
		101 S. Huron Ypsilanti, MI 48197 phone: 734 485 8730 fax: 734 485 8739 your@email.address

How Can I Help?

How Can I Get
Others to Help?

	Quick Facts
	Contact: Heather Messina Interim Volunteer Recruitment Specialist Address: 101 South Huron Ypsilanti, MI 48197 Phone: 734.961.1210 Fax: 734.485.8739 Email: volunteer@soscs.org

Make a Difference: Volunteer!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES BELOW:

FOOD DISTRIBUTION COUNSELOR: Our emergency food program prevents homelessness because families and individuals who receive free emergency food from SOS can use their scarce financial resources to pay for other necessities such as rent and utilities. Every person who requests emergency food receives and empathic assessment and information about resources to meet any other emergency needs they could be experiencing. This program requires a 32 hour training program. (Click here to see the calendar.) Food program volunteers will:

Perform intakes and assessments to identify and meet the food and other emergency needs of consumers.
Bag and take food to consumers.
Stock the kitchen and basement food pantry shelves.
Tear down boxes.
Clean up kitchen after food hours.

Orientation Dates:
Location: SOS Huron Street Offices (101 S. Huron St., Ypsilanti, MI)

HOUSING CRISIS COUNSELOR: Families and individuals facing eviction can avoid homelessness through the homeless prevention services offered by the SOS Housing Crisis Center. We offer free housing crisis intervention and support in a caring, non-judgmental, and culturally sensitive environment. Assistance includes rent and utility funds, bus tokens, shelter location, housing relocation, emergency food, and personal care items. We attempt to provide the maximum assistance possible based on our available resources and funding. This program requires a 32 hour training program. (Click here to see the calendar.)
Volunteers:

Perform intakes and assessments for housing crisis consumers.
Help consumers complete the process to receive financial aid for housing relocation, eviction prevention and/or utilities assistance.
Provide resource and referral information for families and individuals in need of immediate crisis assistance.
Advocate with other agencies on behalf of consumers.
Make copies, file, complete phone intakes, and return consumer calls.

Orientation Dates:
Location: SOS Huron Street Offices (101 S. Huron St., Ypsilanti, MI)

AFTER-SCHOOL TUTORING:Because homeless children can only endure so much disruption in their daily lives, SOS offers an after-school program that addresses their needs in a stable and nurturing environment. School-aged children and youth are paired with a community volunteer for one-on-one academic assistance.
Volunteers:

Provide 60-minute tutoring/mentoring sessions with identified students.
Help students complete homework and other assigned tasks.
Support students in improving literacy skills.
Provide positive role modeling for the students.
Develop positive one-to-one relationships with students.
Provide transportation assistance (van rider) as needed.
Volunteers will commit to attend all sessions.

TELLING IT - ELEMENTARY SCHOOL:Telling It uses different forms of art (e.g. painting, storytelling, music, poetry) to help homeless, elementary school children improve their literacy skills and learn how to use art as a means of creative self-expression. This program will be on Tuesdays from 4:00 pm-5:45 pm at the Riverside Arts Center.

Set up and assist children with arts activities.
Work one-on-one with children to improve their writing.
Help maintain a low child-to-adult ratio so that children receive sufficient one-on-one attention.

Provide positive role modeling for the students.
Develop positive one-to-one relationships with students.
Provide transportation assistance (van rider) as needed.

GIRL SCOUTS:This program is for girls in grades 1-5. We need mentors to help facilitate this group. It will meet on Wednesdays from 4:00 pm-5:30 pm.

ADOPT-A-MONTH: SOS kicks-off its Adopt-a-Month Program -- volunteers can support one of the designated focus areas (food, personal care and baby items) for one month during the year. For more information, contact Mimi Weisberg, Volunteer Recruitment Specialist at 734.961.1210 or email volunteer@soscs.org.

TIME FOR TOTS CHILD CARE VOLUNTEERS: Implement and facilitate children's activities and supply nurturing and emotional support to homeless children at our Time for Tots day-care center.

A recent (within a year) TB test is needed.

Location: Ann Arbor, within walking distance of UM's central campus.
Shifts: 2 - 3 hours per week, during regular hours of operation: Monday - Thursday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Training: One 1-hour interview/orientation and one 2-hour training session. Must complete a police background check and show proof of recent negative TB test. Date for training is May 29 from 5:30pm - 7pm. Call Mimi for location.
Commitment: 2 - 3 hours per week for a minimum of 4 months post-training.

TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANTS: Help ensure a smooth ride by assisting in transport of young homeless children to/from Time for Tots child care facility in Ann Arbor. Assist the driver by helping to buckle in kids, soothe or feed babies, or whatever is needed for safe, comfortable ride. We have shifts Monday-Thursday. The morning shift begins at 7:45 and ends at 9:30 am. The afternoon shift begins at 4:30 pm and ends at 6:00 pm. The beginning and ending of the route is in Ann Arbor, MI. Pick one day, one shift; pick 2 days, 2 shifts - whatever works for you!!!!!!

SPECIAL EVENTS VOLUNTEERS: Work with staff to plan, organize, and run special events. Assist with publicity, participant recruitment, soliciting sponsorships & donations, decoration & set-up, registration, food, clean-up, etc. Help make events fun for participants while helping us bring in the funds necessary to support our services.

Location and Shifts: Variable.
Training: Provided as needed.
Commitment: Variable.

FUND-RAISING DRIVE VOLUNTEERS: Work on your own or with others to plan, organize, and implement a fund-raising drive. Help collect monetary donations to support SOS services for homeless families and children.

Location and Shifts: Variable.
Training: No experience is necessary. Great opportunity for children and adults. Contact Chelsea Clark, at 734.484.9900 or chelseac@soscs.org for a brief orientation on SOS donation procedures. Staff is available to help you think through your fund-raising goals and strategies and support your efforts.
Commitment: Self-defined.

OFFICE VOLUNTEERS: Help out regularly or from time to time with office work. Filing, faxing, inventorying and organizing supplies, shredding and other administrative tasks as they might arise.

Location and Shifts: Variable.
Training: Previous office work experience helpful, but not necessary. Orientation and training provided by staff on project to project basis.
Commitment: Variable, though regular help is needed.

CONTACT US WITH YOUR IDEAS: If you have skills or abilities other than those listed above that you'd like to contribute, please contact us. Contact Heather at 734.961.1210 or volunteer@soscs.org to talk about your ideas.