We are glad to have you as a Volunteer with Champions Community Foundation! The following can help make your volunteer experience the best it can be!

HERE ARE SOME THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN YOU ARE VOLUNTEERING:

  • Always sign in and out with the person in charge

  • Always wear a name tag and dress appropriately

  • Be prepared to follow all COVID-related procedures (masks, hand washing, social distancing)

  • Be respectful — treat everyone with respect, courtesy and dignity

  • Be responsible — complete the tasks assigned to you 

  • Be present — please refrain from cell phone use while volunteering

  • Be discerning — ask for help or clarity when you don’t know what to do

ETIQUETTE FOR INTERACTIONS WITH A PERSON WITH DISABILITIES

 A basic understanding of disability etiquette can help make you feel more comfortable when interacting with a person with disabilities and can help prevent awkward situations. The best thing to remember is that people with disabilities are just like you. They are smart, funny, and caring and would love to engage in interesting conversations about music, sports, gaming, fashion, food, and more — just like you. Rely on common sense to guide your interactions and behave in the same courteous and respectful way that you would with anyone, you’ll soon see for yourself that they are just like you.

  • Don’t ask questions about a person’s disability unless it is brought up by the individual

  • If you offer assistance, wait until the offer is accepted. Then listen to or ask for instructions

  • Speak directly to the person

  • Don’t be afraid to ask questions when you are unsure of what to do

  • When introduced to a person with a disability, greet them as you would anyone else

  • Treat adults as adults

It’s OK to Just Ask….

  • If you think individual needs help, JUST ASK before you provide assistance. They have chosen to live in an environment that fosters independence and self reliance.

  • Don’t assume someone’s limitation. If you don’t know, JUST ASK.

  • You may have trouble understanding what a person with physical disabilities says. If you cannot understand, it’s ok to JUST ASK them to repeat themselves — they don’t mind. You could also ask a caregiver, another resident, or a staff member for help as well. 

SPECIFICS WHEN VOLUNTEERING AT CHAMPIONS PLACE

  • In the event of an emergency, obey all directives from the Staff-in-Charge and do not leave the premises until the Staff-in-Charge has accounted for all individuals and you are cleared to leave.

  • Champions Place is a smoke-free/vape-free/drug-free environment.

  • Champions Place is under 24-hour video surveillance, both inside and outside the residence.

  • Volunteers are asked to stay in the main common areas of the residence (main living room/kitchen and outdoor areas). If your volunteer role requires you be in the one of the four common living areas (“quads”), please ask a staff member for permission to do so.

  • At no time is a volunteer allowed to enter a resident’s suite.