SA group of Seniors from Jesuit College Preparatory School have volunteered every Wednesday morning for the 2008-2009 school year. Their help assistance has been very valuable and reliable. As a result, they were voted to receive the Volunteer: Spirit of The Bridge Award for 2008. This award is given monthly to a staff member at The Bridge. However, once a year, the staff vote on the volunteer (or group of volunteers) who have had the biggest impact over the course of the year.

Our diverse volunteers include professionals, retirees, civic club members, church groups, youth groups, and corporate volunteers.

Currently we are seeking licensed barbers and hair stylists to volunteer some time to give free hair cuts at the new homeless assistance center, The Bridge. Also needed are donated items to provide quality service to our clients. Click here for a list of items we need. For more information contact Alonzo Peterson at 214 670 1127.

Upcoming Volunteer Workshops
(you must have attended volunteer orientation to RSVP)
All trainings are located at The Bridge, 1818 Corsicana Dallas, Texas 75201.

	Intro to Community Ambassador Program (YOU MUST HAVE ATTENDED VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION TO ATTEND)
	Room 108, Services Building, 1818 Corsicana in Dallas, Texas 75201
	Facilitator: Alonzo Peterson
	July 11 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
	Click here to RSVP

	Conflict Resolution
	Services Building in Room 108, 1818 Corsicana in Dallas, Texas 75201
	Facilitator: Laura Seipp of the North Texas Peace Center.
	July 18 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
	Click here to RSVP

Please contact Alonzo Peterson to learn more about MDHA Volunteer Workshops.

Community Ambassador Program Requirements
The community ambassador program is designed to tap into the talent in the community and use that talent to help MDHA and the Bridge accomplish its mission.  Volunteers will be trained on all aspects of the Bridge and MDHA and will be sent out into the community to speak on our behalf.   To participate, each volunteer must complete 30 hours of volunteer service in all program areas on the campus to understand how the Bridge works, and work on a MDHA/Bridge special event or project. Volunteers must all complete the following trainings:

• An Introduction to the Community Ambassador Program
• Bridge Basics
• Introduction to Homelessness
• Introduction to Mental Health
• Introduction to Substance Abuse and Recovery
• Public Speaking Workshop

You must have attend a traditional volunteer orientation with us to attend a community ambassador workshop. Training times will be posted by April 15th.

Other examples of volunteer opportunities include:

• Administrative Volunteer: These volunteers will do important work ranging from clerical to high level projects. 
• Direct Service Volunteer: These volunteers will be more closely working with the homeless through one of our partners. At first, the only group of direct volunteers we will have will be helping with meals.
• Specialty Volunteers: These volunteers will help provide special needed services. (Examples include: teaching a computer class, providing hair cuts in the barbershop/salon).
• Community Ambassadors: These volunteers will be trained to go out and speak on behalf of the Bridge. Program will begin later this summer.
• Volunteer Response Teams:  Groups are encouraged to volunteer at the Bridge and become a volunteer response team!  Each team will adopt a need on the campus and will work to collect donated items to meet that need.  Some of the needs include:
  

  Diabetic Snacks Laundry Detergent  Sports Bras       Socks Underwear               Books                   Toothbrushes

  Raincoats Winter Wear             Blankets                Magazines         Lotion Juice

We need and appreciate your help! By volunteering, you help bring love, concern, hope and friendship to our community. To get involved, sign up for upcoming volunteer orientations or call 214 670 1127.

Quinton Scott received the Spirit of The Bridge Award for the Month of April. This award recognizes staff whose work with guests at The Bridge personify the spirit of The Bridge program. Congratulations, Quinton!