High Impact People
WHAT'S A HIP?
Metropolitan Ministries has neither the resources nor the staff to do everything that needs to be done nor could be done on behalf of the homeless and those most at risk. Thus we rely heavily on volunteers to fill in the gaps throughout the week in practically every area of the ministry. These are what we call High Impact People (HIP) and they are afforded opportunities and privileges not normally available to our periodic volunteers. The hours are flexible and coordination (and interviews, when necessary) is typically done directly with the individual departments.
Opportunities
- Kitchen – Besides the tasks listed in Short Term Opportunities, we are specifically recruiting volunteers with some culinary skills or restaurant experience.
- Outreach – Take your volunteer experience to the next level by shadowing a counselor in our Outreach Center and then becoming one yourself. We’ll provide the training and office space, you provide the time.
- Children’s Activities – in partnership with Hillsborough County, we currently operate Metropolitan Ministries Partnership School, the nation’s first school for homeless children, and a Head Start program. There’s also our After School program and opportunities to work specifically with teens (e.g., doing tutoring, monitoring the computer lab, or mentoring them to success). There is one catch however. To take advantage of these highly sought after opportunities, you’ll need to pass a background check.
- Adult Education and Counseling – If you are prone to inadvertently step on rug rats or don’t have the patience for baggy pants, then maybe you’re better suited to work with adults. We are periodically in need of adult tutors and volunteers in our GED lab and career development center. On a more professional level, your training as a counselor could benefit untold numbers of homeless each day. Being bilingual is also a plus.
- Family Care Center – Help provide a safe and secure residence for the almost 150 people, including over 90 children, on our campus while helping them on their road to self sufficiency. Volunteers are needed daily manning the front desk and responding to resident needs in the living area as they arise. Best of all, you get to hear their stories, meet their children, and impact their lives through your own words of hope.
- Donor Services – If you have some computer skills or enjoy office work, then we could use a few volunteers assisting us in managing our databases, communicating with our donors, and doing analysis.
- Volunteer Services – There’s truly no better place for a seasoned volunteer than serving with the volunteer team. We’re looking for a wide array of skills to help us transform the way we communicate with one another. If you can man (or "woman") a phone, do data entry, enjoy event planning, or even want to oversee our orientations, then give us a call.
- Seasonal Events – The Holiday Tent is our trademark event. Up from October through December, it takes almost 1,000 volunteers daily. Not only is it a blessed time for our clients, but many of our HIP volunteers are magically transformed into Red Aprons, worn to identify them as volunteer leaders. As such, Red Aprons are intimately involved in the planning, training, scheduling, and operations of the Holiday Tent.
- There’s More – If you have marketing or public relations experience, strong administrative skills, are able to lend a hand in our warehouse or doing some basic motor maintenance, then we need you now!
- Don’t see what you’re looking for? No problem. We’ve had volunteers call us and offer their services as massage therapists, hair braiders, beauticians, and much more. If you’ve got the time and a good idea, then we’ll find you a home on our HIP roster.
Requirements – A commitment to a regular schedule where we can count on you to be integrated into our staff. HIPs serve for as little as 3 hours weekly while some are here 5 days a week for 20+ hours. We’ve got HIPs serving with us as interns for 4-month stretches while other have been with us for over 15 years. The key is to be able to provide long-term continuity and experience while building a strong and reliable relationship with our staff and clients.
Benefits (vary by position)
- Personalized identification badge
- Access to special events and dinners
- Membership on planning and advisory boards
- Specialized training
- Lunch
- Metro Min T-shirt
- Eligible for special recognition
- Inside knowledge of other volunteer opportunities
More Questions? Contact Scott at 813-209-1251 or scott.bedrosian@metromin.org.
Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nation's compassion, unselfish caring, patience, and just plain love for one another.
Erma Bombeck
