Metropolitan Ministries is a nonprofit organization that provides services to homeless and at-risk individuals in Hillsborough County, including shelter, meals, childcare, and job assistance. The document discusses the organization's mission, common misconceptions about homelessness, facts about homelessness in the local community, Metropolitan Ministries' history since 1972, and various volunteer opportunities.

1. WELCOME TO METROPOLITAN MINISTRIES ARE YOU READY TO VOLUNTEER?

2. WHAT WE DO Metropolitan Ministries’ mission is to care for the homeless and those at risk of becoming homeless in our community through services that alleviate suffering, promote dignity and instill self-sufficiency…as an expression of the ongoing ministry of Jesus Christ.

3. When you think about a homeless person, what do you think about?

4. MISCONCEPTIONS

5. MISCONCEPTIONS

6. When you think about a homeless person, do you think about… A single mother making minimum wage who loses the struggle to afford rent, childcare, transportation, and food because she is laid off

7. When you think about a homeless person, do you think about… A single mother making minimum wage who loses the struggle to afford rent, childcare, transportation, and food because she is laid off A family whose father suffers a debilitating illness and cannot work

8. When you think about a homeless person, do you think about… A single mother making minimum wage who loses the struggle to afford rent, childcare, transportation, and food because she is laid off A family whose father suffers a debilitating illness and cannot work A man with a mental illness without the resources for treatment

9. When you think about a homeless person, do you think about… A single mother making minimum wage who loses the struggle to afford rent, childcare, transportation, and food because she is laid off A family whose father suffers a debilitating illness and cannot work A man with a mental illness without the resources for treatment A child who ages out of the foster care system at age 18

10. When you think about a homeless person, do you think about… A single mother making minimum wage who loses the struggle to afford rent, childcare, transportation, and food because she is laid off A family whose father suffers a debilitating illness and cannot work A man with a mental illness without the resources for treatment A child who ages out of the foster care system at age 18 A young man caught up in the despair of drug and alcohol addictions

11. When you think about a homeless person, do you think about… A single mother making minimum wage who loses the struggle to afford rent, childcare, transportation, and food because she is laid off A family whose father suffers a debilitating illness and cannot work A man with a mental illness without the resources for treatment A child who ages out of the foster care system at age 18 A young man caught up in the despair of drug and alcohol addictions A woman escaping an abusive relationship with only the clothes on her back

12. When you think about a homeless person, do you think about… A single mother making minimum wage who loses the struggle to afford rent, childcare, transportation, and food because she is laid off A family whose father suffers a debilitating illness and cannot work A man with a mental illness without the resources for treatment A child who ages out of the foster care system at age 18 A young man caught up in the despair of drug and alcohol addictions A woman escaping an abusive relationship with only the clothes on her back An elderly couple on a fixed income with rising rent, insurance, medical costs

13. When you think about a homeless person, do you think about… A single mother making minimum wage who loses the struggle to afford rent, childcare, transportation, and food because she is laid off A family whose father suffers a debilitating illness and cannot work A man with a mental illness without the resources for treatment A child who ages out of the foster care system at age 18 A young man caught up in the despair of drug and alcohol addictions A woman escaping an abusive relationship with only the clothes on her back An elderly couple on a fixed income with rising rent, insurance, medical costs A man who can’t secure employment despite having skills because he has no address, phone, clean clothes, or a place to shower

14. When you think about a homeless person, do you think about… A single mother making minimum wage who loses the struggle to afford rent, childcare, transportation, and food because she is laid off A family whose father suffers a debilitating illness and cannot work A man with a mental illness without the resources for treatment A child who ages out of the foster care system at age 18 A young man caught up in the despair of drug and alcohol addictions A woman escaping an abusive relationship with only the clothes on her back An elderly couple on a fixed income with rising rent, insurance, medical costs A man who can’t secure employment despite having skills because he has no address, phone, clean clothes, or a place to shower A family living in their car because the apartment they struggled to afford has been converted to condos; the parents terrified they will lose their children

15. When you think about a homeless person, do you think about… A single mother making minimum wage who loses the struggle to afford rent, childcare, transportation, and food because she is laid off A family whose father suffers a debilitating illness and cannot work A man with a mental illness without the resources for treatment A child who ages out of the foster care system at age 18 A young man caught up in the despair of drug and alcohol addictions A woman escaping an abusive relationship with only the clothes on her back An elderly couple on a fixed income with rising rent, insurance, medical costs A man who can’t secure employment despite having skills because he has no address, phone, clean clothes, or a place to shower A family living in their car because the apartment they struggled to afford has been converted to condos; the parents terrified they will lose their children All these situations are true; real people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in the Tampa Bay community

16. THE FACTS There are over 17,000 homeless men, women, and children in Hillsborough County. 23% are children. Hillsborough unemployment rate is DOWN to 11.6%, still one of the highest in the nation.

17. HISTORY 1972-1989 13 downtown churches launch Metropolitan Ministries Gap House provides help and shelter for 12 families Family Care Center opens Holiday Donation and Distribution Center opens

18. HISTORY 1990-2000 PromiseLand nationally accredited childcare center opens Kitchen serves first meal; can prepare 10,000 daily Metropolitan Ministries’ Academy opens, America’s first charter school for homeless children housed in a shelter

19. HISTORY 2000-2010 Meal distribution program expands to four counties. Prepared meals served daily increases from 300 to 2,000. Uplift U® Self-Sufficiency program begins First transitional housing, then Sanctuary Town Homes Outreach Services grows to 13,000+ families each year Compassion + Action launched Urban Immersion inner city missions program launched Inside the Box social entrepreneurship initiative launched

20. …AND BEYOND 22,000 families annually receive Outreach & Prevention Services 30,000 families annually receive holiday food and toy assistance 5,000+ children annually receive new backpacks and supplies 25.5 million meals served 375,000 nights of shelter provided 1.5 million children had their lives changed 1.4 million volunteer hours Morris Hintzman, CEO Tim Marks, President

21. Compassion + Action is a Metropolitan Ministries’ collaborative that mobilizes partnerships to meet the growing need in local neighborhoods and transform the lives of families in crisis.

25. HOLIDAY SEASON With dignity, integrity, and hope, the holiday experience will foster opportunities for all to witness and join in the giving or receiving that exemplifies community and allows miracles to happen. Open 1 week prior to Thanksgiving & 2 weeks prior to Christmas 1,000 families per day 800 volunteers per day 3 smaller versions (Pasco, Pinellas, Brandon)

26. Video Time! VIDEO TIME

27. E-TOUR TIME

28. OUTREACH VOLUNTEER CENTER

30. Clothing Vouchers

31. Access Site

32. Employment Lab

33. Florida ID

34. Meal Site Partners

35. Free Income Tax service

36. Housing

37. Hotel vouchers

38. Emergency – On site - Uplift U

39. Transitional- Off site

40. ReferralsOpen M-F 9:00-5:00 Sa 9:00-1:00

41. Metro Market Open M-F 9:00-5:00 Sa 9:00-1:00 Counselors Give Families with kitchens Vouchers for food

42. Metro Outfitters Open M-F 9:00-5:00 Sa 9:00-1:00 Vouchers for Clothing and Furniture

43. CLOTHING WAREHOUSE VOLUNTEER CENTER FOODWAREHOUSE

45. Food

46. Clothing

47. Hygiene productsOpen M-F 8:00-4:00 Sa 8:00-3:30

48. CHILD CARE VOLUNTEER CENTER

50. Head Start (Ages 3-5)

51. Afterschool / Summer Camp (Ages 5-12)Hours Vary M-F ONLY BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIRED. PLEASE CALL FOR COST AND AVAILABILITY

52. KITCHEN VOLUNTEER CENTER

54. Serving

55. Cleaning

56. Duties assigned upon arrivalHours 6:30-6:30 WEEKEND AVAILABILITY LIMITED. PLEASE CHECK WEB FOR SAT OPPORTUNITIES AND CALL FOR SUN OPPORTUNITIES

58. Data Entry / Administrative

59. Marketing & Design

60. Legal Services

62. WHAT DO WE NEED? Most needed items Canned meat Boxed Cereal Peanut Butter Cake or dessert mix Dry Starches (rice, mac & cheese) Canned fruit Seasonally appropriate clothing Toiletries (shampoos, soaps, razors) To organize a drive, call Angie Pattison at 209-1034

63. WHAT IS A HIP? Maintain a regular schedule anywhere from 3 hours weekly to 5 days a week Have the opportunity to take a leadership role in many departments Are afforded opportunities and privileges not normally available to our periodic volunteers

64. WE NEED YOU…TO BE HIP! Visit our Volunteer Needs of the Month page for more HIP opportunities

65. HOW DO I GET STARTED? HIPs and Groups – Contact us to schedule Jessica Becker @ (813) 209-1067, jessica.becker@metromin.org Short-term Opportunities Check out our website at http://www.metromin.org/volunteer Click on the “Sign up to Volunteer” button Call Lindsey @ (813) 209-1045 for other dates, times, and opportunities

66. SIGNING IN AND OUT Report to the Volunteer Center at 2001 N. Florida Ave unless told otherwise. You sign-in by: Turning in the one-time only Application sheet (downloadable from our website) Filling out your time sheet Receiving a nametag Receiving your assignment from a Volunteer Coordinator Make sure to sign out and completeyour time sheet…or risk losing yourhours! Minors—you must have a parent’s signature on your volunteer application to volunteer!

67. LAST, A FEW RULES… Volunteer Conduct – Respect the boundaries between Volunteers and Clients! Speak respectfully and avoid discriminatory behavior Don’t initiate or form inappropriate relationships with clients that are social in nature or show favoritism Watch for abusive behavior towards children and do not engage in it Respect the confidentiality of clients and guests Avoid loitering in the Family Care Center and never enter an occupied room Never take any property of Metropolitan Ministries without permission or participate in behavior associated with dishonesty, deceit, or fraud

68. …AND A FEW MORE… DRESS CODE Inappropriate attire: short shorts, tight-fitting clothing, flip-flops and anything with a negative or sexual innuendo Appropriate attire: long pants, CLOSED-TOE SHOES, and a shirt with sleeves Modest shorts are acceptable outside of the kitchen

69. …AND A FEW MORE… DRESS CODE Dress modesty Inappropriate attire: short shorts, tight-fitting clothing, and anything with a negative or sexual innuendo Appropriate attire: long pants, closed-toe shoes, and a shirt with sleeves Modest shorts are acceptable outside of the kitchen MODESTY IS THE BEST POLICY

70. …AND A FEW MORE… No personal electronics while volunteering No taking pictures of clients Be mindful we have handicapped clients and volunteers Do you see something wrong?

71. …THE MOST IMPORTANT! Smile Show God’s love to every client & volunteer! My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:18