"Ban the Bruises" 

Blessing of the Pets

Live Butterfly release

T-Shirt Art

Visit with Friendship APL

Family and Dog Walk with interactive stations

Visit with Lesley Ashworth, statewide trainer on animal abuse and its relation to the abuse of people

 

For more information about this great new event, click here.

If you are interested in being one of our sponsors, click here.

 Family Violence

(From the National Link Coalition )

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 Blessing House - Children's Crisis Care Center

  God's Project of Hope 

  

 

Become an HMVS Volunteer

Support the Mission of Blessing House

 

 

Blessing House is now partnering with the Humility of Mary Volunteer Services. Our hope is host a volunteer who wants an immersion experience that will help Blessing House provide services to children and families in crisis.

 

The Humility of Mary Volunteer Services (HMVS) places volunteers in programs that service the poor and marginalized. Their mission is “to bring more abundant life to God’s people, especially to those who are poor, by striving to meet the needs of others through our service in many different ministries.” These ministries focus on education, sustainable farming, women and children, and immigration issues.

 

A volunteer in this program commits to a year of service, with the option to renew for a second. The service year begins August 1^st and ends July 31^st.

 

Applicants choose their program with the help of the program director.

 

1.)  Why would I become a volunteer?

 

   Participating in the HMVS program enables individuals who have an interest in service and social justice to have an immersion experience that allows them to learn more about social service programs, to learn about other cultures, to research vocational opportunities and to discover more about themselves. The experience helps individuals grow spiritually, academically and emotionally.

 

2.)   What would I be doing?

 

   Actual duties will depend on the volunteer’s skills. Opportunities will be available to help in the office with development projects, to help maintain the facilities, to provide assistance to families by helping to manage material donations and to spend time with the children, helping them feel comfortable and safe during their families’ emergencies.

 

    The volunteer will be able to participate in a variety of activities. This may include helping prepare meals, helping children with homework, playing games with the children, helping sort and deliver donations, helping the Christmas project, developing spreadsheets and mailings, and helping with fundraisers. This is not an all inclusive list.

 

3.)   What kind of a commitment would I need to make?

 

    Volunteers must commit to a year of full time service. This requires 37-40 hours a week with the schedule set by the Blessing House supervisor.

 

4.)   Is there any compensation or financial support available?

 

     Yes. For long term volunteers, there is a small personal stipend, a shared community stipend, health insurance and room and board. There is also the possibility that the volunteer may qualify for an Education Award, pending approval and acceptance into the Catholic Vounteer Service’s program.  

 

     Volunteers live in community and pending on placements, the size of the community may be as small as 2 or as large as 5. Volunteer’s live in an HM house or inexpensive housing will be provided.

 

5.)  What is the Americorps Education Award?

  

 After successfully completing a term of service, AmeriCorps members who were signed up for an education award are eligible to receive a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. This education award can be used to pay education costs at qufor educational training, and to repay qualified student loans. You can make payments alified institutions of higher education, to pay from your award in full or in part, and you can take up to seven years after your term of service has ended to use your award.

 

The amount of the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award is tied to the maximum amount of the U.S. Department of Education’s Pell Grant. Since the maximum amount of Pell grants can change from year to year, so can the dollar amounts of education awards. (For terms of service that were approved using 2011 funds, the amount of a full-time education award was $5,550; awards for part-time terms of service are pro-rated based on the amount of a full-time award.)

 

    6.)   What are the requirements to become an HMVS volunteer?

 

·         21 years old and have work experience or a college education

·         US citizenship or be a lawful permanent resident alien

·         Commitment to serve as a full time volunteer for 11 months.

·         Willingness to spend a year in the service of others.

·         Good communication and interpersonal skills.

·         Ability to be flexible, adaptive, and work on a team.

·         Make a commitment to live in community with respect to diversity and an ability to maturely resolve conflict.

 

     7.)   Are there any other age limits?

 

   You must be at least 21 years old, but other than that, there are no limits. 

 

     8.)   What kind of support does the volunteer get ?

 

   The volunteer will meet regularly with the program director to discuss experiences and concerns. The volunteer will receive feedback and have the opportunity to discuss matters relating to the experience. Also, as part of a community with other volunteers, he or she will be able to share experiences, develop friendships and grow in all aspects of life.

 

     9.)   Who do I contact if I am interested in volunteering?

 

   If you would like more information about become an HMVS volunteer at Blessing House, call 440-240-1851 to speak with Sr. Mary Berigan.

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Mission Statement