Willis Dady Shelter Has Overnight Volunteers

Pin It

The Willis Dady Shelter, a United Way partner in Cedar Rapids, uses the help of overnight volunteers so staff members can work during the day and help clients find the best solution for them. To volunteer visit: http://UnitedWayofEastCentralIowa.org/overnightvolunteers

Here’s a transcript of the video:

Tim Wilson, Executive Director, Willis Dady Shelter:
“We are delighted with the success we’ve been having, so far, with our overnight volunteers. It has been hugely important to us because it has allowed us to shift some of the hours of our trained professional staff to more day time hours from evening when they’re asleep and all of our clients are asleep. During the day, they are able to serve more clients who come in seeking shelter or seeking, really, any kind of support needs that they might have identified. Since it’s during working hours, it’s more likely that we are able to connect them with some of those resources at that moment, than if they’re coming in 4 o’clock, 5 o’clock in the afternoon or even later to check in because those other offices and other services are going to be open.”

Denine Rushing, Resident Assistant:
“When someone comes by the shelter, what we’ll do is we’ll kinda assess their particular situation and then we’ll try to see if there are any resources within the community that can help their situation. I’m not just checking them into the shelter but just seeing what other resources there are in town that could help them.

Kristine Harris, volunteer:
“This is where I stay when I’ve stayed over 220 hours here at the shelter. As a volunteer, if you’re a student, you can do your homework. That’s where I started out interning and I did homework and I enjoyed it. It’s comfortable. There is a nice TV. There is computer access. Whatever you might need is here for you. They are very accommodating. They train you very well.”

Category: Video, Volunteering, Willis Dady Emergency Shelter