MEND Poverty

Description of Duties: The Walking Guide Volunteer is responsible for encouraging walking groups to increase their level of physical activity through participation in regular health walks, which last from 15 minutes upwards. The Walking Guide Volunteer will we an expert on the 2-mile walking route from San Fernando Rd to Glenoaks and will direct participants through the route. The Walking Guide Volunteer will walk with participants and ensure to always have a first aid kit and phone for safety precautions.
Impact: The Pathways to Wellness volunteer plays an important role in creating a welcoming and professional environment for all staff, participants and visitors that come to MEND.
Specific Responsibilities: The Walking Guide volunteer will indicate to walkers when to stretch, when to start their brisk walking, when to cool down, and if necessary, when to change direction.
The Walking Guide will ensure that new walkers complete registration forms and waivers before they take their first walk. Ensure that everyone completes the walk, or if anyone needs to stop early, ensure they get back to the start safely. Ensure all walking group attendance is inputted into ETO database.
Skills/Experience/Resources/Certifications Needed: Bilingual, customer service, time-efficient, previous experience in leading a large group. Must be comfortable walking 2 miles. Must demonstrate cultural competence and be sensitive to vulnerable populations. CPR certified.
Dress Code: Dress in a way that allows for comfort, flexibility, and functionality. Wear clean and appropriate clothing that contributes to a professional appearance. Wear non-slip comfortable shoes.
Time Commitment: Wednesdays and Fridays – 8am-11am.
Covid-19 Vaccination and Masking: MEND follows the LA Public Health Guidelines for COVID-19cases (isolation) and close contact. While at MEND masks are optional.

Description of Duties: Represent MEND at donor’s homes and businesses. Pick up food and miscellaneous donations from donors’ and businesses in the San Fernando Valley. Interact with MEND associates including donors and business employees.

Volunteer Impact: Strengthen partnerships and Increase in-kind donation numbers by assisting with off-site pick-up and drop-off service.

Specific Responsibilities: Accompany and assist MEND driver during drop off and/or pick up of donations. Assist in loading donated goods onto truck. Also unload and weigh donated goods with safe and proper placement in mind.  Responsibility include loading and unloading goods by hand or by use of hand trucks at MEND and offsite at donation pick-up locations.  Assist drivers to find donation pick up locations. Properly use unloading techniques to ensure safety of self and others. Assist with unloading of the vehicle at the end of each shift.  Use customer service best practices with donors to ensure consistent quality service.

Skills/Experience/Resources/Certifications Needed: Experience working in warehousing, manufacturing. Customer service experience preferred. Ability to work in fast-paced environment. Positive attitude, Strong customer service, attention to safety. Ability to move 25 pounds. Ability to read driving directions and maps. Good communication and writing skills. Bilingual in English/Spanish preferred.

Dress Code: Wear comfortable, light clothes (i.e. pants, t-shirt) and closed toe shoes. Shoes must provide safe, secure footing. Shorts may be worn under the following conditions: All shorts must fall at the knee, All shorts must be worn at waist level (no ‘sagging’), made of cotton, jean, or ‘Dickies’ type material (no nylon type or running shorts, bicycle type shorts, yoga shorts). Required to wear a medical grade mask and other Personal Protective Equipment that will be provided for the specific role such as gloves, gowns, face shield as instructed by MEND COVID-19 Supervisor.

Time Commitment:  Tuesday/Thursday/ Friday 8am – 12pm, Wednesday 12pm – 3pm

Description of Duties: The Community Engagement Volunteer will provide clerical support to the Gateways Employment Services program. Duties include phone banking services, inviting participants to upcoming program activities, completing data entry, file organization and conducting research for available job postings. 

Impact: The Community Engagement volunteer will help community members in need of employment successfully connect to services that increase job readiness skills and access to local jobs that support them to obtain employment. 

Specific Responsibilities: Engage with community members via phone call to invite them to GES activities including GES orientations, drop-in hours, job readiness workshops, career interest sessions, quarterly job fairs, and partner enrollment sessions. Maintaining detailed notes and records of participant interest lists for respective GES activities. Supporting with data entry and file organization. Maintaining excellent communication with the GES team to provide updates on outreach efforts. Supporting online research of available local job opportunities including updating the GES Job Board weekly.  Supporting with maintaining an organized and tidy area in the Here We Thrive space. 

Skills/Experience/Resources/Certifications Needed: Bi-lingual English/Spanish highly preferred, strong interpersonal communication, strong research skills, proficient in data entry and organization skills.  

Dress Code: Business casual attire (i.e. pants, blouse) and closed toe shoes required. Shoes must provide safe and secure footing.  

Time Commitment:  3-4 hours weekly Tuesday-Friday between 8:30-12:30pm or 1:00-4:30pm 

Covid-19 Vaccination and Masking: MEND follows the LA Public Health Guidelines for COVID-19 cases (isolation) and close contact.  While at MEND masks are optional.  

Short Term Volunteers participate in special events, or plan a shorter-term commitment of less than 3 months in any MEND department. Orientation is not required. *Minors 13-17 years old need to be accompanied by an adult to volunteer.

Group Volunteers participate in special events, or plan a shorter-term commitment in any MEND department. Orientation is not required.

Long-Term Volunteers are committing to a minimum of 3 hours per week and planning to volunteer for a period longer than 3 months. Since these positions often require in-depth training and/or professional certifications, attending orientation is required. Teens ages 16 and older may volunteer on their own.