Volunteer Manual - FINAL updated 08 02 12

[Pages:18]Volunteer Manual

Last revision August 2, 2012

CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF SOUTHEAST TEXAS

A Guide to Volunteering

Mailing and Physical Address: 2780 Eastex Freeway Beaumont, TX 77703

Phone (409) 924-4400 ? Fax (409) 832-0145

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1 Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas

Board of Directors ............ 14 Key Staff........................... 14 Organization Chart ........... 14

History of Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas............. 3 Statement of Identity ......... 4 Mission Statement.............. 4 Service Motto ..................... 4 Catholic Social Teachings ........................ 5/6 Catholic Charities' Programs............................. 7 Acronyms ............................ 8

CHAPTER 2 About Volunteering

CHAPTER 3 Procedures

Check-in procedures ........ 15 What to do if a volunteer gets injured ...................... 15 Record Keeping................ 15 Continuation/Termination Policies............................. 16 Evaluation Procedures ..... 17 Sources Used ................... 17

Definition of "Volunteer".......9 Mission Statement ................9 Vision Statement ..................9 Guidelines ............................10 Confidentiality .....................11 Ethical and Personal Conduct Policies............... 11 Time Commitments .......... 12 Volunteer Rights ............... 12 Volunteer Responsibilities12 Arrangements for Breaks, Meals and Refreshments .. 13 Training Opportunities ........13

Chapter

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History of Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas

In the quiet hours when we are alone and there is nobody to tell us what fine fellows we are, we come sometimes upon a moment in which we wonder, not how much money we are earning, nor how famous we have become, but what good we are doing. ?A.A. Milne

Southeast Texas is alive with many diverse cultures. Immigrants from various areas of the globe come to Southeast Texas with their native cultures and religious customs. Many of those who fled to the United States in the early 1970s were Catholic. In 1975, the United States Catholic Conference assumed a dominant role in the resettlement of these immigrants. The Diocese of Beaumont accepted the responsibility of resettling refugees and set an initial target of 1,000 people. On October 25, 1976, the Resettlement Office was incorporated to address this issue. The Resettlement Office's services included providing reception, placement, case management services, childcare, job development, job placement, support services to refugees. On August 28, 1986, this corporation was renamed The Partnership for Human Development. Later, the operations of Catholic Charities, the social services arm of the Diocese of Beaumont, were transferred to the corporation of Partnership for Human Development. On December 18, 1989, the agency was renamed Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Beaumont. Two years were spent evaluating the social service safety net throughout the diocese with the goal of designing programs that met a recognized human need without duplicating the services provided by other organizations. From this research, programs of service developed. On January 11, 2007, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Beaumont was renamed Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas. Catholic Charities currently offers seven programs in the Diocese of Beaumont's service area: Asset Building Case Management, Counseling Services, Disaster Response, Elijah's Place, Hospitality Center, Immigration Services and Parish Social Ministry.

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Statement of Identity

We are a tax-exempt, multi-program service organization serving nine counties in Southeast Texas. Inspired by the social teachings of the Church, we currently provide services in the areas of children and family services, immigration services, parish and social ministry, and advocacy. All services are available to anyone, regardless of their religion, race, color, sex, national origin, age, disability or citizenship status.

Mission Statement

People of faith providing solutions to targeted human needs, aspiring towards a universal community that preserves and supports the dignity of all.

Service Motto

"Providing Help and Creating Hope"

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SHARING CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING: Challenges and Directions

Reflections of the U.S. Catholic Bishops The Church's social teaching is a rich treasure of wisdom about building a just society and living lives of holiness amidst the challenges of modern society. Modern Catholic social teaching has been articulated through a tradition of papal, conciliar and episcopal documents. The depth and richness of this tradition can be understood best through a direct reading of these documents. In these brief reflections, we wish to highlight several of the key themes that are at the heart of our Catholic social tradition.

Life and Dignity of the Human Person

The Catholic Church proclaims that human life is sacred and that the dignity of the human person is the foundation of a moral vision for society. Our belief in the sanctity of human life and the inherent dignity of the human person is the foundation of all the principles of our social teaching. In our society, human life is under direct attack from abortion and assisted suicide. The value of human life is being threatened by increasing use of the death penalty. We believe that every person is precious, that people are more important than things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it threatens or enhances the life and dignity of the human person.

Call to Family, Community, and Participation

The person is not only sacred but also social. How we organize our society ? in economics and politics, in law and policy ? directly affects human dignity and the capacity of individuals to grow in community. The family is the central social institution that must be supported and strengthened, not undermined. We believe people have a right and a duty to participate in society, seeking together the common good and well-being of all, especially the poor and vulnerable.

Rights and Responsibilities

The Catholic tradition teaches that human dignity can be protected and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are protected and responsibilities are met. Therefore, every person has a fundamental right to life and a right to those things required for human decency. Corresponding to these rights are duties and responsibilities ? to one another, to our families, and to the larger society.

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Option for the Poor and Vulnerable

A basic moral test is how our most vulnerable members are faring. In a society marred by deepening divisions between rich and poor, our tradition recalls the story of the Last Judgment (Mt 25:31-46) and instructs us to put the needs of the poor and vulnerable first.

The Dignity of Work and the Rights of Workers

The economy must serve people, not the other way around. Work is more than a way to make a living; it is a form of continuing participation in God's creation. If the dignity of work is to be protected, then the basic rights of workers must be respected ? the right to productive work, to decent and fair wages, to organize and join unions, to private property, and to economic initiative.

Solidarity

We are our brothers' and sisters' keepers, wherever they live. We are one human family, whatever our national, racial, ethnic, economic, and ideological differences. Learning to practice the virtue of solidarity means learning that "loving our neighbor" has global dimensions in an interdependent world.

Care for God's Creation

We show our respect for the Creator by our stewardship of creation. Care for the earth is not just an Earth Day slogan, it is a requirement of our faith. We are called to protect people and the planet, living our faith in relationship with all of God's creation. This environmental challenge has fundamental moral and ethical dimensions that cannot be ignored. Copyright 1999, United States Catholic Conference, Inc., Washington, D.C. All rights reserved.

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Catholic Charities of Southeast Texas Programs

Asset

Asset Building Case Management

Building

Asset Building Case Management (ABC) unites financial education with longterm case management, helping low-to-moderate income families repair their

CAset ase

credit and commit to increasing their savings. Clients identify appropriate financial goals and receive case management support to make progress towards

Management home ownership or continued education opportunities.

Counseling Services

Counseling Services offers individual, couple, family and grief counseling according to a sliding scale, making the service more affordable to those with limited capacity to pay for professional mental health support.

Disaster Response

Disaster Response addresses emergency relief needs caused by natural or manmade disasters, as well as personal tragedies. The program also engages in disaster preparedness training that equips volunteers with skills needed to mobilize for future regional disasters.

Elijah's Place

Elijah's Place gives peer and adult support to children ages 5 ? 18 who are grieving the death of a parent or sibling or who have been affected by separation or divorce.

The Hospitality Center

The Hospitality Center operates in Port Arthur, serving a hearty midday meal every day of the year to the homeless, unemployed, elderly, disabled or others who may lack access to sufficient food.

Immigration Services

Immigration Services provides subsidized legal services to immigrants seeking the legal protections afforded them under the law.

Parish Social Ministry

Parish Social Ministry lends support and training resources to local church leaders and members attempting to organize local social justice ministries and community services.

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