I've been on the morning shift for the first 2.5 weeks. I'm curious about the evening shift but not enough to ask to change...The morning shift is 7am to 2pm which is early for me but doable. We meet in the office for a moment of meditation, introduction (there are often new faces with community volunteers or new short term volunteers) and then assignments. Each shift leader does their own moment of meditation--2 min of silence, 5 min with a song, guided meditation off a phone and then a question or opportunity to share after.
Assignments vary (of course).
There is the firewatch--since we are in a large warehouse that wasn't originally for live in use the fire dept asks that someone walks around the whole place every half hour...this place is big enough that it takes at least 45 min to get around the whole thing...so we do one when we can...at least one a shift and then as we are all out in all parts of the building the rest of the time, we assume we'll be alerted. This is also a walk around to see what else needs to be done--trash, cleaning of different parts, restocking of supplies here or there, etc.
There is breakfast. Getting the coffee ready (making sure it is plugged in as it is made the night before), pulling out sugar and milk, bowls or plates, plastic ware, helping set up when the food arrives and then serving. This is also a time to make sure people know when they need to be ready to leave on the shuttle- a bit easier to hear in the Comidor as opposed to the Dormitory.
Someone is in charge of Salidas (Departures). Guests are asked to be in the Cuarto de Salidas about half an hour before the shuttle arrives. That way we can make sure they are ready, they have their things, we can get them coats if they are going to cold destinations, we give them bags of food and snacks for the trip and can give them some information about the airport or bus station. (There are volunteers at the airport as well to help them checkin to their flights and print their tickets.)
Laundry: not much to be added here. It gets picked up from the Dormitory and from outside of the showers. People are encouraged to keep their clothes and hand wash it so that they have a change of clothes, but anything they don't want gets washed and put in the Roperia (see below) as well as blankets, towels, and cot covers that everyone receives on arrival. It is an always ongoing project.
Roperia: the clothing closet. When we have enough staff and clothing everyone can go to the Roperia. There they can pick out one change of clothes for their time here with us (that's why we recommend they keep what they came in). This includes a short sleeved shirt, long sleeved shirt, pants, underwear and socks. We don't always have the right sizes but we do promise that they are clean. This choosing takes a long time-everyone is looking for the perfect thing (which we usually don't have).
Dispensa: the place to get the basics. Everyone goes to the dispensa (even if we can't open the Roperia). There we have bed rolls (cot cover, blanket and towel) tooth paste, tooth brushes, combs, lotion, fingernail clippers, deodorant, diapers, socks and underwear, etc.
Travel bags get made for everyone leaving. Sandwiches, snacks and water (if not flying) and possibly a toy and blanket if on a long bus trip. We also make baggies of baby formula that people can take with them.
There is always something to do. Clean up, move around, get ready for the next arrival, and send guest on the way to their destinations...play and talk with people.
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