DeKalb volunteer orientation Saturday for church overnight warming center

DeKALB – The Unitarian Universalist Church of DeKalb will host a volunteer orientation for its overnight warming center volunteers.

The orientation will be from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at the church, 158 N. Fourth St.

Attendees can receive trauma-informed care training, learn about the warming center’s mission and prepare to support guests. The orientation also will feature speakers from the DeKalb Police Department, Hope Haven, Safe Passage and the Family Service Agency. Registration is encouraged to attend.

For information or to register, call 847-637-7399 or email ashleyrootes@gmail.com.

The DeKalb church is partnering with the Community Empowerment Campaign to seek volunteers for its winter overnight warming center. The center will open for all Jan. 11. Anyone in need is welcome to use the warming center for free.

The shelter will provide people in need with a warm space, hot meals, support, rest and connection opportunities.

Needed volunteer roles include:

• Meal volunteers: Prepare and deliver hot meals.
• Inventory volunteers: Organize donations and supplies and maintain an inventory.
• Health professionals: Provide basic wellness support.
• Community connectors: Connect guests to community resources and services.
• Steering committee volunteers: Assist with planning, organizing events and setting goals.
• Shift volunteers: Support evening, overnight and early-morning shifts. Shifts are from 5 to 9 p.m., 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., 1 to 5 a.m. and 5 to 8:30 a.m.
• Cleanup volunteers: Help put away sleeping mats, wash dishes and clean up messes. Shift is from 7 to 8:15 a.m.

For information or if interested in collaborating, contact organizers Ash Rootes at 847-637-7399 or ashleyrootes@gmail.com or Dan Kenney at 815-793-0950 or dkenney53@hotmail.com.