Program Assistant

ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY

Guest House provides temporary lodging for medical patients and their families who seek medical treatment from Chicago area hospitals. Guest House is the only organization in Chicago that serves all ages, all diagnoses, inpatients, and outpatients. Guest House offers 53 fully furnished one- and two-bedroom apartments, located within walking distance of some of our partner hospitals in the Illinois Medical District including UI Health, Rush University Medical Center, and Stroger Hospital of Cook County. Our other partners are Northwestern Medicine, and UChicago Medicine. Guest House also provides lodging to military veterans with PTSD, receiving treatment through the Road Home Program at Rush.

GENERAL SUMMARY

The Volunteer Program exists to provide a supportive and encouraging environment, as well as volunteer opportunities that benefit and support the guests who stay at Guest House. The Volunteer Program Assistant is responsible for keeping the communication of our programming current, being a welcoming presence for those visiting the Guest House Community Room, assisting with meals and after-dinner programming, and keeping track of the volunteer data accumulated through group and individual projects. The Volunteer Program Assistant will interact with medical patients and family members staying at Guest House as they come into the Community Room, most often when they attend weeknight dinners and Saturday volunteer programming.The Volunteer Program Assistant reports to the Manager of Volunteers and Programming.

Desired Schedule:

• 30 hours per week
• Tuesday: 12:00pm – 8:00pm (8 hrs)
• Wednesday: 12:00pm – 6:00pm (6 hrs)
• Thursday: 12:00pm – 8:00pm (8 hrs)
• Two Saturdays per month: 9:00am – 3:00pm (6 hrs)
• + additional hours may be added for Associate Board meetings, staff meetings, special Guest House events, etc.
• Programming is set for Thursdays and Saturdays; we plan to add regular Tuesday dinners and programming to the schedule; other hours and days can be adjusted per availability

Administrative (30%)

• Follow and uphold Guest House rules, regulations, and protocols
• Create weekly & monthly program materials using Canva and distribute to guests and staff
• Maintain data collection for volunteer and guest program reports
• Learn and become proficient in using Donor/Volunteer software program: Arreva
• Other tasks and duties as assigned

Programming & Guest Relations (70%)

• Work with the Manager to coordinate and manage weeknight meals and Saturday events
• Adhere to all food safety guidelines
• Maintain volunteer and program calendars
• Register and orient new volunteers to Guest House mission and tasks of volunteer project/s
• Communicate in a timely manner with the volunteer leader when being the GH team lead for projects
• Document events with photos and follow up with emails to the volunteer leader and GH Manager
• Assist guests with inquiries and direct to the appropriate department staff
• Communicate clearly verbal directions to someone unfamiliar with Chicago

Qualifications and Skills

• College degree or equivalent experience require
• Strong communication skills and detail oriented
• Comfortable using Microsoft products including Excel and Outlook and willing to learn new programs
• Ability to learn to work with CRM systems or databases required, experience preferred
• Comfortable working in a kitchen; Food Handler’s Certification preferred but not required
• Good decision-making ability to protect the safety, privacy, and security of guests
• Able to empathize with people in difficult medical situations
• Positive attitude with a willingness to jump in where needed