[OldNorth] Fwd: IRWS Newsletter- Opening Day!

[sheryl lynn gerety]

The Cold Weather Shelter is now in operation.  The City Council  
reviewed the MOU between the D Street Neighbors and the Community  
Church and sheltering operations on its property.  If you read the  
section titled Changes you will see the practical implementation of  
the agreements brokered among the various concerned parties.

Sheryl



Begin forwarded message:

> From: Bill Habicht <bill at dccpres.org>
> Date: November 30, 2009 2:55:27 PM PST
> To: winterety at sbcglobal.net
> Subject: IRWS Newsletter- Opening Day!
> Reply-To: bill at dccpres.org
>
>
> Dear IRWS Volunteer,
>
> The Interfaith Rotating Winter Shelter has officially opened!  In  
> our first night of the 2009-2010 season, we served 19 guests, and  
> increase of 13 from last year's opening night.  Thank-you everyone  
> for your help in making it run so smoothly.
>
> Below you will find information to assist congregations and  
> volunteers as we continue serving together.  We look forward to a  
> fantastic year!
>
> Peace,
> Bill Habicht
> IRWS Co-Chair
>
> Important Forms
>
> The IRWS is currently uploading forms and training materials to the  
> IRWS website.  Some of the more utilized materials are listed  
> below.  You can either click on the forms below OR visit the website  
> to access all available materials.
>
> 1.  Volunteer Training
> 2.  Important Numbers
> 3.  Dealing with Difficult Situations
> 4.  On-Call Schedule
> 5.  Online Sign-up Instructions
>
> In This Issue
> Important Forms
> Just ONE Overnight
> Changes This Season
> Special Training
> IRWS T-shirts
>
>
>
> Donate
> The IRWS invites you to support this community-wide, interfaith  
> program.
>
>
>
> 100% of your donation goes to the IRWS.  There are no transaction or  
> operating fees involved.
>
> Just ONE Overnight
>
> Overnighters... it's one of the most important roles we have and yet  
> one of the most difficult to fill.  As the end of the university  
> quarter draws near, our pool of overnight staff (often students)  
> dwindles.
>
> Without overnight staffing, the shelter cannot operate.  If you're  
> able to give up Just ONE night of your time, the shelter can  
> continue without interruption.  It's an uneventful (but rewarding!)  
> opportunity.  Please consider signing up for a night.  YOU can make  
> all the difference!
>
> Bring a sleeping bag and pillow.  We'll provide the cot.  To sign-up  
> click HERE.
>
> Changes This Season
> We have made some important changes to the shelter this season.   
> These changes were made in response to your feedback last year as  
> well as input from guests.  Some of the changes you might notice  
> include:
>
> Badges:  Badges were created to help you identify Staff, Interns and  
> Congregational Leaders.  Please approach anyone wearing a badge with  
> any questions or concerns you might have.
> Interns:  Twelve UC Davis Interns have joined the IRWS team.  The  
> Interns will be present most, if not all, evenings.  The Interns  
> have received special training to assist congregations in shelter  
> operations.
> Cots:  We have upgraded from inflatable mattresses to sturdy cots  
> for guests to utilize.  No more deflated mattresses to worry about.
> On-Call Staff:  On-call staff support is available 24/7.  The on- 
> call schedule can be found here.
> Communication:  The IRWS website now has an easy way to communicate  
> with the IRWS Core Team via communication boxes.
> Multiple Volunteer Trainings:  Missed the volunteer training at your  
> congregation?  No problem.  You can attend a volunteer training at  
> another congregation!  Just visit the IRWS Calendar to see when and  
> where.
>
> Special Training
> How to Interact with Guests
>
>     Are you uncomfortable with the idea of working with homeless  
> guests?
>
>                   Do you have questions about how to interact?
>
> Two of the greatest obstacles people face when working with  
> individuals living homeless is unfamiliarity and fear.  These are  
> not something to be ashamed of, but instead, they offer an  
> opportunity for personal growth.
>
> This SPECIAL TRAINING, facilitated by the Director of Grace-in- 
> Action, Cindy Burger, is intended to equip you with the knowledge  
> and skills to interact with those living homeless on a one-to-one  
> level.  This is an optional offering that provides more in-depth  
> training on guest interaction than the general volunteer trainings.
>
>      When:    Tuesday, Dec. 1st @ 12:00pm
>                    Tuesday, Dec. 15th @ 7:00pm
>
>      Where:  Grace House (441 D Street)
>
>  If you are interested in this offering, please sign-up online at:
> www.wejoinin.com/irws
>
> For more information: cindyb at grace-in-action.org
>
>
> IRWS T-Shirts
> IRWS t-shirts will soon be available for purchase.  Here's the skinny:
> 1.  Volunteers can purchase shirts when the shelter is at your  
> congregation.
> 2.  Interns and IRWS staff will be sporting black IRWS t-shirts to  
> make help make them more visible on-site (volunteer shirts will be a  
> different color).
> 3.  The t-shirts will help to promote the IRWS and homelessness  
> awareness in the community.
>
>
>
> Forward email
>
> This email was sent to winterety at sbcglobal.net by bill at dccpres.org.
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> Interfaith Rotating Winter Shelter of Davis | 412 C Street | Davis |  
> CA | 95616
>

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