A
Typical Host
Week
During
the week
there are
approximately
50 slots
for volunteers.
Some congregations
have a different
member for
each slot;
others have
volunteers
take on multiple
roles. Volunteers
come from
the host
and support
congregations
and are assigned
duties by
the Volunteer
Coordinators—members
of the host
congregation
who oversee
the week.
Sunday
- A
Network
truck
or van
arrives
in the
afternoon
with
cots and
the families’ personal
belongings
to be
set
up in
designated
space.
- Guest
families
arrive
at the
Host congregation
Sunday
evening.
The rooms
for the
families
and the
common
area
have been
set up
prior
to the
arrival.
Each
night of
hosting
- Families
settle
in, relax
and meet
the coordinators
and the
evening
volunteers.
At 6:00
PM dinner
is served
family
style. Guests
and volunteers
share the
meal together.
Families
are responsible
for their
children
and help
with clean
up and
chores.
- After
dinner,
volunteers
fellowship
with
families.
Hosts
and their
families
play
games,
help
with homework,
watch videos,
or just
talk.
- Food
for lunch
is available
in the
kitchen
area and
parents
make sack
lunches
for their
families
for the
following
day.
- Adults
turn in
around
10:00
PM; children
at appropriate
earlier
bedtimes.
Wake up
is around
6:00
AM. 2 Volunteers
will spend
the night
at the
congregation.
- Breakfast
is served
around
6:30 AM
during
the
week; typically
cereal
and other
convenient
foods.
The Network
van picks
the families
up at 7:00
AM.
During
the day
(Families
are not
at the
congregation)
- The
Driver
takes guests
to the
Day Center.
From there,
children
will go
to school
and the
parents
to their
jobs. In
the afternoon
the reverse
is done.
- If
the parents
do not
have
a job,
they
work with
the Director
at the
Day Center
to seek
employment,
housing,
and
other resources
to help
them
regain
their independence.
The Day
Center
has
bathrooms
with showers
and other
necessities
to prepare
for the
day.
- Everyone
returns
to
the
Host
Congregation
around
5:30
PM and
the
cycle
repeats.
Saturday
- On
Saturday
the families
can sleep
in and
enjoy
a hot breakfast
(pancakes
or bacon
and eggs).
Families
go back
to the
Day Center
and do
what families
typically
do on
weekends—see
friends
and
relatives,
take
children
to
activities,
etc.
The
next
Sunday
- On
Sunday
the
families
are
packed
up and
out
of the
facilities
prior
to Sunday
services.
They
are taken
to the
Day Center
for the
day until
it is
time to
move on
to the
next
congregation.
Families
that
want
to attend
services
will
usually
do
so
at their
own
congregations;
some
may choose
to worship
at a
host congregation.
…and
the
next
host
congregation
begins
its
week.
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