RULES FOR VOLUNTEERS
From time to time, Christian men and women feel the call to volunteer for long-term service at La Familia. The following are RULES that volunteers must be willing to observe to receive permission to serve at La Familia:
1. Each volunteer candidate must prepare an application with a reference from his/her American pastor and a personal statement why the volunteer wishes to serve at La Familia. The application must be approved by the directors at La Familia. In the application, the volunteer candidate must announce the specific period of time he or she is applying to work at La Familia.
Volunteers may not arrive at La Familia until their application receives the directors' written approval.
2. Prior to coming to La Familia, volunteers must educate themselves on the Mexican culture.
3. Volunteers will eat the same food as is prepared for the children. Because of the attention the children require, special meals will not be prepared.
4. Volunteers will honor La Familia's designated daily schedule:
Get up at 5:30 AM.
Lunch - 2:00 p.m.
Dinner - 7:30 p.m.
5. It is unacceptable to teach the children off-color words or teach them bad habits. The use of alcohol or tobacco on the La Familia property is strictly prohibited.
6. House rules for volunteers will be established exclusively by the directors.
7. If a volunteer wishes to leave the hogar for any reason, they will agree to inform the director where they are going and when they will return.
8. In return for the volunteer's services, there is no additional cost for room or board.
Any medical expenses, however, are to be paid by the volunteer.9. Volunteers will agree to show respect for each child.
10. Volunteers will abide by the house dress code (no short shorts and shirts that cover the entire midsection) and at all times behave as a Christian is expected to behave -- as a role model. Volunteers are expected to attend church services with the children.
11. Volunteers will perform all reasonable work or tasks as defined and assigned by the directors.
12. At times agreed to by the directors, volunteers are expected to help out with household chores, i.e., mopping, sweeping, washing clothes, preparing food for cooking, cooking, teaching English to the children, helping the children with their homework, music, computer skills, etc.
13. Without specific permission from the directors, volunteers are not allowed to give gifts to the children.
14. Volunteers are not allowed to bring any books or magazines to La Familia that contain material inappropriate for the children to see.
15. Volunteers are expected to care for the children when the directors are absent.
16. Volunteers will have no authority to accept children that may be brought to the hogar.
17. Volunteers may watch TV only during the hours that the children are allowed to watch TV. An exception would be if the directors give permission.
18. Volunteers are expected to work with the children on crafts or other activities during hours designated by the directors.
19. Volunteers are strictly prohibited to spank or otherwise strike a child. Corporal punishment is the exclusive responsibility of the directors.
20. Giving money to the children is strictly prohibited.
21. Volunteers are expected to respect the instructions given them by the directors.
22. When the directors are absent, volunteers may not allow any unauthorized visitors to the hogar. All visitors must be approved by one of the directors.
23. Volunteers are expected to have a "working knowledge" of Spanish. Because the directors do not speak English, it is essential that the volunteers speak Spanish well enough to function effectively as a volunteer.
24. All volunteers are accepted at La Familia for a 30-day probationary period. If directors determine that a particular volunteer is a bad fit, they have the authority to ask him or her to leave. A second evaluation will occur after 90 days.
25. Any issues that arise that need attention must be discussed with a director before a decision on how to handle the issue is determined.
26. Volunteers will practice good personal hygiene at all times.
29. Volunteers may enter the dormitory of the opposite sex only with permission from one of the directors.
30. When volunteers leave La Familia, they must return by 11:00 PM.
31. Volunteers are allowed to use the La Familia computer, but are requested to limit their use of the computer and realize that there is only one access to the Internet and over 30 residents at La Familia.