Volunteers Wanted: BEDS Plus Begins 27th Shelter Season

BEDS Plus is a non-profit agency providing emergency overnight shelter along with assistance to the homeless & those individuals in danger of becoming homeless in West Suburban Cook County. On October 1, we will open our doors for the 27th year. Operated by a dedicated staff and a large corps of volunteers, BEDS Plus has helped guide thousands of clients out of crisis to return to stable, independent and healthy lives.

BEDS Plus operates its nightly emergency shelters in seven community churches. We are more than an emergency shelter, however. Our Support Center operates Monday through Friday, 10am – 2pm, offering an expanded curriculum in addition to a nutritious lunch. Our case managers use best practice models to give all clients the opportunity to achieve self-sufficiency and reintegrate into our communities as proud, productive citizens.

CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

Can you spare 4 hours a month to help those in crisis?

Volunteers are vital to the success of the BEDS mission. Here are ways to contribute your time:

Site Volunteers work a four-hour shelter shift, once a month.

Cooks work individually or as a team to supply a hot evening meal and breakfast items, once a month.

Laundry volunteers wash linens and bedding, once a month.

Lunch Providers prepare bagged lunches for 15-20 clients to eat at our daily Support Center, once a month.

Support Center Site Volunteers serve bagged lunches, engage in quiet conversation with clients & perform light clean-up, once a month.

All prospective and new volunteers must attend one volunteer orientation. You’ll learn how you can help plus you’ll meet great people with similar interests!

Volunteer Orientation Dates:

Orientation begins at 7pm and takes place at the First Presbyterian Church of LaGrange, 2nd Floor conference Room, 150 S. Ashland Ave., LaGrange

October 13, 2014

November 10, 2014

December 8, 2014

For more information, visit www.beds-plus.org. Interested in volunteer opportunities--please contact Diane Kassel at kassel@beds-plus.org or 708-354-0858 extension 7.