What Do You Get
From Being a Volunteer?
* A tremendous sense of having contributed to your community.’
* The enjoyment of helping others.
* Close and lasting friendships.
* The chance to be an integral part of a dedicated team.
AIDS Services of Austin’s Client Services volunteers are some of the best
people in Austin!!!
The services we are able to provide clients are heavily dependent upon the
spacious hearts of the volunteers in the Buddy, Helper, and Freelance Programs.
Buddy volunteers provide friendship, socialization, and emotional support.
Helpers give their time helping clients keep their homes clean, assisting with
laundry, picking up prescriptions, running errands, and many other tasks of
daily life maintenance.
We ask that Buddies and Helpers have about six hours a week available and a
commitment for six months. Freelancers are called and assigned as needed.
We offer a thorough training program for our volunteers. Our training, which
occurs over a weekend, includes information on HIV/AIDS, opportunistic
infections, infection control, diversity and sensitivity, substance abuse
issues, peer counseling, issues of living with HIV/AIDS, coping with grief and
loss, and much, much more! The training is held over a two-day weekend.
After the training, Buddies and Helpers are assigned to a volunteer team. The
team provide a stable source of continuing information, education, and
support.
Freelancers do many of the same tasks as Helpers and Buddies. Many people only
need help for a very short time or a single task done. This can include a ride
to the doctor, a hospital visit, babysitting, helping with a pet, etc. There is
a 2 1/2 hour training and information program.
To volunteer as a Helper or Buddy, call Robert Stewart at 406-6151. If you
want to be a freelancer call Alejandra Rocha at 406-6111.
Robert Stewart
This article appears in June 16 • 1995 and June 16 • 1995 (Cover).