Help us assemble Harm Reduction Kits!

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Join the Damien Center Harm Reduction and Street Outreach team as we assemble Harm Reduction Kits to distribute to the community. These kits contain various items including, but not limited to sterile waters, band-aids, alcohol pads and gauze pads, and other various items aimed at making snorting, smoking or injecting drugs as safe as humanly possible. These kits are given to folks in need for free. These kits are handed out by our Harm Reduction and Street Outreach Specialists consistently throughout the year, to both clients and participants, both at Damien Center and out in the community where folks might live (including outdoor camps). This is a great opportunity for folks seeking flexible volunteer experiences without overarching time commitments, including working professionals, current and/or former patients, young adults, and those seeking a semi-educational outlet. This is also a great opportunity for large volunteer groups like churches, sports teams, schools, or local businesses.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Work alongside Damien Center staff, as well as other volunteers, to assemble the Harm Reduction Kits that the Harm Reduction and Street Outreach Team will distribute to the community throughout the year.
2. Participate in group discussions related to harm reduction, in terms of both sexual intercourse and drug use, if willing and able.

Skills & Qualifications:

• Have a friendly and approachable demeanor - be a people person!
• Volunteers must be at least 14 years of age to participate in this opportunity. All volunteers under the age of 18 will need to have a parent/guardian signature on file before participating.
• Must be comfortable with discussions related to sex and gender, sexual intercourse, sexual orientation, and drug use and other risky behaviors - including snorting, smoking, injecting and ingesting drugs.
• Strong and compassionate communication skills - must be able to converse with folks from diverse and marginalized backgrounds without stereotyping or imposing judgment.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit, stand, walk and/or bend, with or without assistance, for approximately two hours per session.
• Ability to utilize fine motor skills when assembling these kits - there are various small items going into small zip-lock baggies.
• Ability to perform repetitive motions like bending and lifting your arms and hands, opening and closing zip-lock bags, picking up and putting down materials no heavier than 1lb at a time.

Time Commitment & Training:

• This opportunity occurs on the second Thursday of each month, from 5:30pm - 7:30pm, excluding federal holidays and other days which the Damien Center is closed. Volunteers who participate in these one-off opportunities are not required to commit to multiple shifts.
• Volunteers will (1) create a New Volunteer Profile in CERVIS and (2) complete a New Volunteer Orientation and Training Session - either virtually or in-person prior to their first volunteer shift. This is required regardless of the position you are applying for.
• Interested volunteers will then sign up for the shifts they would like to work by utilizing the volunteer profile in CERVIS. Volunteers are encouraged to sign up for as many of these one-off opportunities as they would like.

About the Environment:

This opportunity takes place at the main Damien Center clinic, currently located at 26 N. Arsenal Ave, on the third floor in the large conference room. Upon entry at the front of the building there is a small staircase, followed by a larger staircase leading to the boardroom. There is also an elevator available that is accessible from the client parking lot behind the building. Upon exiting the elevator, a staff member will need to guide you to the boardroom as there are several locked doors on the path. There are usually no more than 10 volunteers at a time alongside one Damien staff member. The room is typically cool and spacious, with wooden floors and two different entrance/exit points. The tables and chairs in this room can be modified in terms of position and location to best suit each volunteer group. This position does not require volunteers to provide services or labor directly to clients.