CHR | Volunteer Opportunity

Make a Difference in the Life of a Baby, Phone Support for First-time Parents The Nurturing Families Network, a collaborative effort of Community Health Resources and Johnson Memorial Hospital, is currently seeking community volunteers to provide phone support and mailings to first-time parents. Nurturing Family Volunteers assist parents with babies up to the age of six months by providing prenatal and post-partum education on child development, health and wellness. They also facilitate connections between the family and community by making appropriate referrals to necessary services. Members of the Nurturing Families Network prepare volunteers for this important role by providing five hours of initial training, including the Johnson Memorial Hospital orientation, as well as monthly formal supervision, either by phone or in person (about one hour). Volunteers are required to participate in bi-monthly meetings/trainings with other volunteers (1.5 hours) and are assigned a caseload of one to three new mothers. Weekly phone calls to each of the assigned mothers last from 15 minutes to one hour and can be made from home, Johnson Memorial Hospital or a Community Health Resources office. Volunteers are asked to maintain a brief record of their calls and to complete the necessary paperwork once a case is closed. The average weekly time commitment ranges from two to five hours. Phone supervision and guidance are available as needed. By providing free guidance, assistance and support, the Nurturing Families Network strives to alleviate the overwhelming stress experienced by some first-time parents and in doing so, reduce the incidence of child abuse or neglect. If you would like to participate or learn more, please contact Diana Thibodeau at (860) 253-5020 extension 139. In the best interest of participating parents, each volunteer applicant must submit three references, undergo a criminal background check and be screened by the Department of Children and Families. Applicants are also required to undergo a TB test and provide a physicians note of no communicable disease. ~~~~~~~
Be a Friend The "Friend to Friend" Program is looking for volunteers to befriend adults living in their home communities who are recovering from mental illness. Volunteers spend 2 to 4 hours per week with a partner, sharing activities as such as going shopping, bowling, or attending a movie or baseball game. Volunteers are not expected to provide counseling to their partners, nor are they expected to give their partners money or other items. They are only expected to offer their time and friendship--two important and generous gifts. For additional information, please contact Malika Jonas at 860-646-3888, extension 309. ~~~~~~~

Make a Difference in the Life of a Baby, Phone Support for First-time Parents

The Nurturing Families Network, a collaborative effort of Community Health Resources and Johnson Memorial Hospital, is currently seeking community volunteers to provide phone support and mailings to first-time parents.

Nurturing Family Volunteers assist parents with babies up to the age of six months by providing prenatal and post-partum education on child development, health and wellness. They also facilitate connections between the family and community by making appropriate referrals to necessary services.

Members of the Nurturing Families Network prepare volunteers for this important role by providing five hours of initial training, including the Johnson Memorial Hospital orientation, as well as monthly formal supervision, either by phone or in person (about one hour). Volunteers are required to participate in bi-monthly meetings/trainings with other volunteers (1.5 hours) and are assigned a caseload of one to three new mothers. Weekly phone calls to each of the assigned mothers last from 15 minutes to one hour and can be made from home, Johnson Memorial Hospital or a Community Health Resources office. Volunteers are asked to maintain a brief record of their calls and to complete the necessary paperwork once a case is closed. The average weekly time commitment ranges from two to five hours. Phone supervision and guidance are available as needed.

By providing free guidance, assistance and support, the Nurturing Families Network strives to alleviate the overwhelming stress experienced by some first-time parents and in doing so, reduce the incidence of child abuse or neglect. If you would like to participate or learn more, please contact Diana Thibodeau at (860) 253-5020 extension 139.

In the best interest of participating parents, each volunteer applicant must submit three references, undergo a criminal background check and be screened by the Department of Children and Families. Applicants are also required to undergo a TB test and provide a physicians note of no communicable disease.

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Be a Friend

The "Friend to Friend" Program is looking for volunteers to befriend adults living in their home communities who are recovering from mental illness. Volunteers spend 2 to 4 hours per week with a partner, sharing activities as such as going shopping, bowling, or attending a movie or baseball game. Volunteers are not expected to provide counseling to their partners, nor are they expected to give their partners money or other items. They are only expected to offer their time and friendship--two important and generous gifts.

For additional information, please contact Malika Jonas at 860-646-3888, extension 309.

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