Manassas Hope
Demonstrating the Warmth of Christ to the Homeless of Manassas During Extreme Cold
Supporting the Shelter
DONATION ITEMS NEEDED
Donations will be even more needed now due to the chances people without housing will be in the weather continuously through this season. A list of needs is below. If you are thinking about donations, please check with Jay Sharpe at 571-277-0728 or jay@mbcnova.org; he will let you know exactly what we need.
NEW: Men’s Socks and Travel-size shampoos.
Always needed: Always needed: Gloves, warm winter clothes, thermal underwear, bug repellents, Water, Socks, Men’s and Women’s underwear, Batteries: triple A, double A, and D’s.
All donation items are relevant. Although we may not be in the season to use what you wish to donate, donations are collected all year and will be distributed at the appropriate times.
NEW: Men’s Socks and Travel-size shampoos.
Always needed: Always needed: Gloves, warm winter clothes, thermal underwear, bug repellents, Water, Socks, Men’s and Women’s underwear, Batteries: triple A, double A, and D’s.
All donation items are relevant. Although we may not be in the season to use what you wish to donate, donations are collected all year and will be distributed at the appropriate times.
HELPING SUPERVISE & MENTOR
Volunteers are needed to help in the shelter. Volunteering occurs in shifts of at least four people. All volunteers must go through a short training session.
Typical time slots are as follows:
6:30 pm – 10:00 pm
10:00 pm – 6:30 pm
Typical time slots are as follows:
6:30 pm – 10:00 pm
10:00 pm – 6:30 pm
FOOD SERVICE VOLUNTEERS
The shelter uses SignUpGenius, Inc. to coordinate volunteer slots. Once you are added to the volunteer group, you will be invited to volunteer via this tool. We appreciate your sacrifice and your service to help our homeless friends. Jay Sharpe coordinates shelter volunteers and activities.
Volunteers who wish to serve as part of the Food Service (usually dinner and breakfast) would help with food preparation including snacks, meal preparation, serving and cleanup activities, and receiving meal donations. Once meals are finished at the shelter, the food volunteers are free to leave as directed by the food services coordinator and are not held to do shift times like shelter volunteers. Dinners are served shortly after our guests are registered and set up for the night. Breakfast is typically in a pre-made format that can be distributed by shelter volunteer personnel in the morning.
Volunteers who wish to serve as part of the Food Service (usually dinner and breakfast) would help with food preparation including snacks, meal preparation, serving and cleanup activities, and receiving meal donations. Once meals are finished at the shelter, the food volunteers are free to leave as directed by the food services coordinator and are not held to do shift times like shelter volunteers. Dinners are served shortly after our guests are registered and set up for the night. Breakfast is typically in a pre-made format that can be distributed by shelter volunteer personnel in the morning.
General Rules
Assumptions: We do not anticipate any serious altercations. However, it is important to be prepared and to stay aware of what is happening around you.
- All volunteers should know how many clients are in the shelter during their shift and be made aware of persons of interest.
- Access to the shelter is through back designated doors only.
- No board games allowed after lights out.
- Electronics only with headphones.
- Men and women sleep in the main area.
- Any issues and/or altercations are to be addressed by the team lead; however, all volunteers should be aware and ready to assist.
- If a request is made, a volunteer should provide it to the requester; the requester is not to get it themself. See the team lead with any questions.
- It is important to understand the general signs of drug (???) withdrawal: mood swings, anxiety, loud behavior, and being easily agitated.
Safety Rules
- A coordinated entry system provides transportation. There is a bus stop in front of the church, and sometimes the police will drop off clients. Most will walk to the shelter.
- NO alcohol/drugs/weapons and/or threats will be tolerated. If a person is suspected of consuming alcohol and/or drugs, they may be subject to search and/or asked to leave the shelter.
- Weapons of any kind must be checked in with the team leader and returned upon leaving the shelter.
- Clients must respect one another, their property, and their space. No foul language or loud behavior is tolerated.
- Smoking will be done outside the main shelter entrance where there is a container for cigarette butts. Clients may not go beyond the end of the building. Once in the shelter, no one will leave the shelter without being accompanied by a volunteer.
- No visitors are allowed who are not spending the night.
- If a client leaves the premises, they will not be allowed to return that same night.
- Respect the shelter. This is a service to you and for you; all volunteers are here to help you. BE NICE!!!!
- Do not argue with the volunteers; respect them. They are here to help you.
Breaking the rules may result in asking you to leave the shelter or having the police remove you.
A sign for the shelter will be placed outside the front door of the building to guide people to the shelter entrance. Clients are not allowed beyond the steel hallway gate inside the building. Leaving or wandering outside designated areas can result in expulsion from the shelter.
Volunteer Roles
Team lead
- General all-hands meeting to start. Prayer before dinner is served.
- Will delegate position assignments.
- The shift leader will field any questions.
- Will document any issues, altercations, or disturbances in the log and notify by phone if necessary (Jay Sharp 571-277-0728.).
- The shift leader will be the point person to handle any issues, altercations, and disturbances and determine if the police need to be called.
- Will determine early release of volunteers as dictated by need.
- If a person is found unconscious, call 911.
Greeters
Two will be assigned to the door for bag and container inspection. One will greet and log clients in as they enter, taking notice of the general condition of the clients. Do they smell marijuana or alcohol? Is the client staggering or swaying?
Shower Attendents
One Male and One Female. All clients wishing to use the shower facility must clean up after each use. A volunteer will ensure all items are picked up, and the shower is ready for the next client.
Food
- Prepare coffee & drink section.
- Dinner should be delivered hot around 6:30 p.m.; food for breakfast will be delivered around 5:00 a.m.
- Check if the microwave is clean; prepare the designated area for distribution.
- Check trash receptacles and have clean-up items ready.
General Set-up Monitors
- Make sure all designated areas are unlocked.
- Monitor and/or help in cot set up and take down.
- Ready TV and DVD player.
- See that shower towels and cleaning products are prepared.
Shelter Observation
All volunteers are asked throughout their shift to please be on the lookout for trash, the smell of marijuana, alcohol, or weapons of any kind, and potential tension between individuals. If you notice any of these signs, please bring it to the lead's attention. Any issues, altercations, or disturbances need to be reported to the Team lead.