PfP Launches Volunteer Program

We are excited to launch our volunteer program! Volunteers can help on small projects or major events. We welcome your efforts whether it is once a year, once a week, or any amount of time in between.

We currently have several volunteering opportunities available, including:

• Administrative/Clerical (Filing support in our community support teams.)
• Weekend activities in our Club
• Touch-up painting at one of our residential buildings
• Lend a hand at one of our upcoming fall events (10th Annual Charity Golf Tournament on September 21 or our Harvest Moon and Dinner Dance Cabaret on November 3)
• See more opportunities on our volunteer page.

Below are the four easy steps to volunteering at Places for People.

1. Read our Volunteer Handbook and review our Volunteer Interest Form (Download a PDF the handbook on our website or pick up in person.)
    
2. Submit Volunteer Application and necessary forms to H.R. Director Jaime Hundley.
    
3. Discuss your volunteering interests with Community Coordinator Julia Day.
   (Please note that some volunteer opportunities may entail an orientation session of 1-2 hours.)
    
4. Begin volunteering!

Visit the volunteer page on our website for more information about the PfP Volunteer Program.

Raquel's Summer as a PfP Volunteer

A year before she will enter the mental health field professionally, Raquel Gantt received hands-on experience by volunteering this summer at Places for People (PfP). On track to graduate from Saint Louis University in May 2013 with her Master’s degree in Social Work, Raquel volunteered at PfP three days a week for eight weeks. The 24-year-old Chicago native performed every task with a warm smile and provided invaluable assistance to the Development Department in its preparations to move into new offices. She also volunteered in the Welcome Center, where she helped clients use PfP’s shower and laundry, and performed data entry and filing duties. Before she completed her volunteer experience, Raquel discussed how her summer at PfP helped her grow.

How did you become a volunteer at Places for People?
I recently moved into the neighborhood, I was only taking one class this summer, so I decided I wanted to volunteer at a mental health agency to gain more experience. SLU has an online database that assists students with finding a volunteer site. I contacted Community Coordinator Julia Day and informed her that I would be interested in helping.

What did you learn about Places for People during your time here?
I learned that each person has a story -- has a reason why they are homeless. I learned to listen to the clients explain their situations, and in doing so, I gained more respect for each person. I also learned more about the Development Department and its role to ensure that the clients have the appropriate funding. This was the first department I volunteered in. Julia made sure I had a better understanding of what it means to advocate for the clients’ needs first. (Director of Development) Alexis Mead made an effort to educate me about various services, including PfP's use of a harm reduction model. They both gave me the tools needed before moving to different teams. I appreciate their support.

How do you think your experiences at PfP will help you in the future?
My experiences at PfP helped me to be more open. I am a very quiet person, but after this summer my communication skills improved and I began to ask the staff more questions. These skills carried over to my course work as well. I began to answer more questions and voice my opinion in class. The knowledge I gained at PfP will help tremendously when associating with this particular client base as well as future employers.

Click here to read more about Raquel's experiences as a volunteer at PfP this summer.

Early Bird Deadline Extended for Golf Tournament

Good news for anyone who wants to participate in PfP's 10th Annual Charity Golf Tournament! The deadline for early bird registration has been extended until August 24.

Early bird specials include:

    33% off Bronze Sponsorship – only $1,000
    20% off individual registration – only $200
    20% off team registration – only $800

This year’s tournament will be held Friday, September 21, 2012, at the beautiful Missouri Bluffs Golf Club in St. Charles. The day includes lunch, a four-person scramble, a buffet dinner, silent auction and awards presentation. It’s one of our favorite days of the year, so mark your calendar to join in the fun!

Click here or call the PfP Development Department at 314.535.2310 to learn more about registration, sponsorships and benefits.

Hope to see you at the first tee!

Thanks to The Crossing Church

Thanks to The Crossing Church, many of PfP's families now have backpacks and school supplies to begin the new school year. We are extremely thankful for the generosity of everyone at The Crossing.

Click here to learn more about how you can donate needed items to PfP.

Performance Takes Personal Approach to Mental Health

Helene Meyer wants to make mental health issues personal, not clinical. After writing a book, I Have Not Picked Up My Dinosaurs Yet Today, she decided to use her theater background to spread her message and formed the Slaying Dragons theater group.

Her current project is the dramatic reading of “Look Away” by Jerome Kilty at the Missouri History Museum. The response has been “Very exciting, very rewarding,” she said.

The performance tells the story of Mary Todd Lincoln the night before her insanity hearing. “It has very relevant aspects today,” Meyer said. Then and now, people who are dealing with depression and mental illness are challenged by a stigma created by society, and often encounter family members who do not understand. These challenges “keep people from getting help that they need,” Meyer said. “It’s amazing how many people are in pain. They don’t know where to turn and are afraid to say anything about it.”

After each performance, a health care professional leads a 15-20 minute discussion. Dr. Jaron Asher, PfP Medical Director and Psychiatrist will lead the discussion following the final performance at 2 p.m. on August 19.

There are two performances remaining – Friday, August 17, and Sunday, August 19. Each performance begins at 2 p.m. Admission is free with the purchase of a ticket to the Museum’s Civil War exhibit. Tickets to see the play only are $7 or $5 for Museum members.