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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

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"Volunteering at ECHO not only instilled a sense of understanding within us that taught us the valuable lesson of being grateful for everything in our life- little or small- but allowed us to realize how ECHO is much more than a shelter- it’s one large, supportive, family unit." - Cal Poly Students

If you would like to join our team of volunteers, click here!

Volunteer Opportunities at ECHO Atascadero - 6370 Atascadero Avenue

 

Overnight Chaperone – Daily 5:30pm - 7:00am, 365 days a year

Volunteers are needed each night from 5:30pm-7:00am (13.5 hours) to supervise the facility and work in a supportive role with shelter residents. Chaperone duties include: checking clients in for the evening, supervising the shelter by doing regular rounds throughout, noting activities throughout the night, and offering general assistance as needed. Chaperones take turns sleeping in shifts, with one chaperone awake at all times. Start/end time can be flexible. Must enjoy working in a supportive role with others.  Volunteers will receive training during their first shift. WIFI is available throughout the shelter.

 

Campus Helper – Daily 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

In this position you will supervise the ECHO outdoors campus during the nightly dinner program and offer a warm welcome as clients enter the property. You will help to maintain a safe environment for all ECHO clients. There is also some light trash pick-up during this shift to ensure ECHO continues to be a good neighbor and offers a welcoming atmosphere to all that enter the property. 

 

Registration – Daily 4:45 PM - 6:00 PM

This position assists staff with the check in procedures for dinner, sign-in clients, and welcomes clients as they enter the dining room.

 

Meal Providers – Daily 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM

Meal provider teams are responsible for preparing meals for up to 85 dinner guests who visit the nightly community dinner program. We ask that meal providers deliver a filling meal consisting of a main dish, a vegetable side, a carb/grain side, and a dessert. Meal providers are welcome to stay and serve their food, but are not required to. All meals are prepared off site, and we ask that meal provider teams deliver the food between 4:00pm - 4:30 PM. 

 

Meal Servers – Daily 4:45 PM - 6:00 PM

Our meal servers are essential in creating a welcoming and safe atmosphere for the people we serve. In this role, volunteers welcome dinner guests, serve dinner, and set up and break down the dining area.

 

Shower Monitor – Monday - Friday 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM

This position supervises and assists clients during the public shower program held before the dinner program. Shower Monitor activities are limited to the shower and outdoor areas. You will assist with check in procedures and ensure there are enough linens and toiletries available for the clients.

 

Laundry Angel – Monday- Friday, various times

Laundry Angels can come to the shelter anytime between 11:30am – 7:00pm. It is best if you can come at a consistent time each week so we can ensure that staff will be available. There is always staff at the shelter from 4:30pm – 6:30pm.  Laundry angels take bed linens and towels home to wash, dry, and return to the shelter the following day. 

 

Special Event Volunteer – Seasonally

This position is available during ECHO special events.  A variety of roles are available: set up, tear down, parking attendant, food service, information booth, greeters.  April – Empty Bowls fundraiser; August - Long Walk Home;  November - Turkey Trot.

 

Service Project Volunteer – Scheduled as needed

We have a variety of positions that can be scheduled to fit your needs. Gardening, organizing clothing donations, paperwork, music accompaniment for nightly dinners.  Please inquire with your ideas.

 

Please contact Kylee Williams, Volunteer Manager, at kwilliams@echoshelter.org, for more information on any volunteer opportunities.

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Volunteer Opportunities at ECHO Paso Robles - 1134 Black Oak Drive

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Meal Providers

 Meal provider teams are responsible for preparing meals for up to 85 dinner guests who visit the nightly community dinner program. We ask that meal providers deliver a filling meal consisting of a main dish, a vegetable side, a carb/grain of some sort, a dessert, and water bottles. Meal providers are welcome to stay and serve their food, but are not required to. All meals are prepared off site, and we ask that meal provider teams deliver the food at 4:15 PM. Contact Stephanie Potter, spotter@echoshelter.org, (805) 538-3947, for more information.

 

Meal Servers: Daily 4:15 PM - 5:30 PM

Our meal servers are essential in creating a welcoming and safe atmosphere for the people we serve. In this role, volunteers welcome dinner guests, serve dinner, and set up and down the dining area. The Paso Cares meal program runs seven days a week, from 4:15 PM to 5:30 PM. 

 

Shelter Greeters: Daily 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM

 The primary role of shelter greeter volunteers is to greet guests as they arrive at the shelter for the evening. Greeters also insure guests have everything they need for the night, and occasionally assist with evening programs. One or two volunteers work alongside ECHOs evening staff for the shift from 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM. 

 

Breakfast and Lunch Meal Providers: SUNDAYS ONLY

Breakfast and Lunch providers prepare about 35 to-go bags of breakfast or lunch to ensure the adults and children staying at the shelter have access to at least two meals per day. Breakfast and Lunch bags must be food items that do not require refrigeration or cooking, and ideally have some nutritious value.

 

Campus Helpers: Monday - Sunday 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

 Evening Chaperones work alongside staff to check guests into the shelter. Evening Chaperones assist staff with handing out linens, unlocking doors, and to asure nightly clients have all they need for their evening stay. Volunteers will also assist alongside staff with any other duties that are needed after clients are settled.

 

Shower Monitors: Monday - Friday, 3:15 PM - 5:15 PM

Shower Sign Up volunteers will manage the shower sign up list and ensure that each guest gets their 15 minute shower. They will also ensure each client who signed up has a clean towel, shower gel, shampoo, conditioner, and razor. After the client has completed their shower the volunteer will then double check the bathroom is tidy and ready for the next client on the list. 

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Laundry Angels: Daily, 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM

One volunteer per day to help clean linens on site for our nightly client rooms. The volunteer will put linens in the washer, dryer, and then fold and organize. 

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Please contact Stephanie Potter, Programs & Volunteer Coordinator, at spotter@echoshelter.org, for more information on any volunteer opportunities.

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