Volunteer Opportunities

Current Needs

Casework Associate:

Support homeless individuals and others in need as they take steps towards life improvement and self-sufficiency in our unique Next Step program.  Work will be in one or more of the following areas on an as-needed basis:

• Supporting/Assisting Program Participants with:

•   Completing on-line job applications;

•   Completing applications for food stamps and other benefits;

•   Setting up and using free email accounts;

•   Using computers/Internet for things like job search;

•   Writing basic cover letters, sending faxes, attaching resumes to emails, etc.;

•   Editing/updating resumes;

• Serving as back-up Front Office Coordinator as needed

• Entering participant information (e.g. registration forms) into the casework database

• Assisting casework staff with other routine duties such as making copies of forms, sorting/organizing donations and office cleaning tasks

Opportunities in all Samaritan Ministry offices     

Working hours:  One day per week from 8:45 am – 1:00 pm  

 

Front Office Coordinator

Front Office Coordinators are charged with a responsibility that has a lasting impact on the success of Samaritan Ministry: making a good first impression. FOC's are often the first representatives of an organization that a visitor may encounter, so good interpersonal skills-being courteous, professional, and helpful-are critical. Samaritan Ministry's FOC's answer telephones, route and screen calls, greet visitors, respond to inquiries from the public, and provide information about the organization. Our Front Office Coordinators are responsible for the sorting of in-house mail. Most importantly, the FOC puts new participants at ease and with a caseworker's guidance, schedules returning participants with necessary services.

 

Round-up Dinner Volunteers

Volunteer to provide a simple meal and to enjoy fellowship and provide loving support to people living with HIV/AIDS. Participants in our quarterly HIV/AIDS spiritual retreats reunite each month to share a meal and fellowship with one another. 

Third Tuesday of each month at N Street Village.

Contact Catherine Rodman at crodman@samaritanministry.org

 

Development Office Intern

The development/fundraising department is looking for a volunteer to help research new foundations and opportunities, write proposals, track and organize grant deadlines, file, and help with other administrative projects as needed. Days and times are flexible.

 

Resume Writer

A job candidate working in conjunction with one of Samaritan Ministry's Resume Writers has a distinct advantage in the job market. Program participants benefit in countless ways from an in-depth discussion that reviews their past employment, explores their potential and provides targeted advice on attacking the job search. Samaritan Ministry Resume Writers help participants:

1. create professional resumes
2. write cover letters
3. conduct targeted job searches

Arlington Office- by appointment- am
SE Office- Friday and Tuesday- am

 

Outreach Volunteer

Help spread the word about Samaritan Ministry to potential program participants. Outreach volunteers will be trained to visit local off-site residential and other programs as needed (one to two times per month) and share information about Samaritan Ministry and the Next Step Program. You will gain an understanding of the circumstances and conditions leading to homelessness and unemployment and help encourage people to join Samaritan Ministry's Next Step Program. Outreach volunteers can schedule visits for evenings and weekends making this opportunity ideal for those who work during business hours. Requires a one-half day training session.

 

Internship opportunities:

Casework intern - usually a summer or year-long volunteer position

Development Office intern

Communications intern

 

“On-call” Volunteers

Samaritan Ministry needs volunteers to fill in when the regularly scheduled volunteer cancels in all three offices.

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Through the tremendous support of numerous volunteers, Samaritan Ministry is able to help many more people every day than it would otherwise. In fact, nearly 75% of Samaritan Ministry's staff are regular full or part-time unpaid volunteers that donate more than half of the total volunteer hours annually. They help those facing poverty overcome the challenges they face each day, serving as caseworkers, workshop leaders, resume writers, front office coordinators and in a variety of other important roles.

Other volunteers are engaged in such projects as:
Collecting donated clothing, food and toiletry items.
Fund Raising

 

 

 

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Front Office Coordinator -  Meet and greet participants as they sign in and wait to meet with caseworkers. Assist new participants in filling out applications as needed. Answer phones and direct calls. We are in need at all three locations: NW, SE and Arlington offices.  Once a week from 9am-1pm.

 

 

 

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Clerical Volunteer - Looking for a volunteer to provide help with administrative and clerical tasks including mailings, filing, and data entry.  Flexible days and hours are possible. 

 

 

 

 

 

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HIV/AIDS Round-up Meeting

Volunteer groups are needed to provide a simple meal once a month for the HIV/AIDS Round-up meeting.  These support group meetings are once a month. 

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Ongoing Opportunities:

Front Office Coordinator
Resume Writer
Employment Workshop Leader
Food Pantry Stocker
Run a food/clothing drive at your parish
Walk in the Walkathon (every November)
Donate auction items in the Spring
Collect Christmas presents for our Participants

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Groups of Volunteers:

Organize the Food Pantry and/or Clothing Closet
Yard work/gardening and/or clean-up the office
Painting Project

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Urban Experience:

Saturday workshop for teens - scavenger hunt, discussion, lunch program.

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Professional Skills:

Computer Work
Database
Fundraising
Communications and Public Relations

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If would like to get involved in these or other ways, please contact Gayle Butzgy, SMGW’s Director of Volunteers and Communications, at (202) 722-2280 or gbutzgy@samaritanministry.org.