Homeless Youth Volunteer with University District Youth Center (UDYC)
The UDYC serves homeless, foster-care, and disenfranchised youth between the ages of 13-22 through the Drop-In Center, Inter-Agency School, Case Management, Substance Abuse, Wrap-Around and Mental Health services. The Drop-In Center is the main focus of the UDYC and is open Monday through Thursday from 1:15 to 3:45pm. Youth are served a meal, able to use the shower and laundry facilities, receive clothing donations, engage in activities, and form positive relationships with the UDYC staff members and volunteers. Volunteers are a vital part of the UDYC Drop-In Center and allow the youth to experience support and care from community members.
Volunteers will spend most of their time working directly with the youth and the part of their time assisting staff during drop-in hours. Direct-service includes playing games, helping with homework, or simply acting as a positive role model. Other tasks include serving food, assisting with clothing donations, and helping with the general up-keep of the Drop-In center. However, the most important role is helping to create a safe and positive atmosphere for youth.
Volunteers can expect to learn about street-life and homeless culture, how a non-profit organization operates, and how to interact with youth. The UDYC’s Drop-In center respects and encourages cultural differences and strives to be accessible to all youth. Therefore the Drop-In center will fluctuate and the work environment is both calm and energetic.
The UDYC truly values its volunteers and relies on community support to fill the needs of our youth and assist with the daily operations of the Drop-In center. Service-learning volunteers also are fantastic role models to our youth and allow the youth to experience support and care from community members.
Drop-In Floor Volunteers must be at least 20 years of age, able to pass a criminal background check, and must make a consistent commitment of 1 day a week (current openings are on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) from 1:00 to 4:00 for at least 6 months. Drop-In Floor Volunteers are also required to complete a volunteer application, attend a UDYC orientation, and attend the Ropes: Understanding and Engaging Youth Homelessness training provided by the University District Service Providers Alliance.
Those interested in this position should contact Christopher Hanson at christopherH@ccsww.org or (206) 526-2992 x 24.
