This is a great need that has to be filled NOW because Covid-19 has kept many of the regular chaperones (students from Cal Poly and Cuesta College) away from SLO County.
St. William’s parishioners have been volunteering at ECHO Homeless Shelter for years. They need us now more than ever. Please see the links below for more information about ECHO and specifically information about being an Overnight Chaperone. The information is comprehensive and will answer all of your questions. In addition, you probably have some extra questions due to Covid-19 and hopefully the information below will put your mind at ease.
At ECHO the health and safety of our clients, volunteers, and staff are always our top priority. We understand there are growing concerns around Coronavirus (COVID-19) so we wanted to update our community on some options for continuing to support ECHO during this time.
Overnight Chaperone (individual or pair opportunity): Two volunteers are needed each night from 5:30pm-7am (13.5 hours) to supervise the facility and work in a supportive role with shelter residents. Chaperone duties include: Serving dinner, leading children's activities, checking clients in for the evening, and offering gereral support/assistance as needed. Chaperones take turns sleeping in shifts, with one chaperone awake at all times. Start/end time can be flexible. Volunteers can start as late as 9:00pm and leave as early as 5:00am if needed (time adjustments must be discussed in advance). Must enjoy working in a supportive role with others. Available shift dates will vary. Volunteers will undergo orientation/training during their first shift. Please see overnight chaperone info flyer attached for more details.
COVID19 Procedures:
At ECHO, the health and safety of our clients, volunteers, and staff remain our top priority.
Below are ECHO's hygiene precautions in response to COVID19:
If you are feeling unwell, we ask that you stay home and rest. Let us know if you need to cancel your shift at your earliest convenience.
Hand washing stations are located at all 3 entrances of the building. Everyone must wash their hands with soap and water before entering the building.
Hand sanitizer stations are located throughout the shelter and dining room.
Staff, volunteers, and residents are using alcohol-based sanitizing wipes to sanitize all frequently used handrails, doorknobs, tables, chairs, appliances, etc once an hour.
Brezden Pest Control does a proper sanitation of the shelter weekly with non-toxic disinfectant.
If you are able, please wear the provided gloves and face mask for the duration of your shift. If wearing these items is an issue for you, please reach out to discuss alternatives.
Volunteers and staff are using a no-touch thermometer to take all client temperatures twice daily.
For the time being, our community dinner program will be served in to-go boxes. To encourage social distancing, all dinner guests are asked to leave the property once they've received their meal box.
We currently have less than 30 residents living at the shelter to increase social distancing.
We've received 2 trailers from the county to isolate clients should anyone find themselves feeling ill. We have not had any shelter residents show any symptoms or test positive for the virus.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Contact: Raychel Nowak: 805-539-7858 or Rnowak@echoshelter.org
We cannot thank you enough for supporting ECHO during this time! WE rely on over 1,500 volunteers annually to help keep ECHO's doors open. Every person who volunteers is providing a critical service that so many of our clients and guests depend on, especially during the COVID19 pandemic. Any amount of donated food, money, or time is greatly needed and appreciated!
Does this sound like a CONNECTION you would like to add to your life? If so, please fill out the Sign-Up Form to sign-up and/or learn more about this CONNECTION.
In addition, due to the strong need for chaperones at this time, please call Raychel Nowak, Volunteer Coordinator & Community Outreach at ECHO, directly at 805-539-7858 or email her at Rnowak@echoshelter.org to volunteer and/or ask additional questions.