DESIGNATIONS

This is a piece I wrote for other work purposes, but I figured it would be nice to know some of the terminology constantly thrown around this blog.

People who enter the Champion Guidance Center (“the Center”) of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Alameda County (“the Society") may be categorized as follows:
Guest – An individual who desires to receive the emergency drop-in services offered by the Center: shower, laundry, hygiene items, coffee, clothing, referrals and bus passes. Guests can also enter to receive more rigorous assistance such as enrollment in the Homeless Court Program and attendance at AA and NA meetings.

Homeless Court Guest – An individual who desires assistance such as enrollment in the Homeless Court Program.

Recovery Guest/Sponsor – An individual who desires to attend at AA and NA meetings and/or is working as a sponsor with one of the men and attendance at AA and NA meetings.

Member – An individual, who has completed the member application process, understands and agrees to all of the Guidance Center social agreements including rules of conduct and expectations of participation, and desires the opportunity to return regularly for services.

Speaker – A guest of the Center as a speaker at one of the Recovery Meetings; an individual or group providing a service or introducing the men to new resources in the community; someone hosting a Job Readiness or Life skills, or any kind of spiritual workshop leader or individual mentor.

Intern – A former member who has made a commitment to help work at the center. Internships are three months long, are not paid and are facilitated by the Helpdesk Coordinators.

Volunteers – committed participants from one or more of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Conferences or District Council volunteer programs or Interns who have shown a steady commitment to the center. Interns who “graduate” to volunteers after three months often receive and sign a plaque which is posted on the walls of the center. Individuals remain volunteers indefinitely. Volunteers receive significant attention from the center in the form of job readiness: they are usually employed in the Champion Workforce and try to gain long-term employment both inside and outside of St. Vincent de Paul.

Helpdesk Coordinators – Individuals who are employed by the Champion Guidance Center on a six month stabilized work and mentorship agreement to facilitate the day-to-day emergency services. Helpdesk coordinators, usually two, facilitate a staff of interns and volunteers to provide the services. Helpdesk coordinators provide coordination and vouchers to allow Guests to purchase clothing and other items at the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store. All vouchers must be approved and signed by JV or Center Manager.

Champion Workforce – Employees of St. Vincent de Paul who are graduates of the intern program. (The help desk coordinators, volunteers, and interns are often a part of the workforce, but may not be). Individuals not included in these categories may also be members of the workforce pending appropriate completion of all proper human resources paperwork.

Jesuit Volunteer – Administrative staff assisting the Manager and Helpdesk coordinator as necessary.

Manager –Program Manager of the Center.