Housing, Volunteer Housing * (ANY/ALL Types)

The following are guidelines or suggestions created by the St. Clare Recovery Core Committee to help you have a safe and meaningful experience working with the people of Waveland and Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi.

Most of the core committee members have been to Waveland at least once and therefore have a very good understanding of what you will encounter. Please prayerfully consider these guidelines as you plan your trip.

God Bless!!! …and Just Do Your Best!
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v CONDUCT: As our guest, please follow these simple rules:
o Alcohol Free Area,
o Dress modestly,
o No smoking in tents,
o No cooking in tents,
o Respect Church property, and
o Observe quiet hours from 10 pm to 6 am.
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AGE LIMITS: Recommended age limit is 18 years or older. Minor children under the age of 16 are allowed only as the responsibility of their parents. Youth ages 16-17 must be accompanied by chaperones at a suggested ratio of 1:3 and each group should have at least 1 skilled leader.

This guideline is intended to ensure that proper adult\skilled persons are available to oversee the work being done. Everyone should be mindful that we are helping the residents rebuild their homes. Therefore, we should make every attempt to do a quality job and this begins with proper supervision of unskilled volunteers.
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VIRTUS TRAINING: Every group with youth ages 16-17 must complete a Waiver for the Bishop of Biloxi certifying that all chaperones are VIRTUS trained and background checked. Also, each youth tent must have at least two VIRTUS trained adult chaperones.

VIRTUS is a safe environment training program available through the Catholic Church and now required by the Bishop of Biloxi. Please contact your parish office for training information. Requirements for non-Catholic youth chaperones are being clarified. Meanwhile if you have any questions, please contact us.
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REGISTRATION: All groups should register 10 days in advance through the website and the Group Leader should be interviewed and complete paperwork for the entire group before leaving. Guests who have not provided a 10-day advance notice will be accommodated only as long as space is available. Paper registration, waiver forms, and housing payment for walk-ins are made through the On-site Coordinator. Work coordination services may not be available for walk-ins due to time constraints.

The purpose of this guideline is to provide the coordinators in Waveland adequate time to plan your trip. Unplanned arrival of workers may result in lack of appropriate housing or work availability, so please plan ahead!
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LIABILITY WAIVER: MUST be completed by all volunteers before work begins.

This document is required by us as well as your home parish or organization. Please download it from the website under "Printable Forms" and return it to St. Clare Recovery at the address given on the form.
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WORK TIME: Trips will run from Sunday-Saturday, with work time Monday-Friday. Sunday is a day of rest at St. Clare.

This guideline is very flexible and can be adjusted to meet individual group needs. However, experience tells us that working during the week and traveling over the week-end will help ensure that materials and supplies can be acquired more easily, making your trip more productive and meaningful.
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ARRIVAL: Groups are encouraged to arrive in time for Sunday Church Services at St. Clare and have the afternoon to get oriented. Please call Jane, our On-site Coordinator, at 317-642-7322, one hour in advance of your arrival.

This guideline is intended to give the volunteer a good opportunity to meet the Waveland community residents in a welcoming and positive way. All volunteers are encouraged to attend these Church Services regardless of personal religious affiliations. The work being done in Waveland is truly nondenominational and has no religious boundaries, and this begins with worship services.
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HOUSING: The Catholic Volunteer Center provides short term housing to relief volunteers willing to work under the supervision of the On-site Coordinator. Advance 10-day registration through the website is recommended.

All tents are air conditioned and include bunks, lockers, clothing racks, and tables. Hot showers, washers and dryers are also available.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------FEES: A daily fee of $7.00 per person covers costs to maintain the Catholic Volunteer Center (utilities, air conditioning, paper products, etc.).

Fees should be paid in advance to St. Clare Recovery, c/o St. Bartholomew Parish, 1306 27th Street, Columbus, IN 47201.
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FOOD PREPARATION: No meals are provided. It is recommended that you bring breakfast and lunch foods, and perhaps enjoy some of the many fine restaurants for supper.

Grills may be used outside to prepare food. There may be refrigerator and freezer space for you to use to store your food that you bring in. Please clean your un-used food from the refrigerators and the area before you leave.
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OTHER EXPENSES: Volunteers should be prepared to pay for their own meals and travel arrangements.

Cost of building materials may be financed in part through donors or homeowners, but should be discussed with the On-site Coordinator before the trip.
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TOOLS & EQUIPMENT: Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own basic tools for the work projects they are assigned in advance. Other tools should be signed in and out on the Tools Usage Sheet.

Some tools and equipment may be provided, so please check with Jane, the On-site Coordinator, before your trip. If you have tools to donate, please tell Jane before you leave so she can inventory the items.
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WORK ASSIGNMENTS & MATERIALS: Jane, our On-site Coordinator, will help coordinate your daily work schedule.

Jane needs to know your skills and abilities in order to best match you to a job. She also needs at least 10 days prior to your arrival to coordinate with a home-owner to get approvals and secure financing for materials. Since many homeowners are not able to haul materials to their home, one of your tasks may be to pick up materials and take them to the home. You may also need to take the homeowner with you to the lumber store to have them pay for the materials.
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ST CLARE VEHICLE USE: All volunteers who wish to use one of the trucks must be over 21 years, have a valid drivers license and proof of insurance, sign a waiver in the St Clare Volunteer Office, and return keys to office at the end of each day.

The pickup trucks are the property of St Clare parish, and we request your respect and cooperation if you drive them.
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PRAYER SUPPORT: Registered volunteers are "assigned" to others who pray for their safety, for the specific homeowners they are assisting, and for the success of their trip with St. Clare Recovery.

This is one way for us to remember that the spiritual rebuilding is as important to our mission as the physical repair.
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SAFETY: Be sure to read the documents on this website under the "Volunteer Info from Americorps" button.

This information should be seriously considered as your Heath and Safety guidelines. There are many hazards in this area such as black mold, asbestoses, broken glass, sharp jagged metal, etc. The beaches should also be considered hazardous as debris is still washing back onto the beach every day. While the beach is beautiful and a very nice place to sit and watch the sunset, everyone should use extreme caution when entering the water or not enter at all. These documents can help you prepare for your trip and make it a safe and enjoyable experience for all.
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CLEAN UP OF THE VOLUNTEER CENTER: The volunteer center, sleeping quarters and restrooms need to be cleaned by our volunteers. Please set aside time each day, and before you leave, to help clean the center.

The Volunteer Center is a self-maintained, shared space. We appreciate your help in creating a clean and restful environment for all of our guests.
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LOG OF VOLUNTEER HOURS: Please be sure to fill out the Volunteer Hours Worked Form before leaving St Clare.

The City of Waveland receives $18.25 per volunteer hour from FEMA in the form of a grant, so it is important to fill out this form.
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DEPARTURE: Normal departures will take place on Friday evening or Saturday mornings. Guests are asked to complete the following prior to departure:

a. Housing payment-checks payable to St. Clare Recovery

b. Log of volunteer hours turned in to On-site Coordinator

c. Clean up of Volunteer Center
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There will be specific posted times for minors to use the showers - please respect those times by scheduling your showers for times other than when the minors will be using them.

When minors and youth groups are on the property, housing may be limited due to Diocesan Rules concerning minors. Please let us know if you have been background checked or if you have had VIRTUS training.

Please be sure to check in and check out at the St Clare Volunteer office! It will make your visit a more productive and enjoyable experience.