Volunteers are an integral part of REST’s provision of services to homeless adults. REST volunteers are held to a high ethical standard in the performance of their activities related to REST. The summary below is meant to serve as an outline of the principles REST volunteers are expected to follow.
1. Affirming REST’s mission statement (click for link), volunteers will urge changes in the lives of clients only in clients’ interest of acquiring permanent housing and recovery from addiction or a self-destructive activity or lifestyle. Volunteers will not press REST clients to adopt beliefs or behaviors reflecting their own value system rather than that of the clients.
2. Volunteers will recognize the worth, dignity and uniqueness of all persons, and will at all times treat REST clients, staff, and fellow volunteers with respect. They will deliver humane care to all clients, regardless of race, creed, age, sexual orientation, or social background.
3. Volunteers will communicate with the staff supervising them about matters that may affect clients adversely, such as problems with REST facilities, direct or indirect threats made, the presence of weapons, alcohol, etc. To the best of their abilities, volunteers will complete their agreed-upon term of service, communicating with the Volunteer Coordinator if there will be any problem doing so.
4. Volunteers will place the safety of clients above all other concerns. They will not deliberately do harm to a client, either physically or psychologically. They will not verbally assault, ridicule, provoke or attempt to subjugate or endanger a client, nor will they allow other clients, staff, or volunteers to do so. Weapons are not allowed at REST sites.
a. Personal Relationships: A risk of sexual exploitation or undue personal pressure exists when a volunteer socializes with or dates a client. Therefore, developing personal relationships and making social engagements with clients are not allowed. Examples of inappropriate behavior include a volunteer becoming a sponsor of a recovering client or bringing a client to his/her home for any reason.
Sexual Exploitation or Harassment: Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual favors, and other verbal, visual or physical conduct of a sexual nature. No volunteer shall threaten or insinuate, either explicitly or implicitly, that a client’s refusal to submit to sexual advances will adversely affect that person’s case. They shall not promise, imply, or grant any preferential treatment in connection with a client engaging in sexual conduct. Sexual harassment also includes unwelcome flirtations, advances or propositions, verbal abuse of a sexual nature, subtle pressure or request for sexual activities, unnecessary touching, graphic or verbal commentaries about an individual’s body, sexually degrading words used to describe an individual, a display of sexually suggestive objects or pictures, sexually explicit or offensive jokes, or physical assault.
