VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Hospice of Humboldt is a non-profit organization. We provide end of life and bereavement services to all, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay. We rely on the enormous contributions volunteers make throughout our agency to help support the services we provide. Many volunteers are family members of patients served by Hospice who want to help others receive the same support and care they and their loved ones received. Others are people of all ages and walks of life who want to contribute to our community.
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Hospice offers many avenues to be of service. Whether it is sorting clothes to sell at the Hospice Shop, or playing chess with an elderly patient, our volunteers tell us that they receive tremendous personal satisfaction from helping others.
Patient care volunteers are specifically trained to provide emotional support, companionship, assistance with practical tasks, and limited personal care when the caregiver or family members take a break. Volunteers can be assigned for ongoing contact or may be used for one-time support. A patient care volunteer adds to the comfort and quality of our patients and families lives.
Patient care volunteers are valued members of the Hospice Care Team; they provide a perspective that is critical in assessing how Hospice can best serve the needs of patients and their families and caregivers.
Extensive training is required and at the completion of training volunteers are asked for a one year commintment to spending at least two hours a week helping our patients. Participation in four hours a year of continuing education, provided by Hospice, is required. If you are interested in volunteering as a Patient Care Volunteer, download and complete the application here, and return it to Hospice; you will be contacted. The Patient Care Volunteer Coordinator will contact you about the training process and times.
Grief Support Services Volunteers receive extensive training to facilitate one of our many grief support groups or workshops. This dedicated group of volunteers assists Hospice in delivering a core service, vital to not only Hospice families, but to the community at large as any person in grief may attend our groups and workshops.
At the completion of training, volunteers are asked for a one year commitment to spending at least two hours a week helping our patients. If you are interested in volunteering as a Grief Support Services Volunteer, download and complete the application
here, and return it to Hospice. The Grief Support Services Volunteer Coordinator will contact you about the training process and times.
Hospice Grief Support Services is especially interested in talking with experienced Grief Support Group leaders who may be considering volunteering. For more information, contact Mary Issacson, Grief Support Services Manager at 707-445-8443.
Volunteer Vigil Program schedules trained Patient Care Volunteers to sit with patients during their final hours. Volunteers may provide companionship by simply being present with the patient, playing soft music, providing a gentle touch of comfort or offering prayer if it is requested. Volunteers treat the patient with dignity and respect. They are trained to alert the Hospice of Humboldt medical staff to any problems or concerns that might arise.
Patients in skilled nursing facilities or residential care facilities who have no friends or family members able to be at their bedside may be considered for this program. We realize that even if there is family in the area, they may not be able to be present with the patient and vigil volunteers may be needed. We will respect that many families are comfortable with a patient being alone, especially if they are confident in the care at the facility.
If you have further questions about this wonderfully compassionate program, please contact Dennice Stone at 707-445-8443.
Office volunteers help with clerical and administrative activities by copying and putting together packets of information, filing, inputting information into databases, assembling patient handbooks, and so on. Office volunteers are important members of the Hospice support team and usually work a regular weekly schedule. If you are interested in volunteering as an Office Volunteer, download and complete the application here, and return it to Hospice; you will be contacted. Office Volunteers are interviewed by the person directly supervising your work. They will provide you with an orientation and necessary training.
Hospice Auxiliary Volunteers provide clerical and fundraising assistance with specific events like Light Up a Life and their annual Soup and Salad Luncheon. They also make a social event of preparing mailings for the Outreach Department several times a year. This is an ideal group to join with a friend. If you are interested in volunteering as a Hospice Auxiliary Volunteer and joining this outgoing social group of women, download and complete the application here, and return it to Hospice; you will be contacted.
Hospice Shop Volunteers help make a difference in the lives of hospice patients and families by volunteering 4 hours a week at the Hospice Shop. Volunteers provide help with clerking, bagging, sewing, laundry, sorting, making displays, and much more. The Hospice Shop is located 575 H St., Arcata and proceeds from the Hospice Shop help support the services of Hospice of Humboldt. If you are interested in volunteering as a Hospice Shop Volunteer and joining this group of dedicated volunteers in a fun and fast paced environment, download and complete the application here, and return it to Hospice; you will be contacted.Hospice Shop volunteers are interviewed by the person directly supervising your work. They will provide you with an orientation and necessary training.
Board of Directors for Hospice of Humboldt is a 501(c)(3) organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. New Board members are elected by the Board and serve three year terms. The Board meets once a month, with the potential of committee meetings between full Board meetings. Standard Committees include Budget and Finance, Quality and Compliance; Human Resources. Additional ad hoc committees are formed as needs arise. If you are interested in exploring the possibility of becoming a Hospice Board Member during this exciting period of dynamic growth, please contact us by phone at 707-445-8443.
