If you’re looking for an opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life while at the same time discovering your own unique strengths and qualities, you may want to consider volunteering at Newmarket’s seasonal homeless shelter.
As Inn from the Cold gears up to open its overnight shelter program for men and women aged 16 and older on Nov. 4, it is issuing a call for volunteers.
Volunteer trainer Heather O’Dell, a retired mental health nurse who will soon celebrate her 12th year volunteering at the Penrose Street shelter, said being a part of its 200-plus volunteer team “is about recognizing what you have within you, and knowing that you’re sharing it with other like-minded individuals”.
“We are all mothers, brothers, fathers, sisters, and we have different roles that we play outside of what we do,” O’Dell said. “I find that I am my most authentic self when I am here. If people really want to understand what’s within them, then volunteering here is a huge leap to that.”
O’Dell recalls the first time she showed up for a volunteer shift at the shelter, feeling confident with her years of education and training working as a nurse within a local school board.
“What I’ve always said, is that the first time I came here thinking I knew all that a bag of chips, I got schooled within 15 minutes of being here,” she said with a laugh. “When you live and breath the life that they live and breath, the people who use this shelter, then you really get to see the real deal. If this is something you’d like to pursue as a career, being a volunteer provides invaluable experience and training.”
Inn from the Cold volunteers are an important part of the shelter team, helping to deliver services to guests, and preparing meals, folding towels, or supporting guests with conversation.
“This shelter started off with volunteers, and really became what it is today because of our volunteer base, who are strong, dedicated, and passionate people who’ve said that they want to make a difference,” O’Dell said. “And they find out when they get here, that with the other volunteers and the guests here, it’s more of a community.”
Volunteers, themselves, are supported with the training they need to meet the needs of the shelter’s guests.
As one of the trainers, O’Dell delivers the initial two-hour welcome and training session. Then, as the shelter season progresses, additional workshops and sessions are offered on such things as how to administer naloxone, self-care, mental health and addiction, and more.
“We’re constantly keeping our volunteers current with all the needs of the guests who use the shelter,” O’Dell said.
Once the overnight shelter program begins Nov. 4, between 200 and 260 volunteers are needed to keep everything running around the clock until mid-April.
That means 12 volunteers are needed seven days a week on two shifts, from 6 to 8:30 a.m., and from 7 to 11 p.m.
“We need that amount of volunteers because of the many programs we offer here,” O’Dell said. “It’s not just people coming in, getting a meal, sleeping on a cot, and leaving in the morning. There’s so many different levels of what we do and our volunteers are key to that.”
Shelter staff work overnight from midnight till morning, when a team of five volunteers arrive daily at about 5:30 a.m. to begin preparing a hot breakfast for guests.
Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and apply for the vulnerable sector screening check with York Regional Police.
Several upcoming training sessions have been scheduled, including Oct. 7 from 7 to 9 p.m., Oct. 23 from 7 to 9 p.m., and Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
In addition, Inn from the Cold will host an open house on Wed., Oct. 9 from 7 to p.m. at the shelter, located at 510 Penrose St., Newmarket. You can learn more about its programs, take a tour, meet staff and volunteers, as well as shelter participants.
To register to volunteer or for more information, visit here, email volunteer coordinator, Martha Berry at [email protected], or call 905-895-8889, ext. 221.
For more information on Inn from the Cold, visit here.
