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Volunteer Expectations and Guidelines
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Treat everyone with respect and dignity. Honor where people are living and avoid “trauma tourism” or paternalistic attitudes. Remember we are doing mutual aid together with communities, not delivering charity to them.
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Listen first. Respect that clients and partners know what they and their clients need to feel safe and cared for.
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Prioritize safety and consent in every interaction. Communicate clearly about who you are, your role, and your vehicle. If you’re in a client-facing role, wear identifiable, nonthreatening attire (e.g., brightly colored hat) to help people feel at ease.
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Do only what the client requests. Do not assume tasks.
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Handle items with care and integrity. Laundering is done with respect for others’ belongings and property; the aim is to return items promptly and to the right place.
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Do not mix families’ loads. Keep each client’s items separate to respect privacy and avoid confusion.
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Complete required training and approvals. Read and acknowledge volunteer guides, process flows, and vetting steps. Drivers must have a valid driver’s license and be able to show it for visual-only verification during a video vetting call.
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Contribute modest personal resources as needed. Expect to cover your own gas and basic laundry supplies; we may provide some supplies but cannot stock every volunteer household.
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Communicate through our platform consistently. Use established channels for scheduling, updates, and issue reporting to ensure accountability and transparency.
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Maintain confidentiality and privacy. Do not share any protected information outside the program, and handle all personal data according to the privacy guidelines that will be provided.
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Follow safety protocols. Adhere to any safety guidelines related to transporting items, handling wet or soiled laundry, and interacting in public or shared spaces.
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Be trauma-informed and anti-discriminatory. Interactions should be inclusive, nonjudgmental, and attentive to the diverse backgrounds and needs of neighbors.
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No photos or videos can be shared through any personal accounts; do not capture any imagery of your work here unless expressly requested by Admins.
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Accessibility and inclusion: Ensure services are accessible to people with disabilities and those needing language assistance; offer alternatives for communication and pickup/drop-off if needed.
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Boundaries and personal safety: Do not enter clients’ homes unless requested by client as an accessibility need and only if you feel safe to do so.
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Our volunteers are tasked with assessing their own comfort levels with risk and accept all accountability and liability for actions, accidents, or other situations that may occur throughout the course of their volunteer shift.
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Report concerns promptly. If you encounter safety risks, potential abuse, or violations of our guidelines, report them through the designated channels immediately.