The Refuge Lapeer Homeless Shelter partners with local churches in order to give food and shelter to the homeless of Lapeer County during the winter months of the year. Every November to April, The Refuge Lapeer hosts guests rotationally at Lapeer County churches. Shelter includes bedding/privacy for the night, food, access to clothing, and transportation. The Refuge Lapeer needs churches, church groups, and volunteers to help with hosting and all related services.
Would your church like to help? Perhaps your church is helping already. See below for important documents and sign up forms.
HOW YOUR CHURCH CAN GET INVOLVED
We are a not for profit organization overseen by a board of directors. All participants of The Refuge are volunteers. The Refuge depends upon volunteers throughout Lapeer County to keep this ministry running. We are seeking churches to partner with us by sponsoring a week.
What The Refuge Provides
Shelter Site:
To churches sponsor week:
What the Sponsoring Church Provides:
For more information, of if you have questions, email us at contact@therefugelapeer.org.
This document provides information for Church Coordinators.
This is a checklist churches may use as they prepare to host and while they are hosting.
Volunteers should read this manual and refer to it when questions arise.
All Volunteers are required to submit this form.
Men and women volunteering should fill out this form as to the days they are volunteering.
On a daily basis, volunteers should sign in using this form.
People bringing meals should sign up using this form.
People providing transportation should sign up using this form.
Building- whether you utilize your Church building or another, the building needs to adequately provide these specific areas:
In the event you find your Church building does not provide adequate areas for the above listed, please reach out to The Refuge Church Coordinator. There are other options available to ensure that your Church can partner in the ministry of The Refuge, we are more than happy to assist you.
Volunteers- you will be responsible for gathering all the necessary volunteers for each day of hosting The Refuge. You will need volunteers for each of the following categories:
Rules/Policies- all volunteers are required to read and sign a volunteer agreement form (available online) at least once. Training is available online or in person by request.
Please be sure to read the available materials online in regards to more detailed information on Host Church Volunteering and any other sample documents that may assist you.
In the event you are unable to gather all of the necessary volunteers for your time of hosting, please reach out to The Refuge Church Coordinator at least 2 weeks prior to your hosting time. We are happy to assist you with your needs.
The Refuge may hire an overnight security guard when applicable, please be aware that this will be one individual that is not involved with The Refuge that can provide overnight supervision from 12am to 6am only.
During a possible pandemic- please note that The Refuge is required to follow all guidelines set forth by the CDC. Please visit our website for further information.
Refuge Host Church Checklist
(approximate timeline)
6 weeks
o Determine schedules
o Post a volunteer sign up sheet, you may create your own or print sample template from The Refuge website.
o Create & post announcements to be used in the church
o Put Refuge week notice in church bulletin/publications
4 weeks
o Schedule all volunteer training-available via The Refuge Website video/manual
o Ensure all volunteers then sign a volunteer agreement form online via The Refuge website
o Determine layout/use of spaces to accommodate guests of The Refuge adequately.
2 Weeks
o Reach out to The Refuge Church Coordinator if you are having difficulties getting volunteers to fill your host week.
o Be sure to print any materials you may need for your host week via The Refuge website.
o Purchase any necessary supplies for meals/meal prep.
1 Week
o Contact current host site coordinator for the week immediately prior to yours (please check your email for a current schedule for the Hosting Season) to arrange for transfer of The Refuge materials. The 2 coordinators will decide how that is to occur. i.e Who picks up or delivers.
Refuge Week
Saturday
o Confirm Sunday volunteers
Sunday
o Receive materials for Refuge week from previous church.
o Mats
o First Aid Kit
o Clean Up Kit
o Remove identifying materials from church walls
o Set up Refuge areas
o Post signs
o Confirm Monday volunteers
o Receive guests
o Go over house rules
Monday
o Confirm next day's volunteers
o Receive guests
o Go over house rules
Tuesday
o Confirm next day's volunteers
o Receive guests
Go over house rules
o Wednesday
o Confirm next day's volunteers
o Receive guests
o Go over house rules
Thursday
o Confirm next day's volunteers
o Receive guests
o Go over house rules
Friday
o Confirm next day's volunteers
o Receive guests
o Go over house rules
Saturday
o Confirm next day's volunteers
o Receive guests
o Go over house rules
o Confirm Refuge material delivery time for next week's church
Sunday (2)
o Collect soiled linens
o Have guests wipe down mats with disinfectant.
o Pack Refuge materials
o Have guests help clean & reset rooms for church
o Deliver Refuge materials to next church or make other arrangements with next coordinator.
1009 NORTH SAGINAW STREET
LAPEER, MICHIGAN 48446
810.667.3886
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