Purpose and Impact Volunteers provide food pantry services and help clients reduce their risk of HIV, Hepatitis C, and drug overdose by distributing sterile syringes and other supplies, and provide clients with life-saving resources like Naloxone.
Benefits:
- Gain job skills in an informal workplace
- Gain knowledge of the harm reduction approach to substance use
- Letter of recommendation after completing X hours???
- Help provide resources to a marginalized community
- Free attendance to HEAL Harm Reduction Conference, LGBTQ+ Healthcare Conference, and Annual Awards Dinner and Silent Auction
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Welcome exchange clients as they arrive
- Complete necessary forms to create accounts for any new clients
- Distribute sterile syringes and receive returned syringes
- Log syringes returned and distributed
- Keep the exchange clean
- Follow all safety and confidentiality procedures
- Stock and maintain supplies in the exchange
Advanced Tasks: (Requires additional training and leadership development by staff)
- Educate clients on harm reduction strategies
- Make referrals to appropriate services such as Free Clinic, Food Pantry, or LEAD
- Recruit new volunteers
Requirements: Must be comfortable working with people who use injection drugs. Also, must be over 18 years old.
Training Requirements: (Training and support provided by on-site staff) Volunteers must complete a HEAL orientation with a focus on working with people who use drugs and the LGBTQ+ community.
