Winter Nights Manual: Quick Facts
Objective To organize, fund, and operate a program under the auspices of the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County that will provide temporary nighttime shelter from mid-October, 2008 through the end of April, 2009 for families with children and ambulatory elders who are experiencing homelessness in Contra Costa County. TYPICAL WEEK OF WINTER NIGHTS Mid-Afternoon on Monday: Truck carrying pads, bed linens, supplies for children’s educational and recreational activities and the belongings of the families arrives at the congregation to be unloaded by the Set-Up Supervisor, assisted by volunteers. Volunteers set up a section of the facility for dining, a section for sleeping, and a section for evening activities. 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday: Van driver begins picking up guests and transporting them to the congregation. 5:00 p.m. Monday through Sunday: Volunteers arrive to prepare for guests. 5:00 - 5:30 p.m.: Guests begin arriving at the Shelter and healthful snacks are provided (veggies, cheese, fruit, homemade cookies, etc.) Shelter Supervisor is present. 5:30 - 6:15 p.m. Tutoring Coordinator assigns volunteeres and clients to work together. 6:15 - 6:30 p.m.: Dinner provided by Cook/Serve Volunteers. Volunteers eat with guests. Meals for late client arrivals due to work or other commitments are set aside. 6:45 - 7:45 p.m. Wash Temple Isaiah dishes on Green Nights. 7:00 p.m.: Activities – Reading, Board Games, Art Projects, Special Events; Lunch preparation for the next day. Additional tutoring time as needed. 8:30 p.m.: Children’s Bedtime. 8:30 – 9:30 p.m.: Adult Quiet Hour 9:00 pm: Overnight volunteers (2) arrive. The volunteers are permitted to sleep but are on call. The Professional Overnight Supervisor is awake through the night. 10:00 p.m.: Lights Out 5:15 a.m.: Wake-up call. Parents are responsible for making their beds, cleanliness of the bathrooms, and supervising their own children. 5:15–6:15 a.m.: Breakfast is available. Overnight volunteers assist with breakfast. 6:30 a.m.: Everyone will leave the shelter promptly, after signing out. “Moving Day” (Monday, December 28) Midmorning: After the Van Driver transports guests without cars to public transportation, the Take-Down Supervisor returns to the past weeks’ shelter to reload the items into the truck to deliver them to the next shelter location. Volunteers from the past location launder the bed linens and deliver them to the new location by mid-afternoon. Who is Eligible – Basic Criteria
- A family with dependent children.
- A senior 65 or older, capable of self-care.
- Deemed homeless.
- Willing to commit in writing to comply with the Client Participation Guidelines.
- Willing to work toward self-sufficiency and permanent housing.
Length of Stay in the Program
Will vary depending on the needs of the individual or family.
Screening of Shelter Guests
Clients are screened prior to participation to ensure that they meet the Eligibility Criteria. Initial screening is conducted by an experienced professional through a phone interview. The second screening is an in-person interview conducted by program staff to determine eligibility. If applicants are denied admission to the Program, efforts will be made to refer them to other more appropriate agencies for service and assistance.
Health & Safety
On entry into the shelter, Public Health Department personnel will conduct a health screening including a test for tuberculosis. Individuals with obvious signs or symptoms of active communicable illness, that are deemed contagious or detrimental to the health of others, would not be admitted to the shelter but given a motel voucher and referred to the appropriate medical facility for treatment. First Aid supplies will be available and orientation to fire exits and extinguishers will be provided. All clients and professional staff are required to have a seasonal flu shot and an H1N1 shot as available. Seasonal flu shots are recommended for volunteers.
Staffing
Paid Staff will include a Program Director and Site Supervisors, Oasis Supervisor, and a van driver. A pro-bono Executive Director is responsible for directing the program and reporting to the Interfaith Council of Contra Costa County’s Executive Board. A pro-bono Social Worker and Teach For America volunteer work with all clients. Volunteers from the congregations, working under the direction of the paid personnel, are an important part of the staffing.