Volunteer Opportunities
Current Needs - Fall, 2008
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
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. Friday - SE Office
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 a
crodman@samaritanministry.org
Development Office Intern
Weekend Meal
Program Volunteer
- Samaritan Ministry
of Greater Washington (SMGW) is seeking new weekend and
lunchtime Meal Program Volunteers to get to know guests at area
meal programs, share information about SMGW’s Next Step program
and encourage those who are ready to meet with a caseworker at
one of SMGW’s three locations in the Washington area.
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.
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.
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
Volunteers will work at breakfast, lunch or dinner programs
(often located at area churches) and will serve as the liaison
between the meal program and SMGW. Volunteers will receive
specialized training, will work four hours one day per month and
must have good interpersonal skills and a desire to work with
individuals who homeless, hungry and poor. 
Participant Casework
Participant Resume Writing
Collecting donated clothing, food and toiletry items.
Fund Raising
Front Office Coordinators

Administrative/
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.

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.
Weekly Positions:
Front Office Coordinator
Resume Writer
Employment Workshop Leader
Food Pantry Stocker

Ongoing Opportunities:
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

Groups of Volunteers:
Organize the Food Pantry and/or Clothing Closet

Yard work/gardening and/or clean-up the office
Painting Project
Urban Experience:
Saturday workshop for teens - scavenger hunt, discussion, lunch program.
Professional Skills:
Computer Work
Database
Fundraising
Communications and Public Relations
If would like to get involved in these or other ways, please contact Dianne Lewis, SMGW’s Director of Volunteers and Communications, at (202) 722-2280 or dlewis@samaritanministry.org.
Did You Know?
Cultivating concern for others and extending help to them is at the core of Samaritan Ministry's mission. To help us accomplish this, our volunteer corps donates over 16,000 hours of voluntary service. These are just a few of their roles:
· Front Office Coordinator
Weekend Meal Program Volunteer
· Development Office Intern
· Caseworker Intern
· Computer Lab Specialist
· Caseworker
· Resume Writer
Job Skills Workshop Leader
· HIV/AIDS Retreat Team Member
· Partner Parish Representative
· Food Drive Coordinator