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FAQs about being a PADS volunteer   

Q: What is PADS?

 PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) is a program of Journeys from PADS to HOPE and a not-for-profit social service agency responding to the needs of the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless. From October through April, PADS provides safe overnight shelter and nutritious food at emergency shelters operated in 18 churches and nine municipalities: Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village, Mt Prospect, Palatine, Prospect Heights, Schaumburg and South Barrington.

Q: How does it work?

 During the PADS season (October through April), each shelter is open one night each week from 7pm to 7am the next day. Guests are offered a hot meal; a sleeping pad with clean linen; breakfast in the morning; and a “brown bag” lunch.  Volunteers working in three shifts are hosts and hostesses for the guests and clean up after the guests depart.

Q: How can I help?

 Our biggest need is for volunteers willing to work face-to-face with our guests. Just to open our doors each week requires 18 volunteers.  Each season more than 100 volunteers will collectively give more than 2,000 hours of their time to help our guests..

Q: Do I have to be a member of All Saints to volunteer?

 No! We welcome volunteers from the community who have completed the Journeys volunteer training program.

Q: If I volunteer for site operations, what will I be doing?

 Volunteers working with quests are fundamentally hosts and hostesses, although specific tasks vary by shift. If you work the first shift you will help serve dinner and join our quests for the meal: after supper, volunteers may play board games or converse with the quests, or just hang out and watch TV. On the overnight shifts, when most guests are asleep, volunteers make sandwiches and pack lunches. The early morning shift prepares and serves breakfast. On Sunday morning, starting at 6:30am, the cleanup crew cleans and restores the site for church uses.

Q: How long do the cooks work?

 Most cooking for PADS at All Saints is done in volunteers’ homes at their convenience and the food is brought to the church early Saturday evening.  Nutritionally balanced meals are planned for each week and several volunteers prepare the entrees, side dishes or desserts

(Usually 6-8 servings each). In addition, volunteers purchase beverages (milk and juice), bread, lunch meat and other staples.

Q: If I volunteer to do the laundry, how much washing and drying will I be expected to do?

 None! Northwest Community Hospital provides laundry services for PADS. Our laundry volunteer just put clean laundry in the cabinet.

Q: Do I have to stay all night?

 No. We have three shifts: 6:45pm-11pm, 11pm-3am, 3am-7am. Cleanup crews start at 6:30am Sunday and are usually finished before 8:30am.

Q: Will I be required to work a fixed schedule; or every week?

Volunteers work schedules that are convenient to them. We ask only that you honor any commitment you make and work the entire shift. If your plans change, please let the Shift Coordinator know as soon as possible so a replacement can be found. Whether you volunteer once a month or more, or only two or three nights during the season, your help is appreciated.

Q: Are any special skills needed?

 A friendly smile and a good attitude are the most important qualifications for a for a PADS volunteer. Everything else you need to know will be described during a two-hour training session all volunteers (for positions with guest contact) must attend. This basic volunteer training assures that PADS policies and procedures are consistently applied at all sites. Once you have been trained you may volunteer at any site in the PADS network.

Q: Will there be awkward situations? Am I in any danger?

 Strict enforcement of PADS guest rules minimizes the possibility of unpleasant situations. Personal safety is important and before a situation is allowed to escalate to an unsafe condition, police will be summoned. Other volunteers are always available for assistance and support. Health experts do not believe there is any abnormal communicative health risk associated with this work. Common sense and basic preventative practices, such as washing hands, can reduce the risk of exposure to health hazards.

Q: Is there an age requirement?

Journeys’ youth protocol requires that volunteers in the jobs with guest contact must be at least high school juniors.

Q: What do I do now?

 Attend a PADS Volunteer Training session. Indicate All Saints as your preferred site. Sign up for an open shift and join us!