NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATION FOR SPRING VOLUNTEERS!!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I volunteer my time helping at the shelter?
What is the minimum amount of time I need to dedicate if I want to volunteer in the Women's Shelter?
What experience is required for volunteering in the shelter?
What will I be doing if I volunteer in the Women's Shelter?
What are the benefits of volunteering in the Women's Shelter?
Is it safe to live and work in the 9th Ward?
What are some of the challenges of volunteering in the Women's Shelter?
What training will be provided if I volunteer in the Women's Shelter?
Who do I contact for more information about volunteering in the Women's Shelter?
Can I volunteer my time helping at the shelter?
We have limited opportunities for short term volunteers at the shelter due to concerns for privacy and confidentiality. Most on-site needs are handled by our permanent staff.
But you can help by raising awareness and funds within your own community or social group that can be used by NOWS. Funds can be directed towards general operating funds or specific programming such as our Children's Support Activities; Women's Programming; Facilities Upgrades (new furniture, computers, appliances, linens, etc.); Resident Supplies (children's clothing, women's undergarments, etc.).
For more info, contact us.
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The shelter staff has three general terms:
Summer
(May - August)
Fall
(August - January)
Spring
(January - May)
[There is no "Winter" in New Orleans]
Staff must make a minimum commitment of one term, however, staff are welcome to stay beyond their term. We try to staff the shelter 6 months in advance, so please apply as soon as possible.
What is the minimum amount of time I need to dedicate if I want to volunteer in the Women's Shelter?
Unfortunately, we cannot accept short-term volunteers in the Women's Shelter. Our model of services requires that staff members volunteer for at least three months. Volunteers are usually in the shelter for three to six months.
For more info, contact us.
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What experience is required for volunteering in the shelter?
We accept volunteers from many different educational and professional backgrounds. Experience with direct service volunteering is a plus, but not required. Previous experience volunteering in New Orleans is also preferred but not required.
For more info, contact us.
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What will I be doing if I volunteer in the Women's Shelter?
Volunteer tasks vary widely, from researching local resources to planning programs to enrich the lives of shelter residents and volunteers; making repairs to the facility; mediating conflicts in the house; dispensing medication; monitoring chores; procuring donations; compiling informational materials; advocating for children in the house; assisting with resume development; and other activities.
For more info, contact us.
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What are the benefits of volunteering in the Women's Shelter?
Volunteers who work in the Women's Shelter typically stay longer than they initially intended to, and most come back to work in the shelter a second or third time, despite the difficulty of the work. Shelter volunteers are serving one of the neediest populations in New Orleans, so every hour we spend working with residents constitutes a meaningful contribution to their lives. Volunteers benefit from their time in the Women's Shelter because the work is so significant and meaningful, progress is obvious and tangible.
For more info, contact us.
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Is it safe to live and work in the 9th Ward?
Like any other major city, New Orleans is both safe and unsafe. Overall rates of crime are comparable to other major cities, and it tends to be concentrated in certain neighborhoods. The Women's Shelter is located on a busy street in the Upper 9th Ward. Prior to Hurricane Katrina, the 9th Ward enjoyed the highest rate of Black home ownership in the nation, and homes ranged from humble abodes to mansions by the river. Since the storm, fewer than half of the 9th Ward's residents returned. Crime continues to be a problem in the neighborhood, mostly involving drugs, although we have not had significant problems with this to date. Volunteers regularly walk to and from nearby stores and local cafes.
For more info, contact us.
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What are some of the challenges of volunteering in the Women's Shelter?
Some challenges of volunteering in the Women's Shelter include deep emotional sadness from observing the lingering devastation in the city; adjusting to communal living, adjusting to living with new cultures; working long hours under stressful conditions; and negotiating inter-personal disputes. However, volunteers typically find the work to be so rewarding that these challenges are seen as a positive.
For more info, contact us.
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What training will be provided if I volunteer in the Women's Shelter?
Volunteers participate in a three-day intensive staff training when they arrive to work in the Women's Shelter. They will also shadow at least 2 shifts before "flying solo." This training includes learning about house norms and procedures; reading the Handbook and Standard Shift Tasks Procedures from cover to cover; formally meeting residents; and a variety of other information about day-to-day shelter activities. All staff also participate in ongoing training workshops twice a month that are aimed at better understanding the roots of social inequality and our individual roles in building a better community.
For more info, contact us.
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Who do I contact for more information about volunteering in the Women's Shelter?
If you have additional questions about volunteering in the Women's Shelter, please email nowsac@gmail.com or call 504-962-6697 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 504-962-6697 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.
For more info, contact us.
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