• Common Supplies
• Home Safety Tip Sheet

Recruit team members or volunteers to help with the installation- this method works well for larger shelters with more than 12 families. We have found it best practice to assign each volunteer to one or two items that he or she will install throughout the house. We like to move as a team through each room/apartment to ensure each room is completed before moving onto the next. If no one in the group is comfortable installing the items that require tools, coordinate with the shelter director to have their maintenance person install. This is a great method to build your volunteer coalition and a great way to get donors involved. 

This method helps to empower the residents. Have them install the items following the education session and then you and your team can do a quick walk-through to ensure everything is installed correctly.  For items that need adjusting, use this as a learning experience rather than pointing out a mistake. Some residents prefer to install the items in their bedrooms while you and your team goes through the common areas. Do not be afraid to ask the residents what method they would prefer.  

This method is helpful if you do not have staff or volunteers available. During the walk-through, have the most common supplies on hand and provide a quick in-service of how the item works. You can ship the materials directly to the shelter or bring to the education night.  Once the staff has installed everything, you can do a walk-through to ensure everything is installed correctly and if they omitted items, ask for feedback. 

Combine any of the methods listed above depending on the shelter needs.  With COVID restrictions, the education session can be done via zoom as well as the checking of the installed items. Take a cue from the Shelter Director, they know their residents and will have insight on what methods would work best for their shelter. 

Finding volunteers can be difficult.  We have partnered with a variety of groups such as:

• Police academies- most classes have to complete a community service project 
• Carpenter's unions- most apprentices must complete several projects as their training- utilize this group for carpentry projects such as radiator covers 
• Law offices
• Poison control center 
• Asthma programs 
• Lead Poisoning prevention groups
• Community service groups at local colleges