AmeriCorps volunteers needed to serve foster children and their families.

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Helen's Hope Chest engages the community to provide for the basic needs of children and teens in foster and kinship care. We do this through our boutique-like facility where children can "shop" for free up to 4 times per year. We host programs such as JaKelle's Christmas Box, providing gifts to approximately 3000 youth annually; Foster360, navigation, and life coaching for youth aging out of foster care; K 2 College, preparing youth for the start of a new school year; and John's Room, a special program dedicated to the main job of a child -- to play.

Helen's Hope Chest (HHC) began as a project of Mesa United Way after the economic crash in 2008. A small clothing closet was opened in a borrowed church room in 2009 that provided 1,400 units of service to foster and kinship families. Since then, HHC has grown into an 8,000 square food building and provides over 12,000 units of service annually. The items distributed has an estimated value of nearly $2,000,000 in FYE 2019.

Before the COVID pandemic, HHC served an average of 650 foster and kinship youth per month for basic needs assistance. Items are provided without cost to the child or foster family, helping fill the gap in state benefit cuts. According to the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS), there are over 14,000 children in state care. The majority of these children are victims of neglect and abuse. Members may be exposed to stories about trauma.

Helen's Angel Description (AmeriCorps Member):
Helen's Angel is a team member that is dedicated to the service of children and teens in foster care. They are essential to the day-to-day operations of Helen's Hope Chest by ensuring that donations are sorted, cleaned, and readily accessible to the kids.

Duties:

• Receive donations of clothing, shoes, books, toys, hygiene supplies, and more. A Helen's Angel is often the first contact that new donor has with Helen's Hope Chest.
• Inspect donations to ensure quality and appropriateness.
• Wash, clean, and prepare donations for display in "store".
• Replenish storage bins with clean donations; this can involve climbing ladders, lifting and moving boxes, and reaching overhead.
• Restock the "store" with clean donations.
• Assist families and children pick out clothing and other items.
• Help to maintain clean and organized workspaces and public spaces.

Ideal for someone who has these skills: Able to life 40+ lbs., able to stand for 2 hours, organization, communication, Spanish speaking (preferred but not necessary), friendly with a good work ethic, flexible and willing to help wherever needed.

Training and Support Provided: Formal training on Trauma Informed Care, Compassion Fatigue & Burnout Prevention, CPR/First Aid Certification, Opioid Addiction, and ongoing communication and support from the Executive Director and staff.

Time Commitment: Contract choices: 300 hours, 450 hours, 675 hours, & 900 hours
Service Commitment: September 1, 2023 through August 31, 2024 - Late starts available!
Compensation: Depends on contract size: $3105 - $9315 total living allowance (before taxes), $1,374 - $3247 Education Award