Volunteers have always been critical to the success of Martha’s Place.  They have helped us achieve tremendous accomplishments on lean budgets since 1996 and continue to play a vital role in our ongoing work.  Listed below are several areas of opportunity for those interested in volunteering with Martha’s Place.

House manager assistance

· Martha’s Place uses several house managers to oversee its 6-month transitional program at 1928 Pennsylvania Avenue.  House managers apply program guidelines, let Martha’s Place residents in and out of the building, and serve as the first liaison between residents and the Martha’s Place staff.  Volunteers typically assist with this critical role by providing coverage in shifts ranging from a few hours to overnight stays. 

Wednesday meals

· Martha’s Place holds a dinner meeting for its residents every Wednesday.  The meeting begins at 5:30pm with a communal meal, follows with a brief meeting on house issues, and is followed by a guest speaker presentation.  Martha’s Place appreciates volunteers who are willing to help either by preparing the evening’s meal (generally to serve 15-20 people) or by facilitating the evening’s presentation.  Topics for these sessions are developed ahead of time with the Executive Director of Martha’s Place and have ranged from talks by individuals about their recovery experiences, to poetry classes, to arts and crafts activities.

Office support

· Martha’s Place utilizes volunteers willing to assist with general office duties such as answering phones, folding and stamping mailings, and general assistance to the office staff.

Financial supporters

·  In 2000 Martha’s Place opened its doors to serve women overcoming drug addiction and during this time has regularly worked to raise the funds needed to meet the costs of providing these services.  With an annual budget of roughly $220,000 Martha’s Place has found that our individual supporters - who have given amounts ranging from $25 to $30,000 - have all been invaluable as they have collectively been the greatest factor enabling us to meet our funding needs and continue the work of Martha’s Place.

Board membership

·  Since becoming a 501(c)3 nonprofit in 1996, the Board of Directors of Newborn Holistic Ministries, Inc. has overseen Martha’s Place.  Board members represent a broad range of talents and skills and serve by reviewing policies, fundraising, providing fiscal oversight, and advocating for Martha’s Place.  The board regularly seeks to add members who offer skills and a passion to improve our communities by enhancing the work of Martha’s Place.