Volunteer Full Time www.franoutreach.org

Our Full-time Volunteer Program provides opportunities for men and women to provide direct service to the homeless. Volunteers work full-time at either our soup kitchen or our emergency overnight shelter and live on-site in private volunteer quarters with up to 12 other volunteers. Our Full-Time volunteer experiences are a great way for college students, recent grads, or those discerning a career change to gain experience in the field of social service and direct ministry with the poor.

We are looking for volunteers for one year terms (12 or 13 months) Volunteers have start dates based on mutual agreement.

All Full Time volunteers have the opportunity to interact directly with our homeless guests and gain insight into the lives of those marginalized in today’s society. By pledging to live simply in a spirit of understanding and love, our volunteers develop a greater commitment to service and solidarity with the poor.

Our volunteers come from all over the world and have a variety of backgrounds. Some have previous volunteer experience; others do not. All desire to learn and grow through loving service and concern for others.

We are seeking:

§ Men and women between the ages of 19 and 65

§ People of all faiths, races and nationalities

§ Individuals willing to live simply as a symbol of solidarity with the poor

§ Openness to learning more about the spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi

We encourage a welcoming spirit of hospitality that respects the dignity of each person regardless of their situation in life. We are looking for mature persons who are willing to share of themselves openly and honestly.

Our goal is to maintain a volunteer staff of 12 individuals. We place 5 volunteers at our shelter and 7 at our soup kitchen.

Full-time volunteer benefits include:

· Opportunities to work directly with homeless persons

· room and board

· a stipend of $200 every month

· two days off per week

Volunteers also receive:

· health, dental, and life insurance after the first 30 days for those volunteering for one year. Benefits for those not making a one-year commitment will be discussed on an individual basis.

· vacation time of two weeks (10 days) for those volunteering for one year. Vacation must be taken in increments, and may not be taken at the end of the term. Vacation time for those not making a one-year commitment will be discussed individually.

· AmeriCorps education award eligibility for US citizens only on a first-come basis, when and if such awards are made available to us by the U.S. government. Call us to ask about our current allocation status.

All volunteers live on-site in volunteer quarters that are separate from our program areas. Each volunteer has a private room. There is a shared bathroom, community room, and kitchen. Volunteers are responsible for keeping their private rooms clean as well as maintaining cleanliness in the common areas. Each volunteer will be assigned a weekly community chore.

Opportunities for spiritual development are provided. These may include communal prayer, retreats, sessions on Franciscan spirituality, and special liturgies. The specific types of spiritual development that are provided will change according to the desires of the community and the availability of staff and guest speakers. While private prayer and reflection is encouraged, volunteers of all or no faith backgrounds and religious traditions are welcomed and respected.

Application Process

If you wish to apply, you must complete the application form on-line.

Volunteers must complete the application form and provide the following:

Three letters of recommendation:

· one from an employer or volunteer supervisor

· one from a teacher, pastor, or mentor

· one from an individual who knows you personally, such as a friend (no family members please)

Certificate of Insurance Coverage. A "Certificate of Insurance Coverage" which shows that you are covered by health insurance for the first 30 days after you begin your term of service. Do not include any medical information or details about your health, only proof of coverage. We only provide insurance after the first 30 days.

Selection Process

Applications are thoroughly reviewed by a team of staff members within 2 weeks of receiving a completed application. Please note that applications will not be reviewed until complete. We will then invite selected candidates to come to our Chicago office for an interview. We will schedule phone interviews with international candidates. Once you have been accepted into our program, we will require a job-related medical exam from a physician stating that you can perform the responsibilities of the job (with accommodation, if necessary).

If you have any questions regarding our volunteer program or the application process, please contact Kendall Grant, Volunteer Coordinator, by email or call her at (773) 278-6724 ext. 16.

All mail should be sent to:

Ms. Kendall Grant

Franciscan Outreach Association

1645 W. LeMoyne St.

Chicago, IL, 60622, USA

Thanks you for your interest in Franciscan Outreach Association

and the work we do.

May God guide you in your discernment process

and bless you always!