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We currently serve 15-20 clients, (roughly one half of the marginalized homeless population of Port Antonio), who have been socially displaced often due to many of the following factors:
• Mental Health Issues (mostly schizophrenia and bipolar disorder)
• Physically Debilitating Condition
• HIV/AIDS
• Drug Use Disorder
• Displacement resulting from ex-offender or deportee status or circumstance.
• Abuse or Exploitation
We are an NGO charged by the Portland Parish Council, to develop, fund and administer a rehabilitation program for the homeless persons of the parish of Portland. Our aims are:
1. To meet the basic needs of the homeless persons in Portland; for shelter, food, clothing and medical care.
2. To deliver a Day Time Rehabilitation Program to empower our clients with social and independent living skills and opportunities.
3. Reduce the number of homeless and socially displaced persons in Portland.
Current projects: building a female dormitory, expanding the garden, building a chicken coop
We would welcome any volunteers with experience in the health field, especially in medical and psychiatric care. In particular, we could use volunteers with experience in substance abuse counseling, motivational interviewing and recreational therapy. Other helpful experiences include but are not limited to marketing, NGO development, fundraising, and farming. If you feel that you have certain skills (personal or professional) that could benefit the shelter, you are more than welcome as long as you are compassionate, willing to work with marginalized populations, and have good interpersonal skills.
There are currently 4 staff members working at the shelter, and often 1 or more volunteers. We are always eager to welcome new volunteers. Volunteers should be willing to work for one to six months. We usually ask the volunteer to work 5-6 hours per day, 5 days a week (schedule is flexible).
Volunteer work is often self-structured based on experience and interest. Common responsibilities include:
• Spending time with the clients (activities, discussion, psychosocial support, mentoring)
• Supporting projects and starting your own (current projects include building a female dormitory, expanding the vegetable garden, maintaining fruit trees, and building a chicken coop)
• Administrative work (staying connected with local and international individuals and organizations through emails and phone calls)
• Fundraising (supporting current initiatives, starting new projects)
• Any other responsibilities or projects you would like to take on to support the shelter! Ideas are always welcome.
Volunteers are accommodated at a nearby eco-tourist resort (Great Huts) which provides financial and other support to the shelter.
The resort is 10 miles (about 25 minutes drive) from the shelter. Volunteers are assigned one of the basic accommodation units, based on availability.
(Basic units include shared bathroom facilities). All meals (and limited laundry service) are provided at the resort. Volunteers need to bring or buy their lunch if working at the shelter during lunch hours. Other amenities include access to cable TV (in the lounge) and free wireless Internet. Transportation fee, to and from the shelter, is at the volunteers expense: about USD $1.50 one way.
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Please visit our Website at http://prmhomeless.org/
Like us on Facebook!
or call 876 - 993 - 9166 to find out how you can help.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
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