Sharing your experiences and abilities through our Volunteer program is one of the best ways to feel connected to our community and very much needed and appreciated.

We promise you'll receive much more than you give!

Are you looking for a worthwhile cause to support with your time, experience and talents? We have a variety of volunteer opportunities for people with all sorts of interests and schedules. We invite you to consider becoming a Friend or a Trained Volunteer. We need you - and we definitely appreciate you!

Trained Volunteers share their time, talents and compassion with the patients and families we serve. Trained Volunteers are required to participate in a screening and orientation process. At orientation, Volunteers learn about our mission, expectations for Volunteers, techniques for handling confidentiality issues and personal boundaries and ways to enhance good listening skills.

• Patient/Family Support volunteers visit patients and families on a regular basis or as needs arise. Visits may occur at a patient's home, at our inpatient facility, skilled nursing facility or at assisted living facilities. Volunteers may provide respite for family members, allowing them to go out for errands or get much needed rest with the understanding that their loved one is safe and secure with the Avow Hospice volunteer. At facilities, Trained Volunteers provide friendly visits to the Avow Hospice patients living in the facility. Some patient/family support volunteers choose to sit with patients or caregivers for longer periods of time when death is imminent. Trained Volunteers may also choose to become Doula Companions. These volunteers receive advanced training and commit to being present with patients who are at risk of dying alone. Their focus is to be with the patient through the dying process.
• Treasures & Books volunteers help at our resale shop that benefits our operating budget. These volunteers wait on customers, assist with inventory preparation and create displays.
• Office Support volunteers assist our staff by performing a variety of office tasks. These volunteers may also assist with special fund-raising events.
• PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful Souls) volunteers share their time and pets with Avow Hospice patients and families. PAWS volunteers visit our inpatient facility, assisted living facilities or skilled nursing facilities. All pet participants must be screened by Avow Hospice staff and dogs must be American Kennel Club Canine Good Citizens.

Friends typically are people who enjoy participating in office and event-related activities. Friends do not have interaction with patients and families and are not required to participate in orientation. Friends provide needed support in a variety of areas, including:

• Special Event Support - Friends may work with outside organizations that hold special events to benefit us, such as golf tournaments, boat parades and art shows. Friends may be called on to sell raffle tickets or act as hosts or hostesses. Most events take place days, evenings and weekends from October through April each year.
• Mailing Support - Friends assist our Public Relations and Development staffs with mailings to the community. Activities include folding, stuffing, tabbing and labeling mailers.

Friends of Avow Hospice who desire to work with patients and families or who wish to become Trained Volunteers may register for training at any time.

If you are a full-time resident of Collier County, please consider sharing your time
and talents with us year-round. Our ranks of volunteers swell and shrink with
the Season - but our patients' needs for them never changes. We always
have volunteer assignments available and will be happy to find one or more
that fits your schedule.