Volunteer and Internship Opportunities
InnVision Clara-Mateo Alliance
Types of volunteer opportunities: Group volunteering – service learning at a homeless shelter
Agency and location: InnVision Clara Mateo Alliance, 795 Willow Rd., Bldg 323-D, Menlo Park, CA; on the grounds of the Menlo Park VA Health Care Center; http://www.innvision.org
Contact person and info: Trina Lovercheck, 650-853-7066 x205; tlovercheck@innvision.org
Benefits to student (skills and exposure to careers): Learn about homelessness and homeless shelter resources; Provide direct client service; Build team-building skills; Gain exposure to a social services work environment
Site looking for students interested in: Providing direct services to individuals who are homeless; Cooking, nutrition and team-building
Education and age of desired intern/volunteer: High school: 16-18 yrs. with 1 adult chaperone for every 6-10 high school students; College: 18 yrs. +
Description of opportunity and duties: A group of 6-10 students (with 1 adult if they are high school students) cook a nutritious and tasty dinner meal serving 50 residents in the homeless shelter. The group must cook the food off-site and bring it to the shelter. A sample meal might be: a main dish which can serve many (i.e. lasagna or chili), a salad, fruit and a dessert. Dinners are served every night between 6-7pm. Upon delivery of the meal, students would then serve the meal to the residents buffet style. To support the dinner service, the students would also provide paper plates, cups, napkins, and plastic silverware. During their volunteering, students will receive an overview of the homeless shelter and information about homelessness.
Type of health care settings:
- Alternative: Homeless shelter
Experience type: Volunteer event
Duration and time of commitment: one-time group event
Application Process: Contact Trina Lovercheck. Discuss dinner menu and date. Confirm event date and details.
Requirements and qualifications needed: Must be able to provide food and supplies, cook food off-site and bring food to shelter. High school students must have 1 adult chaperone for every 6-10 students.
Patient populations (i.e. children, seniors): Adults, families
Amount of patient contact: High level of interaction with residents
Site’s prior experience with high school students: various groups including high school students bringing meals
Willingness to work with high schools: Yes
Liability issues (relevant if part of internship vs. job shadowing): Not relevant because of presence of chaperones for high school students
Location: Menlo Park VA Health Care Center
Transportation options: Sam Trans Bus 296 comes to the VA from the Menlo Park Caltrain/Bus station