Sarah’s… an Oasis for Women -- Volunteer Opportunities
At Sarah’s there are opportunities for individuals to become more involved in the life of the house
as well as support Sarah’s through off-site work (fundraising and donation drives, for example).
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At Sarah’s, volunteers who work in the house must possess these qualities to some degree and
have a willingness to work with others toward the development of these qualities:
ability and willingness to relate with women of diverse backgrounds, language skills, appearances, and life
experiences while respecting physical, life experience and emotional privacy
commitment to Sarah’s mission and ministry
knowledge of CSJ mission and ministry
good communication skills including ability to follow written and verbal directions
ability to maintain resident confidentiality
flexibility: allowing for change in oneself, in others, and in the environment
self-awareness: ability to listen to feedback, recognize own potential and limitations, ability to express
feelings/recognize and acknowledge others feelings, and good sense of humor
energy and spirit of cooperation
ability to be collaborative with and accountable to residents, staff, and other volunteers
ability to meet the physical demands of the volunteer opportunity which may include lifting, bending, stooping,
reaching, walking and standing for a period of time.
Volunteers are selected based on mutual expression of Sarah’s needs and the individual volunteer’s expectations, skills
and strengths. Sarah’s staff must be able to assure Sarah’s women that their privacy and safety are being protected at
all times. Volunteers are therefore expected to make a long-term commitment to on-site volunteer work.
The first step in the process of becoming a volunteer is to attend a tour and complete the volunteer application. Please
contact Martha at 651-696-8672 or via email at [email protected] if you are interested.
Sarah’s has a variety of volunteer opportunities available for those who are interested in getting more involved. The list
below is a sample. If you have additional ideas, we are open to discussing them. Many volunteer roles may be
accomplished off-site; these are designated with an *.
Household Support/ Hospitality
Duties: May include any or all of the following (see household support projects list for more details): light
cleaning, laundry folding, setting tables for dinner, washing windows, decorating the house for holidays, sorting
clothing/donations, organizing clothes closet, wrapping holiday gifts, helping to prepare for special events,
making cookie; help with seed starting and care of seedlings (seasonal)
When: 2-3 hour shift, ideally once per week, Monday-Friday 8:30-5pm, all year round
Time commitment: ideally 6 months minimum
Skills needed: see volunteer application
Report to: House Manager
Gardener
Duties: May include any or all of the following: mulching, weeding, watering, planting, raking, etc.
When: 2-3 hour shift, ideally once per week, any day and any time, April-October
Time commitment: ideally one full season April - October
Skills needed: basic knowledge of plants and flowers, physical ability to perform duties
Report to: House Manager
Community Relations *
Duties: This may involve any or all of the following: lead a pre-approved drive for in-kind donations (toiletries,
linens, gift cards, clothing, school supplies, household goods, etc.), act as a point person or liaison to local
businesses or agencies to secure in-kind gifts, assist in administrative support for donor relations (material
printing/sorting, writing thank you letters, etc.), data entry, graphic design assistance, website/social media, etc.
When: to be determined after orientation
Time commitment: project based
Skills needed: strong verbal and written communication skills, creativity, strong interpersonal and networking
skills, graphic design experience a plus, knowledge of marketing or communications best practices, etc.
Report to: Community Relations Associate
Administration
Duties: This may involve data entry, filing, sorting, folding, copying, etc.
When: 1-2 hour shift, ideally 2-4 times per month, Monday-Friday 8:30-5pm, all year round
Time commitment: ideally 6 months minimum
Skills needed: experience with administrative duties, attention to detail, patience, and ability to maintain
confidentiality
Report to: House Manager
Fundraising *
Duties: This may involve any or all of the following: serve on the Fundraising Committee, host an event on
behalf of Sarah’s at your home or other venue, assist in research or data collection for grants or other fund
development opportunities, table captain at our anniversary benefit or at other events.
When: project based
Time commitment: project based
Skills needed: strong verbal and written communication skills, creativity, strong interpersonal and networking
skills, knowledge of nonprofit development best practices, etc.
Report to: Community Relations Associate
Companion * Prayer partner to one resident
Duties: This can include: developing a friendship, attending activities together, English conversation practice,
escorting to appointments, etc.
When: Determined with individual resident(s)
Time commitment: Determined with individual resident(s)
Skills needed: life skills, a desire to have a confidential as well as ethically and culturally appropriate relationship
with a resident, patience and strong communication skills.
Report to: Director (note: relationship initiation may be facilitated by the Director but ongoing supervision is not
provided.) This volunteer position is for CSJs and consociates only.
Tutor/Skill Mentor *
Duties: This is open based on the skills and interest of the volunteer. It may include English homework
assistance, tutoring in another subject, and assistance with budget planning, preparing taxes, resume writing or
another specific area. Other areas of focus may include online networking (LinkedIn, Facebook) and computer
skills such as using flash drives, Microsoft office products, etc.
When: Dependent on the schedules of the volunteer and resident(s)
Time commitment: project based or if on-going; ideally 6 months to 1 year
Skills needed: Expertise in an area, experience and willingness to mentor, teach and share a skill, patience, etc.
Report to: Director or St. Joseph Worker.
Building and Grounds Maintenance (could be for a group)
Duties: This may involve a variety of tasks including: painting, raking leaves, spring cleanup of yard, basic
household maintenance, labyrinth care, etc.
When: project based
Time commitment: project based
Skills needed: skills related to the task; painting, knowledge of basic household repairs, plumbing, basic
electrical, physical ability to perform duties, etc.
Report to: House Manager.
Community Dinner Preparation *
Duties: This involves either preparing and bringing dinner for 30 people or bringing ingredients and using Sarah’s
kitchen to prepare community meal for 30. Your group would be welcome to stay and join the meal. If doing
so, please add that number of people to cook for in addition to 30 residents.
When: Dinners are the first Wednesday of each month from 6-7pm
Time commitment: one time or on-going
Skills needed: menu planning, understanding of certain dietary restrictions and how to accommodate them,
cooking and group coordination
Report to: St. Joseph Worker or House Manager
Summer Intern
Duties: This may involve any or all of the following (see position description for more details): coordinating
household activities and communication via calendar and flyer preparation, lead household activities including
crafts, Wednesday dinner preparation, assist with the housing phone call voice mail, assist in sorting and
distributing clothing and household donation items, act as representative of Sarah’s in communicating with
volunteers, employment networking one-on-one with residents, mentor residents around various life skills,
assist in other duties as needed.
When: 15-30 hours per week Monday-Friday 8:30-5, some evenings and weekends if possible
Time commitment: minimum one summer (12 weeks from June- August)
Skills needed: see position description
Report to: House Manager or Community Relations Associate (Communication Interns)
Volunteer Application
Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Sarah’s… an Oasis for Women. Potential
volunteers will be contacted if there is a match between Sarah’s needs and the volunteer’s
qualifications and interests. After this, volunteers must complete orientation individually or as
a group depending upon availability.
Contact Information
*Required Information
First Name*:
____________
Street Address:
Last Name*:
_______
City:
______
Primary Phone*:
______
Ethnicity:
Zip:
Secondary Phone:
_______
Demographics
Birthday (Month/Year):
____________
State:
______
Email Address*:
______
______
______
____________
Gender:
How did you learn about Sarah’s?*
_____________________________
Country of Birth:
______
____________
Languages spoken (please list all)*:
____________
Are you:
CSJ or Sister in another community
CSJ Consociate or Associate
Yes__ No__
Yes__ No__
Education*
Current Student?
___________
Yes__ No__
High School:
Other Education:
______
______
Employment History*
Currently Employed? Yes___ No___
Most Recent Employer(s):
University:
_________
Field of Study:
Occupation:
______
____________
_ _______________________________
Service Requirement*
Do you need to fulfill a service requirement? Please explain.
_
Yes__ No__
Skills and Interests*
What skills would you like to share with the community at Sarah’s? Why are you interested in volunteering
here?
_
Availability*
Please tell what days and times you are available. Please note: evening and weekend opportunities are
limited.
Sarah’s… an Oasis for Women is a home for women in transition. At Sarah’s… an Oasis for Women, boundaries,
professionalism and confidentiality are critical. In addition to enacting the other values of Sarah’s (simplicity,
accountability, opportunity, possibility, beauty of our home and grounds, right relationships, healing and hope), we have
the following behavior expectations of all staff, including volunteers:
● Responsibility- this includes being on time, following through with commitments and asking for help if you need it.
● Strong communication- this includes appropriate use of voice mail, email, notes and conversations to convey
facts, questions, concerns and clarification needed to address any problems in a timely manner
● Respect- this includes respectful words and actions including wearing appropriate attire (clothing that is modest in
nature).
● Honoring diversity- this includes honoring and recognizing the differences and beauty in each individual’s cultural,
religious, language and other expression. Evangelizing, proselytizing, and using religious language and posting
symbols specific to any one religion is prohibited.
● Show initiative- this includes seeing what needs to be done and doing it, trying to come up with solutions or find
answers before asking for help, as well as sharing good ideas or new solutions to a problem.
● Flexibility and attitude of openness- this includes being willing to try new things, take on new challenges and
staying calm under pressure. A sense of humor is also part of this.
● Sharing lives and changing lives with boundaries- this includes being supportive and encouraging, developing
relationships and friendships but keeping them professional. This does not include spending time with residents
socially or developing anything other than professional relationships with staff and current or former residents.
● Positively representing Sarah’s to the broader community and looking for ways to expand Sarah’s reach and
community knowledge of Sarah’s.
By signing below, both parties agree to the expectations outlined in this letter and will notify the other party immediately if
any changes occur
By signing below, you agree to allow Sarah’s to use photos and videos containing your image in internal and external
paper and electronic publications. If you wish to opt out, please note so below.
By signing below, you also acknowledge that Sarah’s… an Oasis for Women is not liable for any harm sustained to
person or property during volunteer activities performed off-site, even if activities are on behalf of Sarah’s… an
Oasis for Women or are performed with a Sarah’s staff member or resident. All volunteers are covered under the CSJ
Province liability insurance policy while on premises at 520 Warwick St. in St. Paul.
____________________________
Volunteer
____________________________
Date
____________________________
Sarah’s Staff
____________________________
Date
Emergency Contact Information
Name_______________________________________________ Relationship__________________________
Phone 1____________________________________Phone 2______________________________________
The residents at Sarah’s come from different; countries, cultures, and
walks of life. Despite these differences, they share in common experiences
such as; parenting, working, joy, and sorrow. These women are so much
more than the trauma they have experienced. They are incredibly smart
women! Volunteers are often surprised at the level of education or
professional achievement that our residents have reached before coming
here. Residents are really grateful to have you here, and for the connections that you
can help them with
a. It’s important to respect their privacy
b. Embrace the awkward!
The residents are really grateful to have you here, and for the connections that you can help them
with
c. It’s important to respect their privacy
d. Embrace the awkward!
“I love to cook.” “I’m from Wisconsin.” “I
grew up in the country.” “I love to dance.”
Share about yourself, offer up information.
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are really grateful
connections
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help old.”
them
granddaughter
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Leave it open
the residents—you’ll
noticeto have you here, and for the “My
“Wow! That’s a big deal that you got your
if someone with
wants to talk or not. Listen. Don’t
e. It’s important
driver’s license!”
push it! Be okay with silence.
Providingtoarespect their privacy
“It sounds like you work really hard.”
f. Embrace
the awkward!
ministry of presence means
being present,
not
“Your English is great. “ “I understand you.”
necessarily talking.
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are really
grateful to have you here, and for
connections
help them
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personal experience BUT don’t pretend to
h.
Embrace
the
awkward!
share their experiences.
“How’s your day going?” “What’s your
day/week looking like?”
“Do you like work/school?” What is your
dream job/what would you love to learn
about?”
“Do you like (snow, rain, sunshine)?”
“What’s your favorite season?”“How is the
weather here different than back home?”
Holidays- Careful about assumptions! Share
how you celebrate the holidays. Often, if you
talk to the residents about your own
traditions, they’ll offer up something about
theirs. “Do you celebrate XYZ? How do you
celebrate XYZ?”
Activities–“What are you making?” “This
food is delicious! Who made it?” “Do you
like XYZ food?”
Volunteers are often seen as authority figures.
The residents may feel obligated to answer
any questions that you ask. Be aware of this
and don’t ask anything too personal. Don’t
ask questions about why they are here, their
immigration status, the situation back home,
etc. Even questions about kids or family can
stir up difficult memories. If the resident
offers up some information, feel free to ask
about that, but it’s best to leave it up to them.
Don’t make generalizations. Don’t ask
questions through the lens of assumption,
“Were there animals roaming in your
backyard?”
The women and the staff of Sarah’s are so glad that you are here. Thank you for volunteering!