Community Companion Volunteer

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ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

Plymouth Healing Communities (PHC) is a non-profit, supportive housing agency that provides resident-centered property management and community support to 46 individuals in seven properties around the Seattle area. In 2001, PHC was founded to address the devastating cycles of hospitalization and homelessness for individuals experiencing a mental health crisis. The House of Healing opened that year as the heart of PHC programming by establishing a model of companionship and solidarity that offers a safe, caring home with a holistic, human approach to recovery and wellness for individuals transitioning from inpatient mental health treatment and/or homelessness to permanent housing.

The model of companionship is a way of building supportive relationships grounded in authenticity, compassion, and empowerment. The role of companionship is to find strength in shared connections, celebrate unique gifts, and walk alongside someone in their personal journey of recovery. We know that opportunities for healing take place when we are each shown the genuine care, love, and respect we deserve. As the organization has grown, companionship has been vital to fostering a sense of home and community that honors all residents.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The Community Companion Volunteer is a member of a volunteer team offering companionship and community support to individuals with lived experience of homelessness and mental illness. Volunteers work individually and together with PHC program staff to develop genuine relationships with program participants (current and former tenants of PHC properties) and foster a sense of community. Volunteers and program participants meet in community to share conversation and refreshments, attend an arts event, identify and access resources, practice a coping skill, or go for a walk in the local neighborhood. By providing companionship and promoting community interactions, volunteers help decrease isolation, which, in the lives of many, acts as a precipitating factor in homelessness and exacerbates mental health issues.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Be available to meet one-on-one for around two hours, twice a month in the community. Individual meetings can range from sharing coffee, tea, or food to pursuing an interactive activity like drawing or walking. Volunteers are welcome to bring games, crafts, and other creative tools to their meetings with program participants.
• Be available to attend one affordable or free community event with other volunteers and program participants. For example, community events might include a movie night at a residential property, a local street fair, a tour of a local museum, or a trip to a local park.
• Develop supportive, genuine, side-by-side, public relationships with program participants according to an established model of companionship while maintaining appropriate boundaries. Encourage and promote connections with supportive community and resources.
• Attend the quarterly debrief meetings with other volunteers and program staff to discuss experiences, gather insight, and provide/receive support.
• Attend the initial volunteer training and other ongoing training events.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Excellent listening skills and the ability to communicate well. Skill with interpersonal relationships.
• Ability to set and hold boundaries with a compassionate outlook.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Ability to contribute to positive and supportive atmosphere of volunteer program.
• Appreciation of diversity (e.g. differences in race, class, ability, gender, age, sexual orientation, belief system, culture, lifestyle, and/or national origin).
• Ability to approach difficult situations with clarity and composure. Willingness to seek support and care for oneself.
• Comfort with ambiguity. Ability to honestly and promptly admit confusion or need for clarification. Please ask questions!
• Ability to attend all initial and follow-up training sessions. Desire to learn about mental illness and homelessness.

INTERESTED?

For general inquiries, please contact Jacob Stuivenga by writing to volunteer@plyhc.org.

To apply, please complete the online application form at http://plyhc.org/companionapplication.