Volunteer Roles and Responsibilities Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago

Founded in 1917, Catholic Charities is the official social service agency of the Archdiocese of Chicago. As an agency of the Archdiocese, Catholic Charities is required to participate in the National Training Program of the United States Bishops: Protecting Gods Children. This program requires that volunteers have a written application on file with the Catholic organization where they perform their volunteer service. Depending on the type of preferred volunteer service, the potential volunteer may be required to participate in Virtus, a child sexual abuse awareness training program and undergo appropriate background and reference checks. The following list explains Catholic Charities requirements for different types of volunteer service: 1. Occasional Volunteers - Volunteers work at one-time only volunteer events, such as parties, receptions and fundraising events where staff and parents are present. Applications, criminal background checks and reference checks are not necessary, but volunteers are required to sign the Volunteer Sign-In Sheet that is provided at each event. 2. Regular, Ongoing Volunteers Where Children Are Not Present Volunteers work at locations where there are no children present, such as packing commodities or assisting in an office. Volunteers are required to submit a written application and undergo criminal background and reference checks. Virtus Training is strongly encouraged as well. 3. Regular, Ongoing Volunteers Where Seniors and Other Vulnerable People Are Present Volunteers work with seniors and/or adults who would be considered vulnerable due to age, physical or mental capacity, or economic conditions. Volunteers are required to submit a written application and undergo criminal background and reference checks. 4. Regular, Ongoing Volunteers Where Children Are Present Volunteers work at locations where children are present, such as family shelters, performing clerical duties at an Early Childhood, etc. Volunteers are required to submit a written application, complete Virtus Training and undergo criminal background and reference checks prior to beginning volunteer work. 5. Regular, Ongoing Volunteers Working Directly with Children Volunteers work directly with children in jobs such as tutoring, reading to children at family shelters and supervising children. Volunteers are required to submit a written application and undergo criminal background and reference checks. In addition to completing the Virtus Training prior to beginning volunteer work, they must complete ten ongoing training modules online throughout the year. In addition to the criminal background check performed on behalf of Catholic Charities, the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) requires their own background check, which includes fingerprinting.

Volunteer Process The volunteer completes an application and returns it to Catholic Charities Volunteer Relations. The volunteer includes the name, address, city, state and zip code of three references. These references are contacted by mail. Once all of the volunteers three references are returned, the volunteer is notified and asked to schedule an appointment for an interview with the Office of Volunteer Relations. At the interview, agency programs are reviewed volunteer is given an opportunity to choose the program(s) that best fits his or her interests. If applicable, appropriate criminal background checks required by the program chosen by the volunteer are discussed in detail and signed (provided the program does not require fingerprinting). If Virtus Training is required, the class is a one-time, free exercise offered on a monthly or bimonthly basis at convenient times and locations throughout Cook and Lake Counties. The class usually runs just over two hours and registration can be done at www.archchicago.org. This training will provide a certificate of completion and a copy of this certificate will be kept on file with Volunteer Relations. This training needs to be completed within three months of the interview.

For additional information, please contact: Michael McDonnell Director of Volunteer Relations Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago 721 N. LaSalle MC# 111-2N Chicago, IL 60654 (312) 655-7322 mmcdonne@catholiccharities.net

1/09