“In the fall we had to close when there weren’t enough volunteers and there have been a few times recently when we were struggling,” said Autumn Doucette, volunteer co-ordinator with the Truro Homeless Outreach Society. “In this cold, the last thing we want to do is close the shelter. We need volunteers, especially on the late shift.”
The late shift runs from 1 to 8 a.m. and two volunteers need to be present for the shelter to open. Being the only facility of its kind in the northern region, since the one in New Glasgow closed, the Truro shelter has been housing as many as 11 people per night, ranging in age from 16 to in their 70s.
“A lot of people tell us their stories while they’re here, and they can be very sad,” said Doucette.
Volunteer night duties include doing hourly bed checks and preparing packed lunches for people to take with them when they head out the door at 7:30 a.m. There is always a team leader on call to provide support for volunteers. Many of the people helping out through the late hours bring laptops or books to keep themselves entertained between checks.
“We wouldn’t have a shelter without support and we really appreciate everyone that volunteers or contributes,” said Doucette. “Volunteers are the backbone of the structure.”
Anyone interested in volunteering can email [email protected] .
“In the fall we had to close when there weren’t enough volunteers and there have been a few times recently when we were struggling,” said Autumn Doucette, volunteer co-ordinator with the Truro Homeless Outreach Society. “In this cold, the last thing we want to do is close the shelter. We need volunteers, especially on the late shift.”
The late shift runs from 1 to 8 a.m. and two volunteers need to be present for the shelter to open. Being the only facility of its kind in the northern region, since the one in New Glasgow closed, the Truro shelter has been housing as many as 11 people per night, ranging in age from 16 to in their 70s.
“A lot of people tell us their stories while they’re here, and they can be very sad,” said Doucette.
Volunteer night duties include doing hourly bed checks and preparing packed lunches for people to take with them when they head out the door at 7:30 a.m. There is always a team leader on call to provide support for volunteers. Many of the people helping out through the late hours bring laptops or books to keep themselves entertained between checks.
“We wouldn’t have a shelter without support and we really appreciate everyone that volunteers or contributes,” said Doucette. “Volunteers are the backbone of the structure.”
Anyone interested in volunteering can email [email protected] .
