House of the Good Shepherd
Volunteer Application
House of the Good Shepherd (HGS) encourages the participation of volunteers who support the HGS mission. If you agree and are willing to be interviewed and trained in our procedures, we encourage you to complete this application. The information on this form will help us find the most satisfying and appropriate volunteer opportunity for you.
Name:______
Address:______
Phone Number: (day)______;(evening)______
Email:______
Education and Experience
What is your highest level of Education?______
Major areas of study or training? ______
Employment
Employer/Organization:______
Occupation/Job Title:______Since:______
Address:______
Volunteer Information
How did you find out about our program?
______
Do you have any previous volunteer experience? Please Describe.
______
Please explain why you would like to volunteer at House of the Good Shepherd:______
When are you able to volunteer?
______
Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun.
Morning:______
Afternoon:______
Evening:______
What type(s) of volunteering are you interested in doing?
__Tutoring women __Tutoring Children
__Teaching classes to women __Childcare- Please circle
__Front Desk/Clerical age group: 0-2; 3-5; 5-11
__Maintenance/Upkeep __Child Friend- Please circle
__Gardening Project (summer) age group: 0-2; 3-5; 5-11
__Fundraising Events
Do you have any special skills, experiences, or interests that might benefit our women and children or the shelter in general?
Please describe: ______
References
Please list three Professional references.
Name / Phone/Email address / RelationshipResponsibility and Commitment
Volunteers at House of the Good Shepherd are as important as staff members and are expected to be responsible and reliable. We make every effort to create a consistent environment for our residents, women and children. They will be counting on you. We ask that you complete your volunteer assignment when scheduled and for the length of time agreed upon. We need you to call in advance if you are unable to come in due to illness or emergency. HGS reserves the right to dismiss volunteers who do not follow HGS rules and procedures and who fail to satisfactorily perform their volunteer assignment.
Your signature below states that you agree to these responsibilities.
______
Signature Date
Mission Statement
The House of the Good Shepherd serves with love and compassion women and children affected by domestic violence by providing a safe place with opportunities for emotional, educational, and spiritual growth, by giving hope and continued support for a better future.
4/14
HOUSE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
P.O. Box 13453, Chicago, IL 60613-0453
(773) 935-3434 Fax: (773) 935-3523
TTY: (773) 935-3434
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK
House of the Good Shepherd requires all our potential employees and volunteers to undergo a criminal background check. The information you provide will remain confidential.
Please complete the form and sign below.
Last Name ______
First Name with Middle Initial______
Home Address______
______
Social Security Number______
Date of Birth______
Gender______
Race______
I acknowledge being notified of the House of the Good Shepherd policy and consent to this employment/volunteer requirement.
______
Signature Date
4/14
House of the Good Shepherd
Confidentiality Statement
Confidentiality is integral to the services of House of the Good Shepherd. Any person employed at the House of the Good Shepherd or serving as a volunteer must sign a Confidentiality Statement. This ensures that the individual is aware of the professional standard of confidentiality expected in working relationship with clients, Sisters and co-workers.
Each employee, volunteer and visitor is expected to respect confidentiality of information and to act accordingly.
1. Legally as a domestic violence shelter, the House of the Good Shepherd must not disclose who is here and who is not here. All information concerning a resident’s presence, records, treatment, and progress is strictly confidential and should not be discussed with anyone other than authorized personnel. This applies to any personal information gained while working with residents at the House of the Good Shepherd. Any violation will result in disciplinary action including dismissal.
2. Any written material pertaining to any person will not be shared without the written consent of that person or parent (if a minor).
3. Verbal information about another person will not be discussed indiscriminately.
4. Persons will be treated with respect and in accordance with high professional standards.
Signed______Date______
Title______
4/14
HISTORY OF HOUSE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD
House of the Good Shepherd is a ministry of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, who specialize in the care of girls, women, and families in difficult circumstances. The Good Shepherd Order was founded almost 200 years ago in Angers, France by Saint Mary Euphrasia Pelletier. The Sisters of the Good Shepherd first came to the United States in 1842, beginning their ministry in Louisville, Kentucky, and then, in 1849, in St. Louis, Missouri. The Sisters, who represent about 75 different nationalities and ethnic backgrounds, now serve people in need in 67 countries all over the world. Good Shepherd programs presently in the United States include those that serve homeless women, women recovering from alcoholism or chemical dependence, recovering prostitutes, teenage girls assigned by juvenile court, women prisoners in a halfway house, and survivors of domestic violence.
House of the Good Shepherd was established in Chicago in 1859, before the Civil War, when the city was only 26 years old. To support their work with the first twelve girls in their care, the Sisters took in sewing and laundry. In 1860, they moved into a building that subsequently burned down in the Great Chicago Fire – one of two total losses by fire that the Sisters of the Good Shepherd have endured in Chicago. On the south side of the city, in 1889, the Sisters also founded the Chicago Industrial School for Girls, which remained open until 1953.
Since Chicago is known by many for the gangsters in its past, our history would not be complete without at least one gangster story. A certain gentleman used to stop from time to time at the Good Shepherd convent doors and give the Sisters a gift of $1,000 to support their work. It was received with great gratitude, and prayers were offered for the anonymous benefactor. One day, an Episcopal bishop was in the convent to pick up vestments he had ordered and saw the generous gentleman as he left. The Bishop was close to fainting as he exclaimed, “Sister, do you know who that man is, who just went out? That,” he stammered, “was Al Capone himself!”
House of the Good Shepherd has been at its present location since 1907. A six-story red brick building originally on this site housed as many as 200 girls and 40 Sisters. At the centenary of Good Shepherd work in Chicago celebrated in 1959, one of the sponsors of a new building was Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who had been a social worker here before her marriage. Over the years the Chicago facility has served troubled and disadvantaged adolescents and young women in a variety of ways, depending on the needs of the time. A newspaper article from July 1978 notes that the Sisters of the Good Shepherd had cared for over 30,000 persons during their 119 years of ministry in Chicago.
In 1980, the Sisters in Chicago turned their efforts toward one of society’s most critical issues: domestic violence. At that time there was only one other shelter for battered women in the city. Since then, House of the Good Shepherd has helped over 4,000 abuse survivors. House of the Good Shepherd residents, staff, volunteers and Sisters represent many races, ethnic backgrounds, and religious affiliations. We all work together to promote healing and recovery and to end the generational cycle of domestic abuse.