Volunteer Manual Catholic Charities Community Services Phoenix

Transcript

Table of Contents Page Letter from the Chief Executive Officer ………………………….. .. 2 Welcome to Catholic Charities ………………………………………. 3 Catholic Charities Programs (Phoenix Area) …………………… 4 Catholic Charities Programs (Flagstaff Area)…………………. 5 Catholic Charities Programs (Prescott Area)…………………….. 6 Catholic Charities Values ………………………………………… 7-8 CCUSA Code of Ethics …………………………………………. 9 Coordination of Volunteer Services ……………………………….. Role of the Coordinator of Volunteer Services ………………. Role of the Program Director and/or Supervisor …………….. Role of the Volunteer ………………………………………….... Balance of Rights & Responsibilities ………………………….. What A Volunteer Can Expect ……………………………………….. Frequently Asked Questions …………………………………………. Catholic Charities Volunteer Policies ………………………………. Contact Information ……………………………………………………. 10 11 12 13 14 18 Welcome to Catholic Charities Community Services! Providing help. Creating hope. Serving all. It is what we do . We’ve been doing it in Arizona for more than 75 years. We reach out to thousands of people regardless of background or religion to reduce poverty, ease suffering, and advocate for justice. We…  Shelter the homeless and abused  Protect and nurture children  Strengthen families  Welcome and integrate refugee, and  Help those in crisis We were founded in 1933 by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix to serve people suffering through the Great Depression. Today, we transform more than 80,000 lives throughout Central and Northern Arizona each and every year. As a volunteer with Catholic Charities Community Services (Catholic Charities), you are integral to our mission. We value volunteers and work to match your gifts and talents to opportunities that you will find exciting and rewarding. This manual describes our values, explains Catholic Charities programs, and outlines the roles and responsibilities of staff and volunteers in accomplishing the Catholic Charities mission. -3- Catholic Charities Programs As a volunteer, you will devote your time and talents to one or several programs. We take pride in the diversity of our services and we want you to be proud of the role you play in the larger mission. Below are some of the many programs in which you can play a vital role. (in the Phoenix Area) DIGNITY (Developing Individual Growth and New Independence Through Yourself) DIGNITY recognizes prostituted women as victims of sex trafficking and empowers them to transform their lives. DIGNITY is an intensive, education based recovery program, which includes emotional support, life skills education, counseling, drug and alcohol recovery, case management, employment, shelter and transitional housing support. My Sisters’ Place My Sisters’ Place shelters and empowers women who are fleeing domestic violence. It is a licensed, residential facility providing short-term shelter for women and their children homeless as a result of family violence. Services include case management, victim advocacy, children's services, crisis intervention, information and referrals, safety planning, and a 24-hour crisis phone line. Pregnancy, Parenting, & Adoption Services Catholic Charities’ pregnancy counselors help countless women and their support systems in Arizona as they explore birth options and make a plan in the best interests of their baby. Catholic Charities also offers comprehensive adoption services for infertile couples wishing to adopt. Paths of HOPE (Helping Out of Poverty for Ever) Paths of HOPE helps individuals and families in need to improve their quality of life through resource building and financial stability. Paths of HOPE assists motivated individuals to realize their goals and to leave behind a life of uncertainty for a life of security, stability and satisfaction. The program includes:  Financial literacy classes  Life planning sessions  Circles of support whose members accompany individuals as they develop then pursue their dream plans. Refugee Services Catholic Charities provides a welcoming and supportive network to help those new to our country become productive member of their communities. Many have spent more than 10 years in refugee camps, deprived of their homes, livelihoods and basic human needs. They often arrive with little more than a suitcase. Each year, we help nearly 1,000 refugees set up their new home, find employment and understand their new community. Unaccompanied Minor Foster Care The focus of this program is to recruit, train, and supervise foster homes and provide case management to unaccompanied refugee and immigrant children placed in those homes. -4- Catholic Charities Programs continued (in the Flagstaff Area) Arizona Families FIRST (Families in Recovery Succeeding Together) Arizona Families FIRST provides case management for substance abuse clients who are referred from Child Protective Services. They are linked to community resources for substance-abuse treatment and provided with support while receiving treatment. Cedar Rose shelter Cedar Rose provides transitional housing, short term and emergency shelter, and housing assistance or management. In-Home Family Partners In Home Family Partners provides in-home services such as parenting, anger/stress management, counseling, case management, and referrals to community resources for clients who are referred from Child Protective Services. PATH (Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness) PATH helps the homeless through outreach, shelter, education and referral. It is the only adult outreach program in Northern Arizona and goes beyond 9 to 5 to reach the homeless when and where they need us—on the streets, under bridges, in the forests or deserts. We give them tents, jackets, sleeping bags, and water and help with referrals, transportation, and advocacy to receive services. Above all, we treat the homeless with dignity. Paths of HOPE (Helping Out of Poverty for Ever) Paths of HOPE helps individuals and families in need to improve their quality of life through resource building and financial stability. Paths of HOPE assists motivated individuals to realize their goals and to leave behind a life of uncertainty for a life of security, stability and satisfaction. The program includes:  Financial literacy classes  Life planning sessions  Circles of support whose members accompany individuals as they develop then pursue their dream plans -5- Catholic Charities Programs continued (in the Prescott Area) Adoptions and Foster Care Our mission is to provide foster and adoptive homes where children can be safe and develop positive self-esteem and the inner strength to enable them to grow into confident and well adjusted adults. Buildings and Grounds The Buildings and Grounds program helps repair and maintain emergency and transitional housing. Community Services Community Services helps individuals who are in a financial crisis and are unable to meet basic needs. Volunteers help with interviewing/screening, returning calls and providing resource referrals to clients. Medical Loan Closet The Medical Loan Closet accepts medical equipment donations such as wheelchairs, shower seats and walkers and then supplies them to low-income elderly, disabled and individuals in need with immediate health needs. Operation Christmas Spirit Operation Christmas Spirit connects families in need with those in the community that want to give during the holiday season. Paths of HOPE (Helping Out of Poverty for Ever) Paths of HOPE helps individuals and families in need to improve their quality of life through resource building and financial stability. Paths of HOPE assists motivated individuals to realize their goals and to leave behind a life of uncertainty for a life of security, stability and satisfaction. The program includes:  Financial literacy classes  Life planning sessions  Circles of support whose members accompany individuals as they develop then pursue their dream plans -6- Catholic Charities Values We serve people in need because of our faith, regardless of theirs. Our values, drawn from what is known as Catholic Social Teaching, call us to be agents of transformation in the world. Below are four core principles that govern what we do and how we do it. Human Dignity Human life is sacred and respect for that life is the foundation of a moral vision of society. Each person must be respected from conception to natural death. Each person is endowed with rights, as well as duties to uphold those rights. Each person who benefits from our services as well as those engaged with our work are held in equally high esteem and treated with dignity. Common Good Society works best when decisions are made with an eye toward what benefits everyone, not just a few. All persons have the RIGHT to access all they need to reach fulfillment. Equally, all persons have the DUTY to work for the rights of others as well as their own. Human dignity can be preserved and a healthy community can be achieved only if human rights are upheld. We value both personal responsibility and social rights. The right to life is fundamental and includes the right to food, clothing, shelter, rest, medical care and essential social service. Every person, therefore, has a right to raise a family and the duty to support them. Additionally, human dignity demands religious and political freedom and the duty to exercise these rights for the common good of all persons. Subsidiarity We affirm that decisions made at the lowest possible level, should involve those who are capable of participation and will be impacted by those decisions, empowering those who are most in need. Concurrently, we commit to creating and renewing structures and institutions that provide assistance and aid, as required, appropriate and necessary. Catholic Charities, as members of the civic society, affirm that we should actively participate in the public discourse at both the national and local community level, seeking justice for all, but especially for those who have no voice of their own. We affirm that we should both advocate and serve, advocating both for individuals and for just social structures. Solidarity with the Poor We believe the most poor and vulnerable individuals and families have a special claim to our services and programs. Our staff, boards, and volunteers should engage those served to have representative voice in decisions impacting our policies and programs. We commit ourselves to continue to be a voice with poor and vulnerable individuals and families in the public discourse. -7- Based on these principles, we therefore operate our programs and ministries governed by the following values: Truth We affirm that transparency and accountability will always be pursued in our communication and work. Truth and honesty are expected from all who give services as well as those who receive services. Catholic Charities recognizes the intrinsic dignity and worth of all human beings, and while witnessing to the truths of our Catholic identity, we seek to be the presence of Christ’s compassion in society. Freedom We affirm that we will always assist our clients, staff and volunteers to live in socially responsible freedom, to exercise their authentic autonomy in light of objective truth and to actualize their inherent potential as beings created in the image and likeness of God. We will also respect and affirm the autonomy of each organization/entity with which we are in relationship. Justice Catholic Charities affirms that it is a matter of justice that all clients have the right to selfactualization and to reach their potential as beings created in the image and likeness of God. We will work to achieve greater justice in our communities through our advocacy efforts. All contracts and agreements and all relationships with stakeholders will be based on norms of justice. We will work to expand and maintain diversity and excellence in our membership, board, leadership positions and staff, and we will continue to work to help eradicate racism and prejudice within our own organization and in society at large. Love Catholic Charities affirms that love – caritas – will be the chief identifying characteristic and element of our work and life. What this means for you Catholic Charities is guided by its faith tradition, while respecting the religious beliefs and values of all clients, staff and volunteers. We welcome all volunteers, clients, and employees regardless of religious beliefs, but we do not provide services that are contrary to our faith teachings. As an agent of Catholic Charities, volunteers and staff must adhere to and support these values. -8- CCUSA Code of Ethics Catholic Charities adheres to the CCUSA Code of Ethics and commits itself to compliance with the following statements: a) Volunteers are expected to support the mission, values and ethics of the organization as the foundation for their work with and for the agency and its clients. b) The agency is expected to have an articulated plan for its use of volunteers to complement the work of paid staff. c) The agency is expected to provide the resources needed for volunteers to be effective within the organization. d) Volunteers should be held to the same standards, policies, procedures and accountability as is the paid staff of the agency. e) The agency is expected to develop and utilize a recruitment plan to create a diverse group of volunteers to assist with promotion of the mission and work of the organization. f) Volunteers should be screened, interviewed and placed in roles within the organization which match their skills and abilities with the needs of the agency and its clients. Background and reference checks should be completed on volunteers as appropriate to their type and level of responsibility. g) A position description should be provided to volunteers, which outlines performance expectations upon commencing their volunteer role within the organization. h) Volunteers are expected to agree to participate in training and development opportunities provided by the agency regarding the mission, values and ethics of the organization. i) Volunteers are expected to uphold the agency’s mission, values and ethics in their delivery of services to clients and in all program related activities. j) There should be a designated individual(s) within the organization who will have responsibility for the ongoing coordination, training and supervision of volunteers. k) The agency administration is expected to formally recognize volunteers for the work that they perform for the agency and its clients. l) The agency is expected to conduct an exit interview of volunteers who terminate their service to the organization. The agency should use this information to continually improve its effective use of volunteers. m) Volunteers are expected not to use their role within the organization to receive preferential treatment when seeking services for themselves, family members or friends. Complete Catholic Charities Code of Ethics is available upon request. -9- Coordination of Volunteer Services – who does what Coordinators of Volunteer Services These volunteer staff members oversee local area volunteers in collaboration with the Office of Parish and Community Engagement. They work with the program directors to create and promote volunteer opportunities in their communities, conducting the recruitment and placement process. They welcome and orient all new volunteers to Catholic Charities, its values, and available opportunities within the organization. Coordinators provide ongoing support for volunteers. They are your liaison to Catholic Charities. Program Director and/or Supervisor The director and/or volunteer supervisor within each area or program works with the coordinator to establish volunteer opportunities that support the mission of her/his area/program. S/he participates in the application process and helps determine a mutually beneficial relationship between the volunteer and the program. After orienting the volunteer to the specific area/program, its mission, and training the volunteer to perform assigned responsibilities, the director/supervisor maintains a close relationship with the volunteer throughout the volunteer experience. In addition to supervising the volunteer, s/he participates in initial and annual evaluations and nurtures an ongoing healthy relationship. Volunteer Catholic Charities Community Services works hard to match volunteers with exciting and enriching opportunities. Volunteers commit to providing quality work and adhering to our guiding values. Honesty, care, trustworthiness, accountability, and flexibility are essential to a match. Volunteers keep an accurate log of their hours on a monthly basis and submit them to their immediate supervisor. They are in constant communication with the director/supervisor and participate in evaluating their volunteer experience. Both are equally responsible to establish healthy working relationships. Volunteers are encouraged to share feedback or concerns with the coordinator and/or the specific director/supervisor to ensure a rewarding volunteer experience. T reat volunteers as paid staff … and paid staff as volunteers! - 10 - Balance of Rights & Responsibilities Catholic Charities recognizes that there is a balance of rights and responsibilities between volunteers and paid staff. This page illustrates this balance. THE VOLUNTEER HAS the right to A job that is worthwhile and challenging. Be trusted with necessary confidential information Be kept informed on what’s happening in the organization Expect that tasks have been planned for An assignment that will promote learning and growth Orientation and training Receive advice and support from a designated supervisor Appropriate recognition even on a day-today basis Out-of-pocket reimbursements, whenever possible Be treated as a non-paid staff member the responsibility to Know his/her limits Respect confidences Follow organization guidelines Prepare for each work assignment Use time wisely; not interfere with performance Acknowledge need for training and participate fully Consult supervisor when unclear on policy or action Give constructive feedback that will improve effectiveness Refuse gifts from recipients of service Work as a team member THE PAID STAFF HAS the right to Decline any volunteer thought unsuitable Expect that the volunteer will complete assignments Give instructions how work is to be done Give volunteer a trial or probationary period Evaluate the volunteer’s performance Demand quality performance Report problems and progress to person who coordinates volunteers Schedule volunteers when work space is available Own opinion on merit of volunteer involvement Be respected and trusted as a colleague the responsibility to Make all necessary qualifications known ahead of time Provide for adequate time and training for each assignment accepted Make sure the volunteer understands the task Set and maintain standards Provide feedback in constructive terms Allocate supporting resources; give recognition for work Keep good communications with the volunteer program office Provide adequate, pleasant workspace Not over generalize about volunteers Respect and trust volunteers in return - 11 - What to expect from your Catholic Charities volunteer experience Online application You fill out an application online. Background checks and possibly fingerprinting Background checks are done on all potential volunteers. Depending on the type of volunteer work, fingerprinting may be required. Catholic Charities Volunteer Welcome All Catholic Charities volunteers are asked to attend an orientation on what it means to be a Catholic Charities volunteer. Contact An interview or conversation assesses your interests and motivations for a good match. Placement You will be offered a placement to a specific program and receive a written position description. Orientation You will receive an orientation to the facilities, staff, and specific program for which you are volunteering. Training Training occurs as stated in the position description. It is essential to prepare you to understand both the culture of Catholic Charities and the program in which you will be volunteering. Supervision You should have ongoing contact with your immediate supervisor. Log Hours You will be asked to log and submit total volunteer hours monthly. Evaluation All volunteers receive an annual evaluation. The evaluation will be a time to reflect upon your service. - 12 - Frequently Asked Q uestions Why am I logging my volunteer hours? Foundations and grant-giving organizations frequently base giving on the level of community participation and volunteer engagement within an organization. Providing us with your logged hours allows us to demonstrate the value that you find in working with us. It also allows us to properly recognize you for your gift of time and talent. What is my responsibility to clients? Respect at all times; information about their rights and responsibilities as clients; confidentiality; genuine concern for the best interest of clients; safety; duty to report abuse; non-discrimination and cultural sensitivity; and quality service from competent staff. Why is confidentiality important to Catholic Charities? Volunteers may be entrusted with confidential information, the disclosure of which may not be in the best interests of the clients. Also, maintaining confidence demonstrates our respect for our clients. Why do I need a background check? Catholic Charities believes in the utmost safety and security of our clients, many of whom are quite vulnerable. To ensure that anyone who comes in contact with them is appropriate, we conduct thorough background checks. Why do I need to be fingerprinted? Virtually all organizations require fingerprinting of volunteers who have contact with children. The children and in most cases the adults served by Catholic Charities make up the most vulnerable part of our population. Fingerprinting plays a crucial role to properly screen persons who desire to volunteer with these people. - 13 - PRI N CI PLE PO LI CI ES FOR CATHOLIC CHARITIES VOLUNTEERS RESPECT FOR LIFE Catholic Charities Community Services is the official social service arm of the Catholic Church serving the Diocese of Phoenix, and demonstrates the Church’s commitment to the Gospel providing a variety of social services regardless of race, religion, ethnic background, or other discriminatory factors. The overall goal, in the establishment and implementation of our services, is to preserve and upgrade the quality of life for all with whom we come in contact. Every service we provide has one common element – the inviolable dignity of human life. Catholic Charities employs staff and volunteers from various religious, racial and ethnic origins. While acting as representatives of the agency, all employees and volunteers must operate in accord with the values, norms, principles, and philosophy of Catholic Charities, most especially as founded in the authentic teaching of the Church. Even where clients or staff may have personal value systems which differ from Catholic Charities, in our service performance and delivery, the Catholic Charities philosophy, norms, principles, and values as derived from the authentic teaching of the Church always prevail. The pro-life authentic teaching of the Church permeates all actions of the agency, and no member of our staff may ever violate these principles and teachings to any extent. Thus, abortion referral or abortion counseling is in direct contradiction to Catholic Charities norms, principles, philosophy, and values. No staff or volunteer representative of Catholic Charities Community Services may provide direct service or make a referral, verbal or non-verbal, to services promoting abortion or assisted suicide, nor accompany the client to an abortion clinic nor provide for transfer to the means to procure an abortion. Catholic Charities employees and volunteers always respect the rights of others to have their own religious beliefs or no religious beliefs and will never directly or indirectly attempt to proselytize in their interaction with clients. EEO COMPLIANCE Catholic Charities strives to create a favorable environment, which provides equal opportunity to all applicants for volunteer positions. No person shall be discriminated against because of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, creed, age, color, marital status, physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or status with regard to public assistance. Catholic Charities is committed to making reasonable accommodations to the special needs of individuals with disabilities meeting the eligibility requirements of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, so that these persons have access to volunteer opportunities and services available through the organization. - 14 - USE OF COMPUTERS When using Catholic Charities’ computers and computer networks, volunteers are prohibited from divulging confidential electronically stored information, including, but not limited to individual computer passwords and login information. Additionally, e-mail correspondence from a Catholic Charities account will be professional in tone at all times. Abusive, fraudulent, harassing or obscene messages and/or materials shall not be sent from, to, or stored on Catholic Charities systems. All email correspondence should be treated with the same care and diligence applied to hard copy memoranda. As users, volunteers must abide by the Catholic Charities policy to comply with the license agreements associated with the computer software products. You may not make copies or modify copyrighted software, except to the extent permitted in the license agreement. You may not download and/or use personally acquired software, public domain software, or electronic bulletin boards. Catholic Charities recognizes that the Internet is a useful tool to aid volunteers in performing their duties. As such, its primary use is for education, research, communication and administration as applicable to Catholic Charities business. Understanding that all activities on the Internet may be traced back to Catholic Charities, work on the Internet shall be conducted in such manner that public confidence and trust in the integrity, objectivity and professionalism of Catholic Charities are conserved and enhanced. No Catholic Charities information shall be made available for public access by a volunteer. Under no circumstances is it appropriate, at any time, to peruse inappropriate web sites, post inappropriate messages, or send inappropriate e-mail correspondence. The term ―inappropriate‖ includes, but is not limited to sites/subjects that advocate principles or beliefs not in keeping with the fundamental principles of Catholic Charities, sites/subjects which advocate illegal activities and sites/subjects which are sexual or pornographic in nature. As a volunteer, you will occasionally receive electronic files from Catholic Charities on your computer. We maintain excellent anti-virus software and other protections that are constantly updated to assure the safety of our files. However due to the nature of the internet, no protection is 100%. As such, volunteers are responsible for maintaining their computers and regularly updating their own anti-virus protection. Catholic Charities is not responsible for any infection or damage that may occur to your computer. WHISTLEBLOWING It is the policy of Catholic Charities to ensure the rights of volunteers are protected with respect to whistleblowing. Volunteers who suspect that another volunteer/employee of Catholic Charities is engaging in unsafe or illegal activities have the right to report such activities to members of the Board of Directors, upper level managers, supervisory personnel, human resources staff, or government authorities without fear of reprisal. In addition to the protections afforded by this policy, whistleblowers may be afforded protection under state and/or federal law. Any volunteer who believes that he/she has observed, or has knowledge of unsafe or illegal activities, or any volunteer who becomes aware of unsafe or illegal activities occurring in any situation related to volunteering with Catholic Charities shall report the alleged activity immediately to his/her supervisor. The person receiving the report must immediately notify the Human Resources Director who shall begin a confidential investigation to ensure that the matter is investigated properly and that the volunteer making the report is not subjected to retaliation or discrimination. - 15 - SUBSTANCE ABUSE Catholic Charities recognizes that its volunteers and employees are its most important resource. Catholic Charities is therefore committed to maintaining a safe and healthy workplace free from the influence of drugs and alcohol. As a condition of volunteering, each volunteer agrees to abide by the Drug-Free Workplace Act which prohibits the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of a controlled substance while volunteering. In addition, the unauthorized use, sale, purchase or possession of alcohol while volunteering is prohibited. The Act also requires that a volunteer who is convicted of any criminal drug statute violation occurring in the workplace must notify the Human Resources Director within five calendar days of the conviction. A violation of this agreement is grounds for discipline up to and including dismissal. There may be special circumstances where alcohol is served as part of a company sponsored event. It is expected that in such instances participants will drink responsibly. Other than these authorized occasions, volunteering under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or any substance which impairs a volunteer's mental or physical capacity, will not be allowed, except in situations where a volunteer is taking medications as prescribed by a physician and the physician has provided written confirmation as to the volunteer’s ability to report to volunteer. WORKPLACE VIOLENCE Catholic Charities is committed to preventing workplace violence, and to maintaining a safe work environment for its volunteers. All Catholic Charities volunteers should be treated with courtesy and respect at all times. Given the increase in violence in society in general, and in the workplace in particular, Catholic Charities believes all volunteers must be prepared to deal with intimidation, harassment, or other threats of (or actual) violence that may occur either on Catholic Charities premises, or, (in situations involving volunteer/client interactions) away from Catholic Charities premises. Under no circumstances should volunteers place themselves in peril. Volunteers are expected to refrain from shouting, fighting, engaging in "horseplay," or any conduct that may be dangerous or intimidating to others. Conduct that threatens, intimidates, or coerces other staff, volunteers, or clients at any time - including off-duty periods - will not be tolerated. This prohibition includes all acts of harassment, including, but not limited to, harassment that is based on an individual's gender, race, age, or sexual orientation. Volunteers have a duty to notify their supervisor if they become aware of, or suspect any problematic workplace activity, situations, or incidents. (These may include aggressive client or staff behavior, ―suspicious‖ individuals or activities, noisy commotion, or disturbances.) Firearms and weapons are prohibited from Catholic Charities premises – which includes parking lots - at all times, and volunteers are prohibited from carrying firearms or weapons on themselves or in their vehicles while conducting Catholic Charities business, whether on or off Catholic Charities premises. (Items such as pepper spray or mace, which are intended solely for self defense, may be carried in a discreet, non-threatening manner.) - 16 - SEXUAL HARASSMENT It is the policy of Catholic Charities to prohibit sexual harassment, as well as harassment on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, creed, age, color, marital status, physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or status with regard to public assistance. The management of Catholic Charities is committed to maintaining a workplace free of any such harassment. Sexually harassing conduct in the work place (or in any situation related to work or receipt of services from Catholic Charities) whether committed by supervisors, volunteers, or clients will not be tolerated and will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination. Such conduct may include physical conduct of a sexual nature, including assaulting, touching, or pinching another employee; unwanted sexual advances, gestures, propositions or other sexual comments, including jokes or comments about a person’s sexuality or appearance; sexual or discriminatory displays of publications anywhere in the workplace by employees, including displays of pictures, objects or other materials that are sexually suggestive or demeaning; or offering employment benefits in exchange for sexual favors, or threatening reprisals after a negative response to sexual advances. Harassment on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, creed, age, color, marital status, physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or status with regard to public assistance may constitute an unlawful act, and will not be tolerated. Such harassment includes verbal or physical conduct, or display of pictures, objects or other material, which is hostile or demeaning to persons of a particular race, religion, national origin, age, and others who fall into the categories defined above. SEXUAL MISCONDUCT Sexual misconduct by Catholic Charities volunteers is contrary to Judeo/Christian values, the code of ethics of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and similar codes of ethics. Additionally, in some instances, sexual misconduct may rise to a level of severity, which violates the law. Accordingly, Catholic Charities has a zero tolerance policy regarding sexual misconduct. All forms of sexual misconduct - with respect to work and/or client relationships - are strictly prohibited. All Catholic Charities staff must comply with applicable state and local laws regarding incidents of actual or suspected sexual misconduct, and with the provisions of this policy. Since the nature of our work with children and families often requires staff to work alone with minors, (e.g., in programs involved with counseling, transporting clients, home visits, etc.,) special precautions must always be taken to protect both minors and staff. Program operations and/or activities which may result in staff/client interactions without another adult staff or family member present require the written pre-approval of the responsible Program Director. This pre-approval may be granted as an ongoing arrangement, and need not be granted on a case-by-case basis. Because of the potential for misunderstanding, and, given the particular concern for minors, Catholic Charities staff will avoid all forms of sexual misconduct, including behaviors and activities that including, but are not limited to, activities that involve excessive physical contact with minors (e.g., wrestling, tickling and other physical ―horseplay‖). Complete Catholic Charities policies and procedures manual is available upon request. - 17 - Visit our Catholic Charities Website: catholiccharitiesaz.org Contact Information Catholic Charities Administrative Offices Catholic Charities Community Services 4747 N. 7 Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85013 Coordinator of Volunteer Services Pat Bennier 602-650-4837 th 602-285-9470 Program Contacts (Phoenix area) DIGNITY, Jamie Roberts My Sisters’ Place, Peggy Dudinyak PPA, Soledad de la Rosa Foster Care (Home Recruitment & Certification) Paths of HOPE, Margo Brown Refugee Services, Pat Gillem Head Start, Daniel Zapata Flagstaff area, David Maloney Prescott area, Haley Hyatt Cottonwood, Tania Simms 602-571-9285 480-821-1024 ext 52107 480-650-4825 ― ― ― 602-749-4424 602-749-4442 623-486-9868 ext 55021 928-774-9125 ext 53117 928-708-7279 ext 54079 928-634-4254 ext 54119 ____________________________ (my contact person) ________________________ This orientation manual is intended to stimulate your thoughts, questions and suggestions. We welcome your participation and input. Catholic Charities appreciates you and the volunteer work that you perform. Your involvement is vital to maintaining and enhancing our link between Catholic Charities and the community. We sincerely hope that your experience is rewarding. - 18 -