ROOF Agency

General Requirements

ROOF values its volunteers. They are remarkable people who give selflessly because they believe that “one youth on the streets is one too many”. ROOF does not require volunteers to have specific experience in dealing with street youth and street issues. We are looking for individuals who believe in the power of a caring community, who can accept differences and who live up to their commitments.

Volunteers must be able to be a support and/or role model to youth through action, words, and behaviour; maintain a professional relationship with youth; commit for a minimum of 8 months (if volunteering at drop-in); participate in a minimum of one shift per week; and attend training sessions.

Shifts

Daytime
Tuesday - Friday 12:30pm - 5:30pm
-Essential services - food hampers, laundry and housing assistance

Evening
Monday - Friday 6pm - 10:30pm
-Drop-in, meal, crisis support, recreation

Weekend
Saturday/Sunday 1pm - 7:30pm
-drop-in, meal, crisis support, recreation

What ROOF has to Offer You

Volunteers are the back bone of ROOF and supporting our volunteers is integral to our relationships. We are happy to be able to provide the following:

Training:
Standardized training (mandatory for all Frontline Volunteers before first shift); Internal Training (offered during shifts from shift supervisors as well as half-day topical trainings offered approximately once every two months); and External Training (eg. Suicide Intervention Training, Addictions support training).
Support:
A briefing session is held with your team and shift supervisor before each shift in order to inform volunteers of any client issues or updates. A debriefing session is also held at the end of each shift where volunteers may share feedback and address any issues of concern. You can contact staff at any time if you feel you need feedback or have any questions or concerns.
Opportunities:
To Learn- about our youth, their struggles and their reality, about yourself, your strengths, your abilities and your impact on others.
To Grow- in awareness, understanding and ability to give of yourself.
To Help- young people begin to feel good about themselves and inspire them to create a positive future.
To Mentor- street youth through positive role modelling.
To Make a difference in young lives!

ROOF Application Criteria

Provide a copy of an updated resume and cover letter

Provide 2 references (at least one from an employer or volunteer experience)

Provide a ROOF Volunteer Application Form (found in the ROOF Information Package at the bottom of this page)

Set an interview with ROOF Staff- to determine if the job role suits YOUR needs and if you match the agency’s needs

Volunteers cannot have been an active ROOF client for at least one full year

After the interview

A signed Volunteer Code of Ethics

A police records check

Attendance at the Orientation and Standardized training Sessions

The Expectation is that volunteers will phone well in advance if they are going to be late for your shift or absent; attempt to find a replacement

Those interested in volunteering with ROOF should read through the Volunteer Information Package carefully. If you believe that you are a good match for ROOF, fill out the ROOF Volunteer Application Form and contact our Program/Volunteer Coordinator at 519-742-2788 x203 or email prgmgr@roof-agency.net to set up an interview.

click here to download Volunteer Info Package

Filed under: Volunteer on March 26th, 2007 | Comments Off

Filed under: Events on March 26th, 2007 | Comments Off

ROOF programing is two-fold: Outreach and Drop-in.

Our outreach workers are on the streets, daily, meeting with homeless youth, building rapport, providing for their basic needs, and offering linkages and resources that will enable them to make the necessary choices/decisions to break the cycle of homelessness.

Programming at Drop-In includes 1-1 counseling, anger management, food hampers, hot meals, access to laundry and showers, therapeutic craft/art sessions, life skills training, basic personal support, recreation and special events, substance abuse and prevention programming, advocacy, and referral support.

For more information about programming, please contact our Program/Volunteer Manager at 519-742-2788 x203

Filed under: Programs on March 26th, 2007 | Comments Off