VOLUNTEER JOB DESCRIPTIONS & DRESS CODE
(Updated September 22, 2022)
Activities Coordinator (Client Interaction: high)
Provide different activities for the clients who are in the Day Center/Crossroads. Play cards, BINGO, board games, etc. Volunteers must be 18+ years of age.
Administrative/Receptionist (Client Interaction: low)
Assist with essential office work by need of department, including answering phones, computer work and assisting with donations as they come in. Volunteers must be 18+ years of age.
Community Clothing Center (Client Interaction: high)
Assist customers shopping at our Community Clothing Center (CCC), where merchandise given away to anyone in need. Help stock shelves or sort merchandise. The CCC is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday from noon-5PM. Volunteers must be 16+ years of age. Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Donation Sorter (Client Interaction: low)
Help sort donated clothing and household items at our Liverpool warehouse for redistribution to our Thrifty Shopper stores. Volunteers must be 14+ years of age. Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Employment Resource Assistant (Client Interaction: high)
Help those staying in our shelter develop skill sets to help them find employment. Previous experience with resumes and job searching is helpful. Volunteers must be 18+ years of age.
Groundskeeper (Client Interaction: medium)
Assist in the spring, summer and fall with outside projects such as planting flowers, mowing, raking and trimming bushes to make the Rescue Mission main campus an inviting place for clients and visitors. Volunteers must be 12+ years of age. Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Food Service/Kitchen Helper (Client interaction: medium)
Help prepare, serve and clean up at breakfast, lunch and dinner for Rescue Mission clients and residents. Volunteers must be 12+ years of age. Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Maintenance Helper (Client interaction: low)
Provide preventive maintenance or repairs, install lighting, or paint. Some prior experience or knowledge is helpful. Volunteers must be 18+ years of age.
Shelter Assistant (Client interaction: high)
Assist staff in maintaining the safety and comfort of our clients, whether it is helping out in our Day Drop-in Center or our Emergency Shelter. Volunteers must be 18+ years of age.
Spiritual Life Assistant (Client interaction: medium)
Assist the Spiritual Life team with weekly services and other events throughout the year. Volunteers must be 18+ years of age.
Thrifty Shopper Store Assistant (Client interaction: none)
Assist customers shopping at one of our 18 Thrifty Shopper stores, where merchandise is sold to support Rescue Mission services. Flexible hours 7 days as a week. Volunteers must be 10+ years of age. Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Special Events Assistant (Client interaction: none)
Assist staff in the execution special events. Age requirements vary, Volunteers assisting with the 50/50 raffle at Syracuse Mets home games must be 18+.
Holiday (Thanksgiving/Christmas/Easter) Volunteers (Client interaction: medium)
Age requirements vary. Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
Off-Site Events:
Volunteer-led activities including crafts, meal bag/placement decorating, holiday gift purchasing, lemonade stands to benefit the Rescue Mission, care bag preparation, etc. All ages welcome, Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Please email Volunteer Services with total hours for tracking purposes.
ORGANIZING DRIVES
Churches, schools, companies and other groups can support the Rescue Mission by conducting drives to collect items for the people we serve. Event/Drive posters are available from the Rescue Mission upon request. Listed below are some of our ongoing needs.
Toiletries: Collect and organize personal hygiene items for men and women, including shaving cream, disposable razors, toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs/brushes, hand and body lotions, soap, feminine hygiene, sunscreen, and Chapstick.
Clothing Essentials: Collect and organize NEW socks, men’s/women’s t-shirts/sweatshirts/sweatpants/leggings, men’s/women’s underwear, women’s sports bras.
Blankets, Towels and Sheets: Collect and organize new or gently used towels, blankets and sheets for our shelter and residential programs.
Winter Gear: Collect and organize new hats, gloves or scarves, and/or new or gently used coats and boots to outfit our residents during the winter.
FOOD DONATIONS
All food donations must be prepared in a certified, inspected Kitchen that meets all health code regulations. Typical venues that have a certified kitchen are churches, restaurants, VFW Auxiliary halls, etc. All cooks must wear a hairnet or cap, gloves and an apron.
We will accept store-bought food donations year-round. Most needed items include: Frozen Turkeys, Hams, Pies, Non-Perishable, Single Serve Items, Canned Goods (#10 size preferred). These food donations should be delivered to the back door of the Clarence L. Jordan Food Service Center (148 Gifford Street, Syracuse)
VOLUNTEER DRESS CODE
Rescue Mission volunteers must be appropriately dressed for their required service. Volunteers without appropriate attire will be asked to leave Rescue Mission service sites.
General Dress Code:
Short-or-long-sleeved shirts or blouses (no sleeveless attire). Pants must be worn at the waist. Please refrain from wearing shorts or skirts shorter than 4 inches above the knee. Closed-toe shoes only (no sandals or flip-flops). Clothing must not display profanity of any kind.
Area-specific Requirements:
Attended Donation Centers:
Long pants or capris required
Crossroads Adult Home:
If serving meals, a hat, cap or hair wrap is required. Hair net/Beard cover will be provided.
Donation Redistribution Center:
Durable work clothing should be worn, choose items that you don’t mind getting dirty or dusty; Pants or capris required; No jewelry (Earrings, watches, bracelets etc.).
Food Service Center:
Skirts must be ankle length; No capris or shorts, long pants only; Hat, cap or hair wrap is required, a hair net or beard cover will be provided. Aprons and gloves will be provided.
Grounds Keeping and Maintenance:
Work clothing should be worn, choose items that you don’t mind getting dirty or dusty; pants or capris required (no shorts or skirts)