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.

"How does one normalize the death of a loved one, the roller coaster of emotion with highs and lows coming at every turn, at every moment? How do you make sense of the anger, sorrow, and tears? For us, the answer was hospice." -Tim Martin, family member of a hospice patient

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. See our calendar for the next scheduled patient care volunteer training and click here for an application to become a patient care volunteer.

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.

Bereavement volunteers are specifically trained to co-facilitate our many grief support groups. See our calendar for the next scheduled training and click here for an application to become a bereavement volunteer.

Hospice is looking for additional people to facilitate grief support groups. If you have ever lead a support group, have experience in this type of activity and are interested in helping Hospice in this way, please call Sheri Whitt, Manager of Bereavement Services at 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.

Auxiliary volunteers. The Hospice Auxiliary is a group of dedicated volunteers who help with special events such as Light Up a Life, and their annual Soup and Salad lunch. They also make a party of stuffing envelopes for mailings several times a year. The group gets together irregularly, but has a lot of fun. If you are interested in become a Hospice Auxiliary member, please give us a call at 707-445-8443 or email us.

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.

Board of Directors. 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 several committee meetings between full Board meetings. If you are interested in exploring the possibility of becoming a Board member, please contact us by phone at 707-445-8443 or by email.

How to Become a Volunteer

You may download our volunteer application. Return the completed application to Hospice of Humboldt at 2010 Myrtle Avenue, Eureka, CA 95501.

Becoming a Hospice Shop Volunteer or Office Volunteer requires an interview with the person who will directly supervise your work. That person will also provide you with an orientation and any training that you may need. Hospice Shop Volunteers work in Arcata, and Office Volunteers help at our office in Eureka.

Becoming a Patient Care Volunteer or Bereavement Group Facilitator requires more extensive training and screening. Please see our calendar for the next scheduled training sessions. At the end of the training, volunteers are asked to make a one year commitment to spending at least two hours per week helping our patients or the bereaved. Participation in four hours a year of continuing education is required.