Q-Spot (Inclusive and affirming space for Queer youth)

POSITION: Q-Spot Volunteer

REPORTS TO: Director of Youth and Family Programs

SCHEDULE: Weekday 1pm – 5pm; Weekends 11am – 3pm

COMMITMENT: Ongoing

LOCATION: Lavender Heights, Q-Spot

SUMMARY: The Q-Spot Volunteer supports the Sacramento LGBT Community Center’s Youth Respite Program, which provides LGBTQ+ youth with essential resources, supportive services, and a safe, affirming space for community connection. Volunteers play a vital role in creating a welcoming environment by engaging with youth participants, distributing supplies, and helping maintain a clean, organized, and inclusive space.

Volunteers serving in youth programs must successfully pass a background check prior to placement.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Client Support: Assist youth participants by providing food, hygiene items, survival supplies, and other resources offered through Q-Spot.
2. Resource Tracking: Accurately record resources distributed to clients for program evaluation and grant reporting purposes.
3. Youth Engagement: Build positive relationships with youth participants through conversation, games, and inclusive activities that foster trust and community.
4. Safety & Reporting: Maintain awareness of participant well-being and promptly report any concerns related to neglect, abuse, or safety to Center staff.
5. Program Support: Assist with maintaining the cleanliness, organization, and welcoming atmosphere of the Q-Spot space.
6. Community Building: Help foster an affirming environment that promotes belonging, respect, and inclusion for all youth clients.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

1. Background Check: Successful completion of a criminal background check is required for all youth program volunteers.
2. Youth Engagement: Experience working or volunteering with youth is preferred but not required.
3. Language Skills: Bilingual ability in a threshold language (e.g., Spanish, ASL, Mandarin, Hmong, Hindi, Vietnamese, Tagalog, or Punjabi) is highly desirable.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Commitment to the Organization: Passion for the Center’s mission and dedication to fostering a region where LGBTQ+ people thrive. Adherence to all organizational policies and procedures.
2. LGBTQ+ Community Awareness: Experience working with the LGBTQ+ community and familiarity with issues affecting LGBTQ+ individuals.
3. Respect & Inclusion: Demonstrated respect for all individuals’ real or perceived sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression—including pronoun use.
4. Commitment to Equity: Dedication to anti-racism and racial equity principles, and the ability to work effectively in an intersectional environment with people of diverse backgrounds and identities.
5. Communication Skills: Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills in English; ability to convey detailed spoken instructions and engage effectively with youth participants.
6. Physical Requirements: Ability to sit or stand for extended periods, move objects up to 50 pounds, and navigate tight spaces. Ability to operate office equipment, communicate via phone or radio, and maintain accurate records. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
7. Drug-Free Workplace: The Sacramento LGBT Community Center maintains a drug-free environment. Volunteers who report for service under the influence are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:

The Sacramento LGBT Community Center works to create a region where LGBTQ people thrive. We support the health and wellness of the most marginalized, advocate for equality and justice, and work to build a culturally rich LGBTQ+ community.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY:

The Sacramento LGBT Community Center is proud to be an equal opportunity organization. People of color, women, persons with disabilities, and persons who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex are encouraged to participate. The Center maintains a policy of non-discrimination with respect to employees, volunteers, interns, and applicants. No aspect of employment will be influenced in any matter by race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, physical disability (including HIV or AIDS), medical/mental condition, perceived physical disability or veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by statute.