Rules and Policies for Volunteers at All Sites

Because of the issues faced by women and children surviving homelessness and domestic violence and the community setting within which we operate, it is necessary for all staff and volunteers to follow certain policies regarding our interactions with each other and residents while at work. These policies are intended to ensure that residents are treated with respect, concern, and sensitivity, and that the safety of each person is upheld as strictly as possible. Toward these goals, we ask that you observe the following:

• The shelter locations are confidential, and we do not allow visitors. Please do not give out the shelters' addresses or directions. If you know someone who would like to volunteer or make a donation, please feel free to give them our phone number (510-357-0205). Always ask staff for permission before having anyone drive you or come with you to the shelters.
• Sister Me Home Safe House's confidentiality policies are even more strict than the shelters'. Outside of staff, residents, and trained and authorized volunteers, no one may know its location. Please, respect this policy consistently to protect our residents' safety. If you do not drive, talk with your volunteer supervisor about arranging a safe way for you to arrive at the safe house.

• For safety reasons, it is very important that you never confirm or deny any person's residency at our shelters to any outside person.
• To ensure fairness, all donations must be given to the program, not to individuals. Please, do not give material goods or money to residents. If you wish to demonstrate your generosity, we would love for you to bring something that everyone can share.
• We do not allow alcohol or drugs on the premises or tolerate any person being under the influence while at our sites or representing our agency.
• Please, refrain from comments or behavior that offend anyone's gender, sexual orientation, marital status, religion, age, veteran status, disability, ethnicity, or skin color, or that may insult anyone in any other way.
• If you have questions or concerns about shelter policy or about how a staff handles a situation, please wait and ask the staff privately. If you do not feel comfortable speaking to the staff, please talk to your direct supervisor or the Volunteer Coordinator. It is important that you not address these matters in front of residents.
• Please do not take any donations or other shelter property.
• If any situation arises that you are not trained to handle, that you are unsure how to handle, or that makes you uncomfortable, please bring it to the attention of the staff on duty immediately.

• Please do not inquire about residents' personal information. Residents may or may not be comfortable sharing personal information and will raise the subject if they wish.
• Romantic or sexual comments or relationships are prohibited.
• If you are acquainted with a shelter resident, you may not volunteer with us for the duration of her stay.
• Please, do not discuss your personal matters with residents; they should be left outside the door. We are here for the benefit of the shelter residents.
• Volunteers may not get involved with any resident's recovery (please do not invite them to your meetings or offer to be a sponsor).
• Volunteers may not offer rides to residents, nor accept if they ask.
• Please do not discuss staff, volunteer, or other residents' matters with residents. However, if you become aware of any information that could jeopardize anyone's safety or recovery, or that may be pertinent to a resident's case management, please share it with staff right away.

• If you will be unable to volunteer at your scheduled time, please call and notify us at least 24 hours in advance, so that we may schedule another volunteer or make other arrangements.
• Please be prepared to take your volunteer position seriously. We do depend heavily on our volunteers. Not showing, not completing your project thoroughly, or not holding yourself accountable to the above policies can be detrimental to the operation of our shelters.
• Each time you volunteer with our agency, please enter your name, task completed, and hours worked on the "Volunteer Sign-Out Sheet" (ask the staff on site where to find this sheet). By tracking your service, you will help us demonstrate to current and potential funders the depth of our community support, which can significantly impact their funding decisions.

We are very grateful for your interest and your help! We look forward to working with you.