Volunteer

OHRA shower trailer

In-Person Volunteer Opportunities

The Resource Center
We are seeking volunteers to be the front desk assistant. This position will help the front desk staff when things get busy.  It includes talking with guests as they come in the door, answering the phone and transferring calls as needed, escorting guests to their navigators’ office, filing mail and packages as they are delivered, distributing mail to the guests, and filling-in wherever needed.  The ability to multi-task is a plus. It’s a busy office; volunteers must be comfortable getting up and down frequently and walking a good deal. Resource hours are 9-2:00 Monday – Friday. Would prefer to have one person a day for 5 hours, but open to those who can volunteer 9-12:00 or 12:00 – 2:00 one day each week. 

Shelter Office
We are seeking volunteers to be the shelter office assistant. This position will help maintain a presence in the shelter office as staff often get called to be in different locations throughout the shelter. The position entails sitting at a desk and watching the various security cameras reflecting guests coming and going. Must answer phone as needed and take messages.  Volunteers will help inspect any package/bag that a guest is arriving with to insure there are no drugs or alcohol. This is a quiet office, with a good deal of sitting required. Hours are 9-2:00 Monday- Sunday. Would prefer to have one person a day for 5 hours, but open to those who can volunteer 9-12:00 or 12:00 – 2:00 one day each week.

Shower Trailer
The trailer is currently parked at the Grove in Ashland and needs volunteers to help run the trailer every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 – 2:30. We are seeking volunteers to help set-up the shower trailer for use, including getting out supplies, preparing daily paperwork and lists.  Volunteers will also manage shower trailer sign-ups by making sure guests sign-in, review safety policies, and get consent forms signed. Manage sanitizing shower in-between showers, as well as the shut-down of the trailer by cleaning, sanitizing, and storing all supplies in trailer and ensuring trailer and site is locked and secured. Volunteers need to be able to maintain positive interactions with guests and keep accurate tally of daily use of the shower trailer.  This would be a great opportunity for a group of friends to volunteer together.

OHRA Staff

Remote Volunteer Opportunities

Housing Reporter
Tracking progress on transitional housing and providing a monthly report.

News Media Auditor
Monitoring local news, TV websites and newspapers; providing a monthly report on coverage related to housing and homelessness.

Resource Guide Admin
For years, OHRA has published a list of local resources (places to do laundry, find clothing, access free meals, etc.) which is made available to our guests. That list needs updating, and then it needs to be maintained as changes become known. A volunteer needs to be able to initially make phone calls, assess the proper information, and then type it up into a one-page document. This document might need updating once a month, and the document could then be emailed to OHRA.

 

Because of COVID-19, OHRA has been without volunteers for almost two years. We are finally ready to welcome back volunteers to all our programs! If you think you might be interested in the opportunities above or have questions, email volunteer@helpingashland.org. We look forward to hearing from you!