SCOPE OF WORK:

This position supports our Maternal and Child Health Program by helping parents of young children and pregnant clients access healthy foods. Through the Women Infants and Children (WIC) government benefit program, IRC clients receive food benefits to be used at the grocery store. The process of applying and using these benefits is difficult, even for English speakers, which is why we bring in volunteers to assist. Volunteers assist clients in a variety of different roles, including but not limited to; transporting WIC clients to appointments, doing grocery store orientations with clients, supporting mother's group events that occur monthly, and collecting and assembling donations into "baby bundles" for expecting mothers. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Ensure interpretation is provided at WIC clinic appointment and advocate for the client
  • Attend WIC appointment with family
  • If new arrival, travel with family to their preferred grocery store to practice using WIC benefits
  • Teach family how to identify items that can be purchased with WIC benefits and how to check out at grocery store
  • Be patient and support family’s self-sufficiency and learning above all else
  • Assist WIC team with preparation for, and hosting of monthly mother's groups
  • Collect donations and assemble them into "baby bundles" for clients that are pregnant

REQUIREMENTS:

  • At least 18 years of age
  • Access to reliable transportation; access to reliable personal vehicle preferred with space for car seats
  • Adhere to volunteer transportation guidelines to protect volunteers and clients from the spread of Covid-19
  • Able to use and cover personal cost of public transportation
  • Able to pass IRC background check, which includes evaluation of driving history
  • Patient and flexible. Appointments vary in length and usually last 2 hours
  • Able to take at least one appointment per month during WIC business hours
  • Willingness to learn about WIC and the work of the IRC
  • Experience working with diverse backgrounds preferred
  • COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement: In accordance with IRC’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, IRC requires all volunteers who are interested in providing in-person support for our work to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be onboarded for the position. If proof of vaccine cannot be provided, volunteers may still apply for virtual-only roles.

NEXT STEPS:

  • New volunteers must attend a general volunteer orientation, sign up for the next one here: https://signup.com/go/FVjFCTJ.
  • If you are not a current volunteer of the IRC, you will be required to pass a background check. We request a donation of $45 to cover the cost of the background check
  • Attend a mandatory WIC Volunteer training once you have attended the general orientation.

QUESTIONS:

Please email Dylan Cole, our Volunteer Coordinator, at [email protected].