<font size="2"><b><i>Hey Volunteers, <br><br>For all of those interested in Volunteering with Crisis Nursery, all the information and the forms are attached. If you are interested and have any questions regarding <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Crisis Nursery</span> you can contact our coordinator-- <span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">Katie Webber at <a href="mailto:webber2@illinois.edu">webber2@illinois.edu</a>.<br>
<br><span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"></span></span></span></i></b><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0);"><span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><b><i>I shall be sending out some more information regarding our other agencies soon. <br>
</i></b></span></span></span></font><i><b><br></b></i><div class="gmail_quote"><i><b>
Below is the information that was sent from Meghan, the woman in charge of volunteers at Crisis Nursery and Katie:</b></i><br><br>
<i>Thanks so much for your interest in our organization!<br><br>
I've attached a Crisis Nursery application, background check, DCFS
application, Mandated Reporter form, Confidentiality policy, and our
reference form. Please have 3 people complete a reference form for you
and bring them with you to the orientation you sign up for, along with
the other provided forms. Also attached you will find a medical form.
We need proof of a physical or TB test done within the last year noted
on that form or using your primary Dr.'s form. If you have any
questions, please do not hesitate to ask!<br><br>
Time Commitment:<br>
To maximize your involvement and the benefit to the children, we ask
that you make a commitment of your time for at least 2 hours per week,
ideally for a period of at least 3 months. We have volunteer times
available from 7:00 am-10:00pm 7 days a week.<br><br><br>
Volunteering:<br>
At Crisis Nursery, we believe children should be cared for in an
atmosphere of security and joy, which fosters self-confidence,
independence and growth. Coming from crisis situations the children
need to have their feelings validated so they are able to build a bond
of trust with the caregiver. After this is achieved children can feel
safe to explore their surroundings, which we have made developmentally
appropriate and challenging for each individual child.<br>
The program childcare philosophy encourages the volunteer to model
respectful communication and behavior so that the children become
courageous, cooperative, responsible and confident. Together with other
volunteers and the Crisis Nursery staff, volunteers are responsible for
providing a nurturing, safe environment for children in crisis.
Volunteers and staff must therefore communicate and work together
consistently for the best interests of the children.<br><br>
Qualifications:<br><br>
* Must be willing to make a clear commitment to work a scheduled amount of time.<br>
* Must be 18 years of age.<br>
* Must have proper state forms & fingerprinting completed and on file.<br>
* Must participate in an initial orientation meeting and quarterly ongoing training.<br>
* Have a genuine concern and respect for children.<br>
* Support the philosophy and goals of the Crisis Nursery.<br>
* Have the ability to be non-judgmental towards children and their parents.<br>
* A desire to learn about causes, prevention and treatment of child abuse and neglect.<br>
* Be dependable; assume responsibility of own behavior.<br>
* The ability to be open to suggestions regarding techniques and interaction with children.<br>
* Be sensitive to the needs of the children in care; providing
guidance and gentle, positive interaction and feedback that will build
self-esteem.<br>
* Have good mental and physical health.<br>
* Maintain confidentiality<br><br><br>
Let me know if you have more questions! Thanks for your interest in
Crisis Nursery and the children and families of our community!</i>
<br>
<font color="#888888"><br>
Meghan Rewers | Volunteer Coordinator<br>
1309 W. Hill | Urbana, Illinois 61801-1405<br>
217.337.2731<br>
<a href="mailto:volunteer@crisisnursery.net" target="_blank">volunteer@crisisnursery.net</a><br>
<a href="http://www.crisisnursery.net/" target="_blank">www.crisisnursery.net</a></font><br><br>Meghan does a great job of covering all the information, but I'd like to add a few things. <br><br>Forms:<br>All the forms are attached in case you need copy of them. On the DCFS application under the employment category, check 'other' and fill in 'Volunteer'. Also fill in 'Volunteer' for the 'type of employment' on the mandated reporter form. Any other questions let me know.<br>
<br>Orientation:<br>You need to call Meghan and let her know that you will be attending one of the orientations or to schedule a different one. She's super friendly and will be more than happy to help. Make sure you bring all the completed forms to this orientation. Also, have in mind a couple different times that you would want to volunteer so they can get you started as soon as possible. <br>
<br>TB Test:<br>McKinley offers free TB testing in their Immunization and Travel Clinic. It is open Monday - Friday, 8am-5pm. You can either walk in or make an apt. (I'd make an apt as that will keep you from waiting - call 217-333-2701) For the TB test they give you a tiny shot on your arm. You are then required to come back 2-3 days later to have the shot area accessed. Therefore you cannot get the inital shot on Thursday as you would not be able to come back within the appropriate time limit. Disclaimer - I'm a big baby about shots but this one really wasn't so bad. Also, I totally freaked because my arm turned red, but apparently some irritation is normal, so expect that.<br>
<br>Getting to Crisis Nursery:<br>Crisis Nursery is located at <font style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" color="#888888">1309 W. Hill St. Urbana, Illinois. (<a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=1309+W.+Hill+Street+Urbana,+IL+61801-1409&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=1309+W+Hill+St,+Urbana,+IL+61801&gl=us&ei=cpJ9TMHACo2jnQfP0fmdCw&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBMQ8gEwAA" target="_blank">Crisis Nursery Map)</a></font> This is right behind the Provena Medical Center on University. You can either walk, drive, or catch a bus. <br>
<i>Walking</i> - From Transit Plaza, You just walk north on Wright street, past Springfield Ave. and past University Ave, until you reach Church St. Turn right on Church St. and then take your first Left onto Romine St. You'll be able to see Crisis Nursery on your right.<br>
<i>Driving</i> - The same as walking. There is a parking lot as well as street parking available. <br><i>Buses</i> - I know the 4Blue bus makes a stop at Wright and University which is very close. Or the 22Illini makes a stop at Goodwin and University which is also very close. Or you can just got to <a href="http://www.cumtd.com/" target="_blank">http://www.cumtd.com/</a> and use the trip planner to figure out what works best for you.<br>
<br>After you Start Volunteering:<br>Once you get on the schedule at Crisis Nursery please let me know. I will need to keep a running total of everyone's volunteer time. Since Crisis Nursery is pretty regular I will just assume you went to your 2-hour shift every week unless you tell me otherwise. So if you are ever going to miss a week just let me know. I promise not to scold you for it. :-)<br>
<br>I think I covered everything, but don't hesitate to contact me with any questions.<br><br>Hope everyone has a great rest of the week!<br>Katie Webber<br>VIP Daycare<br>
Crisis Nursery Coordinator<br>217.898.6365<br><br><br><br>
<font size="2"><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 0);"><span><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><b><i>Hope you all have a Good Labor Day Weekend!!!<br><br>Niharika :)<br></i></b></span></span></span></font>
</div><br>-- <br>Niharika Chaudhary<br>University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign<br>Volunteer Illini Projects<br>Day Care Director 2010<br><a href="mailto:vip.daycare@gmail.com">vip.daycare@gmail.com</a><br>