The vibrancy of our community and scope of volunteering are reflected in both our Residential Homes and our Day Program. Stanton Home has a team of 70+ dedicated professionals who partner with and provide support to over 20 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These adults live in residential homes in the Berkshires and come together for an active Day Program with on-site activities including organic gardening, composting, music, yoga, hiking, weaving, culinary arts, and various activities throughout the local community including horseback riding, swimming and pottery.
Stanton Home has been providing care for adults with diverse needs since 1986. Volunteers serve as a part of the Residential Life at Stanton Home as well as in our Day Program. Volunteers assist with daily living activities and the direct care necessary for the health, safety, and well-being of the people we support.
Stanton Home has six residential homes. Each home is unique to the individuals who live there. Volunteers play an active role in the rhythms and routines of residential daily life. There are things to be done from dawn to bedtime.
Volunteers are an important part of each residential team (along with house managers, case managers and staff) that supports the day-to-day household operations and plans together to best balance the contributions and needs of everyone. A volunteer’s residential duties and responsibilities support individual needs and encourage individual independence:
● Companionship - As companions, volunteers build relationships by living together in the house and sharing day-to-day lived experiences. To enrich relationships, volunteers engage in hobbies and activities based on residents’ interests. Volunteers are encouraged to share their own talents with residents as well. As a group, households attend cultural events, potlucks and other planned gatherings to join and celebrate as a community.
● Direct Care - Volunteers assist with the daily living activities which support the day to day activities of the residents of the house as well as the overall running of the household (for example doing laundry, dusting and cleaning, shopping, preparing meals and baking, providing rides to appointments).
● Personal care - Volunteers support the personal care of our residents. Personal care means assisting with the health and hygiene of individuals (for example dressing, washing, bathing, brushing teeth, and mobility support). The level of personal care required depends upon the unique needs of each resident.
Day Program
Day Program duties and responsibilities focus on building occupational and social skills. The Day Program supports the interests of a wide range of individuals, both from Stanton Home and the extended special needs community. Day Program activities include hiking, gardening, culinary, weaving, music and other activities such as swimming, therapeutic horseback riding and therapeutic art and dance classes held at community partnership organizations. A focus is on supporting individuals in achieving goals and building positive social relationships.
Training: Volunteers receive support and supervision from the Volunteer Coordinator, House Managers, Case Managers, staff and other administrative staff. Additionally, the Volunteer Coordinator may act as on-site mentor and inter-cultural liaison. Volunteers participate in the following mandatory trainings:
● Orientation - to become familiar with procedures, key properties and complete necessary paperwork.
● Initial Training - to learn about the history of Stanton Home, mission and values; to understand regulations, policies and protocols including: HIPAA, professional boundaries, medical and behavioral emergencies, fire safety, incident reporting, minor injury protocol, health observation guidelines, mandated reporting, etc.
● Residential Training - shadowing House Manager and staff in residential life including: schedules, routines, meals, activities, general household rules, personal care, medicine distribution (if applicable), safety and documentation.
● Certifications - online training and certifications for First Aid, CPR and bloodborne pathogens.
Schedule: Volunteers are scheduled for approximately 40 hours per week, as outlined in the volunteer contract. This schedule includes both Residential hours and Day Program hours, morning, afternoon, evening, overnight shifts weekdays and weekends. Volunteers receive 2 days off each week and accrue 2 days of vacation for each month of volunteer service completed. Vacation requires prior approval.
Important Qualities: A caring mindset, empathy and compassion. Enthusiasm and eagerness to learn. A team oriented approach and the commitment to developing positive relationships with residents, program participants, staff and other volunteers. Dependable, professional and task-oriented.
Requirements: Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, speak at least intermediate English and have a valid driver's license permitting driving in the US is required. Volunteers need to have a phone with an active plan to make and receive calls within the United States. The cost of maintaining a calling plan is a volunteer's responsibility.
Additional Information: English Language tutoring is available locally.
Pocket Money: A set monthly stipend is provided to volunteers to help cover personal and incidental expenses.