Administrative Assistance

It is amazing the amount of work that is produced while serving others in need!

• Clerical work, data entry, filing.

Adopt-a-meal

This is a way to make a major impact- this helps the kitchen staff and their budget tremendously.

• Groups purchase food and prepare and serve a meal in the kitchen. The whole process is guided by our kitchen manager, who helps you choose the menu and buy the right stuff.
• Adopt-a-meals can be done Monday through Saturday at noon for lunch and/or 5:00 pm for dinner; Sunday at 1 p.m. for lunch and/or 6 p.m. for dinner. It is most helpful on weekends as it allows the kitchen staff to have a day off on the weekend. Major holidays (and days surrounding) also present great opportunity and need for adopt-a-meals.

Advocate

• Look for opportunities to encourage businesses and groups to do food drives, toiletry drives, coat drives, etc. for Home Sweet Home.
• Recruit new volunteers or donors.
• Capitalize on regular opportunities to educate people within your circle of influence about HSHM.

Auto Resale Prep

Vehicle resale has the potential to be a significant revenue source for HSHM, thus providing more resources to help our clients. You can help in this area through:

• Exterior wash and interior cleaning.
• Light mechanical work.
• Be a Negotiator – ensure we make the best sale possible.

Childcare

Childcare is needed at various times throughout the week to allow for clients to apply for jobs and attend classes. Some regular slots include:

• Weekday evenings from 6-7:30
• Tuesday afternoons from 2-4
• Friday mornings

Client Programming

Drives

Engage your co-workers, small group, friends, and family to host a drive to benefit HSHM.

• Types of drives that can benefit us include: Canned food drives, toiletry drives, linens drives, supplies such as cleaning products, air fresheners, etc., school supplies, shoes, coats and Christmas presents.
• Help distribute food boxes to the needy. Greeting families and carrying boxes to their cars is a great ministry. Food boxes are distributed three days per week- M, W, F 1-3 pm.

Errand Drivers

• Drive 8-12 men participating in the Threshold Program to Wal-Mart on Friday afternoons
• Pick up donated goods
• Grocery shop at local stores on Wednesdays

Events

Want to organize or participate in an event that will encourage and entertain our clients? Upcoming events include:

• Annual Art Show
• Carnivals for children and adults
• Lead weekly worship services
• Recreation- movie night, game night, fun activities for clients and kids.

Facilitate Classes

Integral to life transformation is awareness and education. Classes (broad topics listed below) are offered weekday mornings, afternoons, and evenings.

• Life Skills
• Social Skill Development
• Vocational Development
• Recovery
• Book Club

Holiday Meal Delivery

HSHM, with the help of many volunteers, delivers and serves hot meals to people who are shut in or hungry in the Bloomington, Normal and surrounding areas.  Volunteers work for a couple of hours between 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

• Assemble meals and utensils in delivery boxes
• Food Preparation
• Deliver meals
• Set up and/or Tear down
• Serve 12:30 meal at Billy Shelper Center to homeless and hungry clients

Kitchen work

We served over 65,000 meals from our kitchen last year and expect the numbers to be higher this year.  Kitchen help is needed every day of the week in the mornings and afternoons.

• Basic food preparation
• Cooking meals
• Grocery pick up from local stores

Maintenance

• Monthly deep cleaning of shelter.
• Monthly maintenance (i.e. light bulb replacement, fire extinguisher checks, etc.)
• Light handy work.
• Grounds keeping during summer months.
• Furniture moving as needed.
• Painting as needed.
• Light construction as needed.
• Renovation point of contact or consultant to help us organize these activities.
• Building beautification such as decorating for holidays, etc.

One on One Discipleship

• Meet with a client on a regular basis; mentorship but with a spiritual focus. The frequency is determined by the mentor and mentoree.

Receiving Center

Availability is Monday through Friday 8:00 to 4:00 p.m. and on Saturdays during summer months.

• Sort donated goods (clothes, toys, books, electronics, furniture, etc.)
• Clean and prepare items for sale
• Test electronic goods for functionality

Social Networking for Awareness

• Be our friend!
• You can encourage friends and family members to visit our page, read our blog and join our group as a friend. www.myspace.com/missionminds  (Facebook page forthcoming)
• Maintain our MySpace and/or Facebook pages

Volunteer Coordination

• Assist with doing orientation for new volunteers.
• Data entry.
• Organize a volunteer appreciation event in March/April
• Phone calls to thank volunteers & confirm volunteer placements

Weekly Worship Services

Help spread the Good News on Thursday evenings from 5:30-6:00 p.m.

• Help organize or participate in weekly worship services at the shelter
• Services include music, prayer, and a message