Transition House Volunteer Opportunities

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Transition House is a non-profit organization in Santa Barbara, California, dedicated to the solution of family homelessness. Transition House offers a comprehensive three-stage housing program that aims at helping families develop life skills and sound decision making practices, aimed at alleviating their poverty through strong family-centered support services and rigorous case management.

The following volunteer positions are currently available:

1. Dinner / Lunch Provider on August, 28, 2019

Groups of volunteers provide dinner for the families in the emergency shelter 365 days of the year. This volunteer opportunity involves the planning of the menu, grocery shopping, cooking and serving the meal. If possible, dinner groups also supply lunch materials which get packed as sack lunches for the families to take with them the next morning.

1. Lunch Provider

An individual volunteer or a small group of volunteers supply lunch materials which get packed as sack lunches for the families to take with them the next morning. There are various days available throughout the month. This position usually takes place between 4:30 and 6:00 p.m. (times may be flexible). This position may be done as a onetime service or on a regular basis- usually once per month or every other month.

1. Client Screener- 6 month commitment

Bilingual (Spanish/English) volunteers assist in case management by meeting with shelter residents to address topics their case managers may request, and provide additional support. Volunteers having a masters or doctorate degree or have experience in psychiatry, psychology, or therapy is desired. Volunteer hours are once a week from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. This position requires training in confidentiality, boundaries, note taking, and file managing. We ask for a minimum of a six-month commitment for this position in order to allow residents to build the trust.

1. Homework Help / TLC Facilitator (Children’s Program)- 3 month commitment

Every weekday from 5:00 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. volunteers assist staff in providing homework help to the children living in our shelter and facilitating TLC (Technology and Literacy for Children) activities. TLC activities include a story time, arts and craft projects, as well as the usage of different technology devices. The children’s ages are 4 years and up. This is a once-a-week position.

1. Evening Childcare- 3 month commitment

Staff and volunteers play and color with children, make sure that all children stay safe and are engaged in an activity. This position coincides with the schedule of educational classes (ESL, parenting, job skills) held at the Family Support Center of Transition House as well as the hours of operation of the computer lab. The volunteer hours are once a week from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday through Thursday. The children’s ages range from infants to teenagers. Volunteers are currently needed on Monday and Wednesday.

Please contact Diana Garcia, Volunteer Coordinator, for more information at dgarcia@transitionhouse.com or 805-966-9668 xt-115.