines for Volunteer Who Have Guest Contact

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Daily Routine (Mon-Fri) of a Typical Guest Family• Families get up, dressed, fed and are ready to go by 7:30am, earlier

depending on guest work and children's school schedule.

• 7:30 am -agency van arrives…and they’re off!

• Children are taken to school or day care.

• Parents head off to work, bus station, or Family Promise Day Center.

• Parents spend the day working, seeking work, or seeking housing.

• Afternoon - Family Promise van picks up children at school and from day care

• 5:00 pm - Family Promise van picks up parents, children at day center and transports them to church by 5:30

• Guests and volunteers gather and greet, and dinner is prepared.

• 6-7 pm -thanksgiving prayer is offered and dinner is served and cleaned up.

• 7-9 pm – this is family time. Guest and volunteers socialize, do homework, play, watch TV, do laundry and shower , ( if available at church) and prepare for next day.

• 9:00 pm - guests head off to their rooms and get ready for bed. 18

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Volunteer opportunities within the

Interfaith Hospitality Program at your

congregation.20

Volunteering for Family Promise’s IHN Program“Guest Contact” Volunteer Task -Required Orientation

•Provide a dinner or part of a dinner for 4 homeless families and 2 volunteer dinner servers (bring to church by 5:30pm).

• Serve a dinner (2 volunteers, 5:30pm – 8:30pm).

• Spend a night (2 volunteers; 8:30pm – 7:30am).

• Monitor Saturday activities (2 volunteers from 7:30am – 5:30pm in 2 - 3 hour shifts)

“Non-contact” Volunteer Tasks

• Work on “set up”– unload trailer containing guest luggage, and IHN beds. Prepare living spaces for families, (make beds, put out towels, etc)

• Work on “take down”- load trailer with guest luggage , IHN beds, clean up living areas. Pull together bedding and towels to be laundered

• Transport IHN trailer to next church (last day).

• Help do laundry (bedding & towels) after a host event. This is done at your home. Clean linens and towels are returned to church when done.

• Morning church check (daily, after guests leave)

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Serving Dinner (minimum: 2 volunteers)• Arrive by 5:00-5:30pm. • If you did not bring the meal, the verify meal has been delivered; be aware of

special food serving instructions and any cookware to be cleaned and returned. Some food may need to be heated, cut or sliced.

• As families arrive announce dinner time to guests, it is usually about 6pm.• Check that dinner tables are clean, set out all dinnerware, flatware, napkins.

Be sure there are enough chairs.• Set out beverages, including milk, tea or lemonade, ice. • Set out dressings and other condiments.• Most churches serve buffet style so arrange items on counters so that it is

accessible using a serving line. • Lead a short group prayer of thanks for those who wish to join.• Guests will serve themselves, but be prepared to assist.• Serve yourselves last and join the guests at their tables.• After dinner, initiate cleanup, but expect guests to help. If they take the lead,

let them.• Put leftover foods away, perhaps setting aside a dish for a late-arriving family.• Dirty dinnerware: Each church will have their own “kitchen rules”. Many

times this is posted in the kitchen for volunteers to see. • Many volunteers will have cookware to be returned: Best if it is cleaned,

labeled and put aside for later pickup.• This time is the BEST opportunity to engage with the guests. You are

encouraged to do so, but respect their privacy and give them space. • You will be relieved by the overnight crew at 8:30pm. 22

Evening Host (minimum: 2 volunteers)

• This Evening Host Shift begins at end of dinner until Overnight Host arrives (typically 7:30 – 9:30pm)

This shift is currently only available at the following hosting churches:

• St Margaret Mary Catholic Church• First United Methodist Church of Oviedo

• Your responsibilities for the evening are to provide hospitality and assistance to the families. When you arrive dinner / clean-up will be finished. Unless a family has arrived late.

• We encourage you to interact with the families, playing games and chatting. Curfew for children is 9:00pm and adults 10:00pm

• Before you leave at 9:30pm please check the kitchen and make sure that no food is left out, and straighten up the living area if needed. Feel free to ask the families to help.

• Be friendly, approachable, helpful to guests when asked, but not invasive. It is a period for family and personal time and preparation for the next day.

• The Overnight Hosts are expected at 9:30

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Staying Overnight (minimum: 2 volunteers)• Usually the volunteers arrives by 8:30pm,however this can vary a bit by

congregation. There will be a separate room and bedding for the overnight host.• Ask dinner servers for family status (e.g. late arriving guests who’ll need

feeding, or problems of any kind).• Before bedtime-

• Be friendly, approachable, helpful to guests when asked, but not invasive. It is a period for family and personal time and preparation for the next day.

• Finish kitchen cleanup (by this time, usually just a touchup).• Saturday night: Depending on the procedure for take down, most churches pass

out large plastic bags to use for packing up the used bedding and bath towels. Remind guests to fill them and leave the bags by the door of their rooms the next morning

• All parents and their children are required to be in their rooms by 9:00 pm on weekdays and 10:00 pm on Friday and Saturday nights. If there are working parents guests and hosts should be respectful of the noise so guests can sleep.

• Unaccompanied children are not allowed in kitchens or in common areas. An adult gues most accompany the children at all times.

• Quietness should prevail after 9:30 pm or so.• Next morning –

• Mon-Fri: Put out cereal, milk, juice, etc. Guests will get up, fix & eat breakfast and leave no later than 7:30am. This time maybe earlier based on families schedule. It will be listed on guest schedule at church.

• Sat: Guests may optionally stay at the church. You’ll be relieved by 8am.• Sun: Same as Mon-Fri, except guests will leave bags of dry bed & bath linen by

the front door and their packed belongings in their rooms . They’ll leave by 8:30am.

• Thanks!

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Saturday Hosting (minimum: 2 volunteers) Background: Guest families have the option of staying at the church for any part of Saturday between 7:30am and 5:30pm. They must notify FPGO’s case manager April Chestnut of their Saturday plans in writing (Re: Saturday Day Form) by Thursday evening. • Volunteers sign up for specific times or “shifts” (usually 2 or 3 hours max).

• Saturday daytime duty is “low-key”. Volunteers monitor activities; provide assistance if needed. Guest have been notified of proper behavior regarding their children during the day. Children are to be under the parents supervision all day.

• Since it is low key and quite, feel free to bring a book, laptop etc. to occupy your time.

• Saturday guests are on their own until dinner. They can use the kitchen (snacks, sandwiches), laundry facilities, ( if available) watch TV, stay in their rooms, go outside, etc.

• While guests are at the church, the Orientation & Rules for Family Promise Guests applies.

• While guests can come and go as they please, they are expected to follow the Saturday plan they submitted to Case manager.

• Guests must tell a volunteer if they temporarily leave the church (e.g. go to a store) and their estimated time of return (at least by 5:30pm).

• Saturday can be a good opportunity to engage in conversation with guests, but respect their privacy and their needs.

• When your shift replacement arrives, your job is done.

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Providing a Dinner Meal But Not Hosting• Prepare foods at home or buy take-out (food costs are part of your

contribution). Bring to the church by 5:30 pm.

• Provide kid-friendly meals.

• Coordinators will tell you in advance the number of guests (adults & children) to plan for. Include enough for two servers.

• Beverages and typical condiments are provided by the church.

• If possible have a hot meal or entrée. Usually limited warm-up capabilities can be provided in the church kitchen.

• Bring food in a container (disposable, if possible) If other food prep is required, let the servers know.

• You can sign up for all or part of a dinner (e.g. meat, vegetable, salad or dessert). You can “team up” with another volunteer.

• Label cookware items that you want returned. These can be picked up in the kitchen but you are responsible for coming for it in a timely manor.

• Leftovers may be saved a day or two and used for lunches or snacks.

• Guest contact time is minimal, but if opportunity presents you are encouraged to greet them as your guests. Remember - you are not a caterer; you are a host.

• Once you have delivered the meal, your task is done. Thanks!

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Volunteer TaskPurchase food supplies and snack used to supplement meals, Each church usually creates a list of foods to be purchased and donated by volunteers. The pantry items will vary by congregations

• Breakfast cereals, lunch foods, snacks, beverages ( juice and milk)

condiments, bread, cleaning supplies, household supplies (ziplock bags, foil, saran wrap etc.)

Participate in set up of the church facility on the Sunday the guest arrive. This is usually done in the afternoon, prior to the families arriving. This involves unloading the trailer, ( taking off the beds, and the families luggage). Guest rooms are then set up, including making the beds. Participate in break down of the guests living space on the Sunday the families leave. This is usually done in the morning right after the families leave. It entails breaking down the beds, loading the trailer with the beds and guest belongings, cleaning up rooms and the rest of the common area used by the families. Launder bedding & towels after a hosting week.Transport IHN trailer to next churchJoin and support the congregation IHN Coordinating Team Members

Other Volunteer Support Positions

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Volunteer Task

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

Provide all or part of a dinner meal

Serve a dinner meal(2 volunteers)

Stay overnight(2 volunteers)

Spend 2-3 hours on Saturday(2 volunteers)

Sample Signup Chart – May Differ For Each Church

Signups (2)

Signups (2)

Signups (2)

Signups (2)

Signups (2)

Signups (as req’d)

Signups(2)

Signups (2)

Signups(2)

Signups (2)

Signups (2)

Signups (2)

Signups (as req’d)

Signups (as req’d)

Signups (as req’d)

Signups (as req’d)

Signups (as req’d)

Signups (2)

Signups (2)

Signups usually begin 2-3 weeks before each hosting event. Many churches have sign up available online

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