Become a Valued Volunteer at Hope Hospice

Donating your time as a volunteer with Hope Hospice can change your life and the life of others. Hospice volunteers have the unique opportunity to help individuals during one of their greatest times of need. The simplest of gestures can have a meaningful impact on someone at the end of their life and provide an enriching experience for you.

As a Hope Hospice volunteer you become a member of a team that is dedicated to surrounding our patients and their families with care. Hope Hospice volunteers are sensitive to the needs of others, have an open and compassionate heart, have good listening skills, are non-judgmental about the beliefs and lifestyles of others, and have sufficiently resolved any long term or recent losses. All volunteers are required to complete an application, interview, background check, orientation, and participate in an annual training course provided by Hope Hospice.  Click here for more information about the fall 2010 Community Training.

Our volunteers sum it up best in their own words:

“I was so glad I could give back to Hope Hospice by volunteering after they had done such a wonderful job helping my mother and our family during our time of need. And what truly amazed me was that giving back in this way also gave me something back as well.”

“Being a volunteer has been the best part of my week. I enjoy making a difference in other people’s lives.”

“As a volunteer, I am proud to represent Hope Hospice in the community – it’s a jewel in our community that I think everyone should know about it.”

“I wasn’t comfortable visiting people in their homes but working in the office and with the special events still made me feel like I was contributing.”

Volunteer Opportunities at Hope Hospice

Home Care Volunteer
The homecare volunteer provides much needed relief care for the family caring for their loved one. Activities may include visiting with the patient or family member, reading to the patient, doing light household chores, sitting with the patient while the caregiver runs an errand or takes a nap, and the like. A commitment of 2-4 hours/week is required and you must be at least 18 years old.

Vigil Volunteer
Vigil volunteers offer a calm presence at the bedside of someone during their active dying process. Training is provided to learn to be a vigil volunteer. You must be at least 18 years old and commit to
4 hour shifts.

Grief Support Volunteer
The grief support volunteer provides one-on-one support for the family or caregiver who has experienced a loss through home visits, phone calls and special mailings for up to 13 months, as needed. Training in the grief process is provided. A commitment of 3-5 hours/week is required and you must be at least 18 years old

Grief Support Group Volunteer Leader
Hope Hospice offers grief support groups twice a month for anyone in the community who is going through grief. The groups are led by experienced grief support volunteers who typically have a background in a related counseling field (LCSW, MFT, MSW).

Children’s Grief Support Volunteer
Children’s grief support volunteers help prepare materials for the children’s groups which are held on site at Hope Hospice. Activities may include participating in group activities with the kids, monitoring children and providing support for the children. Good listening skills and the ability to be comfortable with those in emotional pain is needed. Grief support training is provided and required. In addition to the standard background check, a fingerprint background check is mandatory.  Must be at least 18 years old.

Office Volunteer
Volunteers are needed to work in the office filing, organizing materials, preparing mailings and helping with general office work. Volunteers can work a few hours weekly or be “on-call” for special projects.  Office experience preferred. Office hours are Monday – Friday 9am- 5 pm. Must be at least 16 years old.

Ambassador
Our ambassadors are a critical part of our community outreach. They have the special task of presenting the benefits of Hope Hospice in the community. Opportunities include giving short talks at community groups, and staffing booths at community events. Volunteers are fully trained about the benefits of Hope Hospice and provided a helpful script and DVD to use in their presentations. We are seeking individuals who are comfortable speaking publicly and are eager to spread the word about Hope Hospice.  

Special Events Volunteer
Hope Hospice holds several special fund raising events in the Tri-Valley area throughout the year. We are seeking enthusiastic volunteers to help organize and staff these events.

Video Biographer
Hope Hospice offers a unique service to record and produce a life history of our patients. This includes recording an interview, collecting information and photos and then editing and producing a DVD or tape for the family to have as a keepsake. The volunteer must have their own equipment; digital camera, editing program, computer, and method of transportation. 

Click here to request more information for your area of interest. We will contact you to set up a phone interview. Or, if you prefer, call us at (925) 829-8770 or 1 (800) Hospice and ask to speak with the Coordinator of Volunteers.