WHAT TO EXPECT

On this page you'll learn more about our work activities, schedule, accommodation and the local area. You can also find important information about our code of conduct.

TYPICAL WORKDAY

The day starts at around 6:30 am when our team wakes up to get ready for work. Typically the work day is from 8am - 3:30pm. Please keep in mind the day to day schedule can vary slightly. This can be dependent on the needs of the homeowners we help and our local partners. After you return home from the worksite, you will have a chance to unwind, relax and reflect on your day, and review work assignments for the following day.

Working in a disaster zone in the response phase requires patience. The situation can remain dynamic and plans maybe forced to change at the last minute. While it will appear there are always things to be done, it is important they are done correctly and in coordination with the community we serve and our NGO partners.

SCHEDUlE

We're currently working across a 5 day work week, ensuring all volunteers and staff have some time to rest. Which will look like the schedule below:

Work days - Monday - Friday

Days off - Saturdays & Sundays

Below is what a typical workday will look like. We try very hard to ensure a level of consistency in our Daily Schedule. However, due to the nature of our work there is a potential for slight variations to the workday. We require flexibility from all volunteers and staff.

- 6:30 am - Quiet hours end (8am on weekends)

- 6:30 am - 7:00 am - Breakfast, getting ready for the day

- 7:00 am to 8:30 am - Head out for the work site (start times may vary depending on our partners & traffic)

- 11:30 pm - 1 hour lunch (lunch times may vary depending on the specific worksite)

- 3:00 pm - Work day ends. Teams arrive back to base

- 5:15 pm - Mandatory meeting

- 6:00 pm - Dinner

- 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm - Free time, Chores/ Clean up

- 9:00 pm - Curfew begins, all volunteers and staff back on base. Quiet hours begin

MONTHLY break

In a disaster relief setting and communal living environment, it’s important that we take time away for our physical and, most importantly, mental health. All staff and volunteers are required to take a two-day break away from the program every month; all costs associated with this are covered by the individual taking a break.

WORK ACTIVITIES

Our primary scope of work focus is Smoke Remediation. We are not working in homes that have direct fire damage. This specialized deep cleaning process removes harmful contaminants where smoke and ash have settled in homes surrounding the burn zone. Smoke Remediation is a tedious, but necessary step to allow community members to move back into their homes. In order to ensure the health and safety of our volunteers, we will be providing all of your Personal Protection Equipment(PPE) including a Tyvek suit, googles, respirator, gloves and a hard hat. All of this is required to be worn throughout the workday.

All Hands and Hearts is assisting our partner NDLON with this scope of work. Volunteers will be given step by step training on how to effectively complete smoke remediation on site. If you have any questions about smoke remediation please reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator, Rose.

The work is partly focused around distribution centers and interfacing directly with impacted community members. This may mean full days of standing on your feet, using technology, and talking to disaster affected people, rather than performing physical labor. Work also involves supporting partners such as CORE, or other organizations based on their needs.

We want to be available to our partners and prepared for when the work is there. We need a high level of understanding, patience, and flexibility to be able to support this community as appropriately as possible.

WORK PICTURES

Volunteers performing Smoke Remediation. This includes meticulous cleaning of the whole home as well as all items inside the home.

Volunteers working with the community at distribution sites

ACCOMODATIONS & FACILITIES

Base is where you will live, eat and play during your time on program! It is communal living at its finest. Some call it rustic, others call it home. Base is usually co-ed bunk style dorm rooms with assorted common areas for eating and relaxing. You will need to be prepared to bring all of your own bedding and sleeping equipment. You can take a look at our packing list here.

We’re currently housing our team in an Airbnb. This is a modern family home that we have converted into a communal living space. We have air mattresses and bedding available for our volunteers, but you are also more than welcome to bring your our. The house has 2.5 bathrooms that our team share, as well and laundry facilities and a fully equiped kitchen.

base pictures

Our program has been based out of an Airbnb, but it is still communal living at its finest! Please expect shared rooms and common spaces. Below you will find a few photos of our Airbnb base.

Indoor and outdoor common spaces

Kitchen and dining area

Shared sleeping and bathroom areas

FOOD

We provide three meals a day, on each working day. There will be no meals provided on your days off. Some examples of standard meals are below

Breakfast: Oats, Peanut Butter, Jam, Bread, Eggs, Tea and Coffee
Lunch: Many of our sites are currently providing free lunch to volunteers from food vans, there is also the option to make sandwiches/ salads for a packed lunch.
Dinner: Staff and volunteers take it in turn to cook on base vegetarian options (different types of meat with vegetables, pasta, salads, vegetarian options are also available)

Vegetarian diets can be accommodated but vegans and those with specific dietary requirements will need to supplement what we can provide with items they bring or source and purchase themselves. You will be able to store personal food items on the shelves but there may not be any refrigerated personal space. You will be able to use the kitchen whenever meals are not being cooked for base.

THE LOCAL AREA

We're currently located in Covina, approximately 30 minuets drive from Ontario Airport. The Uber ride from airport to base is about 40 mins and cost approximately $50.

We are right in the heart of the greater Los Angeles Metro area, about 30 minutes away from Pasadena. There are stores, ATMs and restaurants open, so you'll have access to any necessary amenities after work and on days off.

Many of our volunteers spend the day off at the beach, hiking or enjoying the various entertainment Los Angeles has to offer.

THE WEATHER

You will be visiting Los Angeles during the warmer months. We are experiencing hot, sunny Southern California summer weather. You can expect average highs in the mid to low 90's degrees Fahrenheit/32 degrees Celsius. It is also likely to be cooler at night with an average low of 60 degrees Fahrenheit/19 degrees Celsius. Please pack accordingly and be sure to check the local weather prior to joining us.

OUR CODE OF CONDUCT

We welcome and host both volunteers and staff from all over the world. You will be exposed to different cultures, social etiquette and personalities. It is critical that regardless of who you meet or where you come from that you respect each individual, as well as their personal belongings. The organization adheres to a zero tolerance policy around harassment (sexual or otherwise), violence and theft. Please read our Code of Conduct before applying to volunteer. The Code of Conduct contains information on our policies around consensual relationships, alcohol consumption and much more. All Hands and Hearts reserves the right to ask anyone who does not adhere to any element of our Code of Conduct, to leave the program.

CODE OF CONDUCT

ALL HANDS AND HEARTS TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Page updated

Report abuse