Volunteer at TIHAN
As a volunteer-based non-profit
organization, the Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network relies
on the generous support of our volunteers. TIHAN's amazing
team of more than 200 volunteers have provided more than
15,000 hours of service.
TIHAN services we provide
require compassionate and committed volunteers. Volunteers
are provided with the necessary training, education and support
to fulfill our mission of offering unconditional love and
non-medical support to those living with HIV/AIDS, as well
as their loved ones. Quarterly training sessions and continuing
education programs are held to keep volunteers abreast of
the latest issues related to HIV and AIDS.
To learn more about becoming
a volunteer and the many volunteer opportunities available
and to find out the dates of our next volunteer training
please contact Director of Education and Community
Relations, Ari Kelly at 299-6647 or Ari@tihan.org.
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Congregational
Liaisons
Each congregation has
an individual member of that congregation who serves as liaison
between the congregation and TIHAN. If your congregation
does not have a liason and you are interested in serving
in that capacity, please let us know.
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Ideas
for Congregational HIV/AIDS Ministries
What follows is a list
of ideas for you to consider. Each and every one of them
can and will make a tremendous impact. Mentioning the words
HIV and AIDS, breaking the silence and fear, is an incredible
breakthrough. The fear and stigma attached to this disease
can be transformed through simple acts of openness, compassion,
and the power of unconditional love. We invite you to reflect
upon the following ideas.
Encourage your community
of faith to actively deal with the HIV crisis. Since, unfortunately,
it is only a matter of time until someone affected by HIV
comes forward and requests caring, compassionate counseling,
all communities of faith and their leaders must be prepared
to counsel persons with HIV and their families.
TIHAN is asking congregations
to provide desserts for the Food for Life program, which
delivers daily meals to homebound persons with AIDS. A few
dozen cookies or a sheet cake several times a year would
be a great help, and make a great difference.
Offer prayers for those
affected by HIV. Place their names and prayers on your prayer
chain/prayer circle.
Recruit members of your
congregation to participate in the Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS
Network, and have a representative attend TIHAN's quarterly
congregational liaison meetings.
Publicize in your faith
community's newsletter or bulletin. The words HIV and AIDS
have been kept "in the closet" in our communities
of faith for so long, and it's important that we let people
know that it's okay to talk about it. It's time for the shame
and the secrecy to come to an end. Publicize meetings and
events related to AIDS. Ask for donations for housing programs
for people with HIV. Recognize and acknowledge members of
your faith community for volunteering in the areas of AIDS
ministry.
Sponsor an educational
forum to raise awareness and eliminate fears, perhaps on
World AIDS Day (December 1).
Begin HIV/AIDS education
in your faith community. There may be too many barriers to
this occurring immediately, but start planting some seeds.
TIHAN has excellent curriculum materials for children, youth,
and adults, and we are happy to work with you to design a
session that will meet the needs of your congregation. Studies
may include a panel discussion consisting of person(s) who
are HIV-positive, a parent of a person living with HIV/AIDS,
and a primary care partner of someone with HIV. You might
develop a series of special events to include guest speakers
and religious leaders who will provide accurate information
and instill compassion.
Form an HIV/AIDS advisory
group within your faith community to advise all segments
of your community on ways to be inclusive of people living
with HIV, their families, and all those affected.
Have bake sales or sell
AIDS ribbons to support the work of TIHAN.
Support "Poz Cafe," TIHAN's
monthly program providing lunch and social opportunities
for HIV+ persons. Help is needed with rides, food, supplies,
games, etc.
Work with TIHAN to have
members of your congregation host social, recreational or
cultural events events for people living with HIV.
Conduct a worship service
on compassion and AIDS ministry.
Place your name on the
mailing lists of TIHAN and local AIDS service organizations.
Network with other communities
of faith for ideas and support through the educational process.
Publicize and attend events,
plays, and movies related to AIDS to further awaken to how
this disease affects all of us.
Coordinate a program to
solicit contributions for holiday gifts to Tucsonans living
with HIV and their families. The Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation
seeks assistance with their holiday program.
Join with the Tucson Interfaith
HIV/AIDS Network in creating and participating in community-wide
quarterly Services of Healing and Hope.
Expand your community
of faith's library to include books, videos, and other resources
on HIV/AIDS.
Develop a clear policy
concerning members and employees who may contract HIV.
Encourage your community
of faith to subscribe to and circulate magazines that help
to address issues of diversity and inclusiveness which can
help broaden the understanding of issues frequently associated
with HIV/AIDS.
Find out what other communities
of faith in the community are doing about HIV/AIDS.
Request that your congregation's
governing body develop a statement of support for those affected
by HIV. TIHAN has resources for developing a Covenant to
Care, a covenant to be a place of welcome to all persons
whose lives are affected by HIV.
Most importantly,
MODEL COMPASSION.
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Volunteer
Impact Report
TIHAN volunteers are
requested to fill out a Volunteer Impact Report monthly.
Volunteer Impact Reports heighten our awareness of how much
our volunteers do for us, give us required statistics for
grant applications and tracking, and help us understand how we
can improve our relationship with our volunteers.
Email
The easiest way to
submit your volunteer hours is to download the Word form, fill it
in, and email it back to us!
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Click on the Word version
above and save the file to your computer.
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Open the file, fill
in both pages of the form, and save it.
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Email the file to
TIHAN’s Volunteer Coordinator at kim@tihan.org.
Put "Volunteer Impact Report" in the email
subject line with your name and the reporting month(s).
Fax, Mail or In
Person
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Open either the
Word or PDF version online, or save the file to your
computer and then open.
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Print out both pages
of the form and fill them in.
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Turn in your report:
Fax it to TIHAN at the number on the form. No cover
sheet is necessary.
Mail it to:
TIHAN
1011 North Craycroft Road #301
Tucson AZ 85711
Submit it in person at the TIHAN office; the
Receptionist will be sure our Volunteer Coordinator
receives it.
Thank you!
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