Summer Service Opportunities in the University District
Overnight or Evening Shift Volunteer at ROOTS Young Adult Shelters
http://www.Rootsinfo.org
Volunteers will come to ROOTS from 8 pm-10:45 pm, helping set up the mats and blankets, then assist our arriving guests in accessing the services we offer: hot food, showers, hygiene supplies, case management and consultation with our on-site social worker. Volunteers may also interact directly with guests by playing games, doing art, and engaging in friendly conversation.
Evening Volunteers at ROOTS commit to the same day each week for the duration of the quarter. You are also required to take our free conflict de-escalation course, which is held at our site twice a month. The most important requirement, however, is that you be a caring individual who is concerned about the plight of homelessness.
We hope that students will see that our young adult guests are not too different from them, and that not everyone has the same opportunities and advantages in life. We hope that students will gain a greater understanding of the homeless population in their community and feel that they are helping to make a positive change. Most of all, we hope that students’ experiences at ROOTS will help to break down stereotypes and misconceptions about Seattle’s homeless population, particularly within the University District.
THIS POSITION REQUIRES A BACKGROUND CHECK VOLUNTEERS MUST BE 18 YEARS OLD FOR THIS POSITION
Rising Out Of The Shadows (ROOTS)
volunteer@rootsinfo.org
(206) 632-1635
1415 NE 43rd St.
Seattle, Washington 98105
The shelter is located in the basement of the University Temple United Methodist Church at 1415 NE 43rd Street (NE 43rd St. at 15th Ave. NE, across from UW campus). From I-5: Take NE 45th St. exit (#169). Go east on 45th St. (right from I-5 N, left from I-5 S) for about half a mile. Turn right at 15th Ave. NE. Drive two blocks and turn right onto NE 42nd St. There is free parking on 15th after 6:00pm. Walk towards the Café Allegro and take a right up the alley. To your right, you will see a set of concrete steps leading up to two blue metal double doors. You're there!
Volunteer Shift: Sunday through Saturday evening from 8:00 PM to 8AM
Teen Feed Advocate at TeenFeed
http://www.teenfeed.org
Teen Feed is a dinner program for homeless and street-involved youth. We serve dinner Sunday through Thursday. The heart of our program is having Advocates available to interact with the youth. This person commits to a minimum of six months to show up once a week to Teen Feed and sit and talk to the guests.
The goal is to get to know them, create a safe and welcoming presence, and be available to help the young people know about local services while modeling and helping enforce appropriate behavior. Advocates also assist the Teen Feed Coordinator in set up and clean up each night as well.
We interview each potential advocate after they have visited Teen Feed once. We seek those over 21, who show themselves comfortable interacting with youth who don’t typically trust adults. Strong advocates are self-confident, compassionate, thoughtful listeners who genuinely enjoy spending time getting to know young people.
Responsibilities: To be consistently present and accessible to the youth. To be open and approachable, interested in getting to know the youth, hear their concerns, value their thoughts while enforcing Teen Feed policies. To be non-judgmental and open-minded. Accept them at face value. Encourage the solutions
or progress they have made. Demonstrate that you care. Be an attentive listener and be proactive in meeting their requests of you.
Contact Alexis at teenfeedalexis@gmail.com
Teen Feed operates out of several U-District churches each week. All within walking distance of campus. Contact the Teen Feed coordinator for directions to your service learning site.
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Teen Feed is open five nights a week, Sunday through Thursday. Consistency is important, so please consider your school work and other obligations in choosing the day of the week (your day of choice may change at the end of the quarter).
Minimum of 21 years of age.
We request a 6 month commitment
Drop-In Floor Volunteer at University District Youth Center (UDYC)
http://www.ccsww.org
The drop-in floor at the University District Youth Center (UDYC) provides a safe place for homeless, at-risk, and run-away youth to get off the streets. During the afternoon, youth (ages 13-22) come to the center for lunch, showers, clothing, and case management. Volunteer help staff with the basic tasks necessary to run drop-in and provide youth with positive adult role models. A typical day might include serving food, managing the front door, playing board games, and hanging out with the youth.
This position is a great opportunity for those seeking direct contact with “street” and/or at-risk youth. This position is recommended for those with good communication skills, flexibility in a busy work environment, and willingness to work directly with homeless youth.
University District Youth Center
4516 15th Ave. NE
Seattle, Washington 98105
UDYC is a big old yellow house located on the corner of 15th Ave. and 45th St., across from the UW's Burke Museum. If you are coming UW’s North Entrance, take the 45th St. one block west. 100 ft. before 15th Ave, take a right up an alleyway. Our yellow building and small parking lot will be on your left.
Brynn Fitzer,
Youth Worker
(206) 526-2992 x 27
BrynnF@ccsww.org
Monday through Thursday from 12:45 PM to 4:00 PM
Volunteers must be at least 20 years old.
Volunteers MUST ATTEND one of the following UDSPA Homelessness 101 Classes: For more information, go to udsp.org
Homeless Youth Volunteer at University Family Y.M.C.A.
http://www.seattleymca.org/page.cfm?ID=uvPrograms&locationID=19&catId=32
The University Family YMCA operates a basic needs program every Saturday and Sunday for homeless youth, ages 13 to 25, in the University District. The program provides a meal and allows homeless youth a chance to shower, relax, receive basic items like clothing, and educational programming about resources.
Volunteers interact and build relationships with homeless youth, set-up/clean-up drop-in areas, help supervise/participate in activities, help supervise sign-in and dining area, hand out hygiene items and towels, enforce program rules as needed and perform regular checks of the program area and locker rooms.
Trainings: Volunteer Orientation, Homelessness 101
*Completion of Volunteer application and background check required
Emily Bandy
ebandy@seattleymca.org
(206) 524-1400
Times
· Saturday from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
· Sunday from 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Directions:
University Family YMCA is located at 5003 12th Ave. NE on the corner of 12th and 50th.
Walk west on 45th or 50th st.
Turn right onto 12th Ave.
YMCA is on your Left.
