If you are interested in any of these volunteer opportunities, please contact:
Portia Chiarella, Community Relations Manager
Tel:(585) 436-7100 x117
Email:portia_sojourner@yahoo.com
 

Sojourner House Volunteer Opportunities
Henrietta Hammond Institute for Life Skills (HHILS) Program:
We are looking for volunteers to teach new elective classes. Classes are once a week,
Monday – Friday, between 3 – 5 PM, and are typically one hour. Elective sessions last 4 weeks. Here are a few ideas Sojourner House women have expressed interest in:
Crafting (scrap booking, jewelry making), Exercise/Fitness (strength training, pilates, yoga, power walking, stepping), Creative Art and Writing (painting, drawing, poetry). We are also open to suggestions and new ideas!
Study Buddy Program:
Volunteers are needed for one-on-one tutoring and mentoring for school aged children grades K – 12. Volunteers commit to one night per week for at least an entire semester, preferably for the entire school year. Sessions take place from 6:00-7:15 PM at Sojourner House, or one of its affiliated complexes, Monica Place, Nancy Watson Dean Place, or Anthony Square. Interested volunteers are assigned a location and paired with a child in September and again in January of each year. Minimum age requirement is 18 years or high school graduate.
In-House Children’s Program:
We need volunteers who are willing to commit to one weeknight, Monday - Thursday (and occasionally on Friday) at Sojourner House, from 7:00-8:30 PM to participate in the children’s program. This position involves working with the Activity Coordinator to plan and/or execute the evening’s activities. Minimum age requirement is 16 years unless accompanied by an adult.
Receptionist:
Occasional volunteer is needed to answer phones and doors, on-call basis to cover receptionist absence, illness and vacation.
Kitchen Assistant:
Assist with food preparation, serving meals, stock and supply organization and occasional special event food preparation; hours may be scheduled Monday through Friday between the hours of 1:00pm and 5:30pm.
Throughout the year we have events that require several volunteers at one time. Responsibilities for each event require assistance in set-up and clean up, food preparation and service, and children’s activities. Listed below are the programs and time of year they take place:
  Dreamseeds Celebration: This is a performance and picnic for our arts and cultural children’s program. This event takes place in May or June each year.
  Graduation Picnic: We hold this program to celebrate the achievements of our former-residents and their children. This event also takes place in June of every year.
  Back to School Picnic: We hold this event to celebrate a return to learning before the start of the school year. At this event we give each child a backpack full of supplies. This event takes place in August of every year.
  Holiday Party for our former residents and families: This event is held to celebrate the holidays with our former residents and their children. At this event we provide each family with holiday gifts. This event takes place in December of every year.
  Holiday Party for our current residents: This event is held to celebrate the holidays and to give gifts to the women and children that are currently residing at Sojourner House. This event takes place in December of every year.


We welcome your creative fundraising efforts to help support Sojourner House! We are grateful for cash donations from proceeds of your book sales, bake sales, car washes, etc.! Please let us know if you would be interested in selling our Dreamseeds Notecards and/or our “Possibili-ties: Wisdom from the Women of Sojourner House” book for us.

We also maintain an e-mail list of volunteers who wish to be informed as our needs arise. On occasion we need assistance with mailings or last minute “odd job” requests. If you would like to be added to this list, please e-mail Portia Chiarella, Community Relations Manager at portia_sojourner@yahoo.com