Catherine House Inc.
Catherine House Associates
‘Ideas Help List’
Background
Increasingly Catherine House has been delighted at the level of support and interest shown by the South Australian community – individuals, corporate bodies and community and business groups – in our work to find long-term solutions to the issue of women’s homelessness in SA.
As an organisation we are deeply grateful for all the financial, in-kind and volunteer support (over 60) that we receive, from a wide range of Associates who generously assist us in our work.
Upon request, the following ideas are offered to assist new and/or existing Associates decide how best they would like to work with us:
Strategic Level:
Register your interest to help in any of the following areas:
- For future Board or Trust (fundraising arm) vacancies by forwarding your CV to the director.
- In being contacted for any pro-bono professional advice that might need to be sought from time to time.
- In being prepared to run a pro-bono workshop on a needed topic, as determined by the Board, Trust and/or staff or volunteers group.
Professional Expertise:
- Being a voluntary tutor at Sagarmatha our education and employment centre. Each semester the Sagarmatha course coordinator prepares the curriculum for a wide variety of learning opportunities for clients and members.
- Assisting with event management tasks prior to and at key fundraising events, hands-on professional expertise, perhaps for a day or longer for a specific project.
- Being available to assist with major works i.e. project-driven renovation, installation of a cool room etc., or fund such work.
Practical Help:
- Be an Evening Meals Preparation Assistant, arrive at 5.15pm to cook vegetables, heat-up main meal and serve it to 16 clients in our emergency accommodation. Evening staff available for direction and support.
- Be a day-time housekeeping assistant, doing various housekeeping tasks.
- Organise a team to assist with the half-yearly 'Project Clean-Up' in April and October. Help with a variety of tasks - general cleaning, cleaning pavers, touch-up painting, gardening, clearing out unwanted items, doing some maintenance tasks.
- Source necessary equipment to assist with ‘Clean-up’ i.e. cleaning pavers, appropriate ladders etc. Discuss beforehand with staff and develop a joint plan of action
- Coordinate, collect and deliver good quality clothing for our ‘working wardrobe’ – criteria available.
- Come along on a Sunday morning with scrumptious breakfast, cook and serve it to the 16 clients in our emergency program.
Fundraising Support
- Have a ‘themed’ meal at your home, host a ‘Come Dine with Me/Masterchef’ meal in your home and charge your friends.
- Have a ‘cup-cake’ morning/afternoon tea at home or work.
- Hold a casual day at work/school.
- Hold a corporate or community fundraising event to help fund our education and employment program.
- Take a table/part table at a Catherine House fundraising event.
- Participate in a Catherine House fundraising event i.e. the City to Bay Fun Run.
- Help to publicise Catherine House events corporately and personally.
- Donate/collect gifts for clients for Christmas and birthdays.
- Donate toiletries and other items for women coming into the emergency program.
- Consider the work of Catherine House when making/changing your Will.
A Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) philosophy and action plan has increasingly become a key strategic initiative for corporate bodies, and other community groups, in recent years. It is well-documented that staff value working for an organisation that has a lively and very genuine CSR policy in place. Catherine House is pleased to further discuss with its corporate associates how best it can formulate a strong and vital working partnership that is mutually beneficial.