By Tom Siebert
Assistant Director for Community Relations
Public Action to Deliver Shelter (PADS) of Kendall County
Kendall County PADS needs more than a hundred new volunteers in order to launch its ninth season of providing nutritious food and temporary shelter to the area’s homeless community.
“Approximately sixteen volunteers are needed to staff a site each night of the week,” said Anne Engelhardt, executive director of Kendall County PADS. “Each volunteer gives four and a half hours just one time a month.”
In past years the homeless support group has faced similar shortages of volunteers but has always been able to open its seven temporary shelter sites from mid-October through mid-April.
Anticipating those challenges, a 14-member recruitment team has been established to recruit new volunteers through social media postings; handing out brochures to local businesses; reaching out to churches, senior communities, civic groups, and emergency/medical personnel; and setting up a database of the names of the estimated 600 volunteers who will be needed to operate the seven shelter sites from Oct. 21 through April 20, 2019.
“PADS is very fortunate to have recently added some very important and needed people to our organization,” Ms. Engelhardt stated. “Actually, they all are current volunteers and have stepped up to help in some new ways.”
One of those is Sandie Demierre, the new assistant director for volunteer recruitment.
“We are laying the foundation for recruiting volunteers,” said Ms. Demierre, who attends Harvest New Beginnings church, which has hosted PADS guests ever since the organization began serving the local homeless in 2010. “I’m very excited about this.”
Anyone interested in learning how PADS has been helping their homeless neighbors is invited to attend a new volunteer training session from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 11, at the Yorkville Congregational United Church of Christ, 409 Center Parkway, on the northwest corner of Illinois Routes 34 and 47.
Prospective volunteers are encouraged to attend the training, a panel presentation by experienced shelter coordinators as well as representatives of the Kendall County health department and the sheriff’s office.
Attendees will hear about the needs of people experiencing homelessness and how the shelter program addresses those needs. They will also learn the roles and responsibilities of various volunteer positions such as shift worker, laundry driver, and food team member.
There will also be a representative from the Guest Assistance Program offered by social work interns from Aurora University. The GAP helps guests with employment, permanent housing, and personal issues.
Moreover, those who attend will receive a copy of the PADS volunteer manual, have an opportunity to speak with site coordinators, and not be required to make a commitment to volunteer.
However, Ms. Engelhardt hopes they will be inspired to do so. She not only serves as executive director of Kendall County PADS but also helps out in a hands-on way at the shelter site at her church.
“As a volunteer with PADS, I have a unique opportunity to directly help the homeless people in our area,” she said. “My contribution of just a few hours each month makes a difference in the lives of others with many needs. Also, I enjoy the camaraderie of working with other volunteers. We all experience the gift of giving.”
Overnight guests at PADS receive a hot meal, a safe place to sleep, breakfast, and a packaged lunch to go. They also receive help with employment, social services, and housing referrals.
PADS of Kendall County is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) group funded by donations received from grants, gifts, individuals, organizations, and businesses. Those who wish to donate or volunteer may call (630) 553-5073 or visit the website at www.kendallcountypads.org.
