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Service-Learning Handout

Ascension Place: www.ascensionplace.org/ Agency Description: Ascension Place is a transitional housing program offering a safe and supportive living environment for women recovering from mental illness, chemical dependency, homelessness and domestic violence. The mission of Ascension Place is to provide women in transition with a stable environment and the opportunity to explore options for their future. Who we serve: We house 32 women. Our target population is single women with mental illness and/or chemical dependency, and histories of homelessness and abuse. They are extremely diverse from their ages and races/ethnicities to their educations and backgrounds. Residents can stay at Ascension Place for as long as they want or need, although the average stay is 7 months. What we do: Our residents each get a private room, three meals a day, and case management. We also offer support groups, opportunities to contribute to the community and learn independent living skills, and artistic and social activities. We utilize principles of Harm Reduction and Intentional Communities to guide our work. Position Description:

1. Chemical Health & Activity, Sunday 1-4 PM or Wednesday 5-8 PM This service-learner would sit in on Chemical Health small group as well as lead one activity during their 3 hour shift. This person needs to have at least two semesters of higher education complete or relevant experience and preferably pursuing psychology or a similar degree. Listening and mediation skills are necessary. If the person feels willing and the Case Manager supervising small group feels confident, the service-learner is welcome to help facilitate group. The activity following or preceding the chemical health group will be up to the service-learner and approved by the Program Enrichment Coordinator. The activity must promote: health & wellness, community, or positive coping skills (i.e.: art therapy). On occasion the Case Manager may require office support around their group that the service-learner will help to complete.

2. Mental Health & Activity, Monday 5-8 PM or Wednesday 11-2 PM This service-learner would sit in on Mental Health small group as well as lead one activity during their 3 hour shift. This person needs to have at least two semesters of higher education complete or relevant experience and preferably pursuing psychology or a similar degree. Listening and mediation skills are necessary. If the person feels willing and the Case Manager supervising small group feels confident, the service-learner is welcome to help facilitate group. The activity following or preceding the mental health group will be up to the

Lake, David Abnormal Psychology

PSYC 2200-90

Fall 2016

www.normandale.edu/cee

952-358-8119

servicelearning@normandale.edu

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service-learner and approved by the Program Enrichment Coordinator. The activity must promote: health & wellness, community, or positive coping skills (i.e.: art therapy). On occasion the Case Manager may require office support around their group that the service-learner will help to complete. How to Apply: Go to: https://ascensionplace.org/volunteer/individual-volunteers/individual-volunteer-application/ Please note all volunteer opportunities are contingent upon a successful interview and background check.

MNCOSA- Minnesota Circles of Support and Accountability

Agency Description: Minnesota Circles of Support and Accountability (MnCoSA) is offered through the Minnesota Department of Corrections. Position description: MnCoSA is based on a successful, internationally-recognized restorative justice model. This opportunity requires a 1 year commitment. A Circle is made up of Circle Members (volunteers) and a Core Member (released individual convicted of a sexual offense).

Circle Member volunteers work in teams of 4-6 with a Core Member and are trained and supported by an Outer Circle of professionals. Circles meet regularly to provide support to the Core Member as s/he begins to lead a responsible, productive, and accountable life while working on reintegration into the community (finding housing, employment, transportation, medical assistance, mental/chemical health care, friendship, and acceptance).

This volunteer opportunity focuses on the successful transition from prison to community for the selected Core Member. As a volunteer, you can expect to interact with Department of Corrections (DOC) professionals, Supervision Agents, and various direct service providers in the community to address the Core Member's barriers to reentry.

Volunteers receive approximately 18 hours of free training prior to beginning circle. Circles start meeting in a correctional facility and then transition out to the community. DOC staff supervision is provided during the time spent in facility, and DOC support is provided throughout the year.

Each MnCoSA Circle lasts approximately one year, with weekly 1-2 hour meetings attended by all MnCoSA members, including the Core Member. Groups typically meet less frequently over time.

Circles are held in either Ramsey or Hennepin County, depending on the Core Member's release plan. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, be willing to undergo a criminal background check, and

cannot be on a current offender's visiting list. Further application criteria can be found on the application form.

We also have two other CoSA programs; On Your Feet! which works with incarcerated individuals with veteran status regardless of offense history; and COLUMNS, which works with life term offenders who have been granted parole.

How to apply: Contact CoSA staff at 651-361-7648 or COSAPrograms.DOC@state.mn.us to acquire an application form.

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Resource- Helping Families in Recovery http://www.resource-mn.org/volunteer/ Agency Description: RESOURCE invests in people to care for themselves and their families. well-being through

recovery, employment, and career advancement. We provide licensed clinical treatment, care coordination,

and recovery support to ensure that successes achieved are long-lasting. Our workforce development services

include: assessment, credentialed career training, education placement, job search assistance, placement,

retention & follow-up services, and wrap around support services.

Position Description:

There are opportunities within the chemical health division to help within the Mothers Achieving Recovery for

Family Unity program. This program allows mothers who are in need of chemical health services to remain

united with their children while utilizing our treatment and recovery maintenance services. Resource's family

services are also designed to help educate the mothers about parenting, childhood development, and healthy

families. Volunteers in this area must have experience working with children.

Childhood Development Assistants- are needed for morning programming designed to prepare children ages

infant to 5 years old for kindergarten. Volunteers interact with children one-on-one or in small groups

completing short lessons based around developing cognitive skills, motor skills, and creativity. 3-4 hour/

week.

Available in Minneapolis. Mornings, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm, Mon-Fri.

Specific available shifts may vary based on current volunteer schedules. 3 month commitment.

Children's Activities Assistants- needed in the afternoon to interact with youth in our family program while

mothers engage in a parenting workshop. Volunteers could work in youth from infant to high school aged, but

more commonly volunteers help with the infant to 5 year old group. Activities may include homework, play,

games, crafts, reading, etc. 2 ½ to 3 hour/week.

Available in Minneapolis. Every Monday or Tuesday afternoon from 3:30 to 6:00 pm. 3 month commitment.

Celebrating Families- curriculum is currently looking for Thursday volunteers to assist with leading activities

for children in the youngest age group (0-5 yr old). This curriculum is a 16 week lesson plan that we will rotate

- we require that volunteers in this opportunity make the 16 week commitment or if begin in the middle of the

rotation to commit to at least that session, preferably the following as well. Available in Minneapolis. Every

Thursday from 4:30 to 7:00 pm.

Minimum of 16 week commitment.

Training Division

Classroom Assistant/ Lab Assistant- Our training division to help adult students in both beginner and advanced Microsoft Office Suite courses. Students are adults of varying ages and abilities. Volunteer must be fluent and able to clearly give instructions on Microsoft Office 2010 products - may be asked to take an assessment before beginning to volunteer. Volunteers assist staff members in computer lab or classroom setting to ensure students receive the amount of attention they need. Duties include but aren't limited to: Assist adult learners with computers, programs, procedures, and projects related to their specific class. Other tasks may be given by instructor.

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Our Community Support Programs (CSP) serve people with serious and persistent mental illness. To volunteer

in a CSP you must have knowledge or experience working with people with a mental illness. Minimum 3 month

commitment.

Drop -In Volunteers interact with members during drop-in or social/recreation programming. Volunteers

could do a number of things from playing board games and card games to playing pool or ping-pong to

attending one of the planned activities to encourage member participation. Opportunities may be available in

Minneapolis, Bloomington, and Crystal. Weekday afternoons. More information on the volunteering in our

drop- in centers and to apply please contact staff listed below – depending on the location you are interested

in.

How to Apply: To apply for any of the following please visit our website at www.resource-

mn.org/volunteer/volunteer-profile to submit your volunteer application.

Fairview Hospital Psychiatric Unit

Mission: Fairview is driven to heal, discover and educate for longer, healthier lives Agency Description: We are a nonprofit, integrated health system providing exceptional health care across the full spectrum of health care services. In partnership with the University of Minnesota, our 22,000-plus employees and 2,500 employed and aligned physicians embrace innovation and new thinking to drive a healthier future through healing, discovery and education. With over 40 volunteer positions to choose from, our volunteers enhance the patient and family experience, support hospital operations. Volunteer time, talent and compassion help Fairview deliver quality care to the patients and guests that walk through our doors. Position Description: With a wide variety of volunteer positions available, Fairview has something that will fit your interests. Some of the general areas include: hospitality/information, recovery rooms, comfort services, support/admin, and hospital unit volunteers. Shifts are generally Monday-Friday between 8am and 4pm, with some evening and weekend options available. A 3-4 hour weekly shift and 50 hour commitment is required. A couple benefits to volunteering include free parking in the hospital ramp and a $6 meal ticket to use in the cafeteria. How to Apply: Adult applications can be submitted electronically. To apply please visit: http://www.fairview.org/Hospitals/Southdale/About/VolunteerServices/index.htm Click on the online application link and the adult reference forms. We ask that you print and submit 1-2 references. After we receive your application and one reference we will call you to schedule an interview. If you have any questions please contact the volunteer office, 952-924-5020.

Vail Place

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Agency Description: Vail Place is an innovative, award-winning mental health program with a 34 year history of growth and service to adults with mental illnesses in the Twin Cities through Community Support Programming and individual Case Management. The Community Support Program follows the Clubhouse model of recovery, focusing on two vital aspects of the recovery journey: meaningful work and meaningful relationships. This program strives to provide comprehensive social, employment, and housing services to help members develop the tools, skills, and opportunities to build a community of support and reconnect with the broader community. Check out www.vailplace.org for more information on Vail Place and www.iccd.org for more information on the Clubhouse model of recovery.

Job Description:

Volunteers in the Clubhouse program can be involved in a variety of ways. Some volunteers bring something they are passionate about into the Vail Place community—hosting a certain activity, craft, or class that they enjoy (ideas have ranged from painting to nutrition classes to scrapbooking to financial literacy education). Other volunteers come in for a portion of the day—helping to engage members in the work of the Club or assisting with the social recreation activities in the evenings and/or weekends. Vail Place volunteers enjoy jumping in and learning new things each day, getting to know new faces, and spending time with a diverse community. How to Apply: Download an application from www.normandale.edu/cee; go to “Key Partners” and select “Vail Place.” Send completed application to Carrie Framsted at cframsted@vailplace.org. Call (952-945-4260) or email with questions.

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