FAQS


How many DM12 participants will there be? We have selected 15 volunteers to participate in the DM12 initiative in Los Angeles, California.


Do I need any vaccinations? All volunteers and staff are required to have a COVID-19 vaccination to join our program in Los Angeles. If you don’t have the vaccine yet we will arrange this for when you arrive. For all other medical inquiries, we recommend you consult a medical professional before joining this program. Tetanus vaccinations are highly recommended.


What if I have already had the COVID-19 Vaccination? If you have already been vaccinated prior to your arrival to the program you will need to:

  • Provide a negative molecular-biological COVID-19 test (PCR) or Antigen Test within seven days prior to travel.

  • Provide proof of vaccination with CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card. This should contain your full name, date of birth, Vaccine type, and date or dates of vaccination.


Can I leave the program early? We have planned the DM12 program with the intention for all participants to remain on the program for the entire duration. However, if an unexpected circumstance arises we will do all that we can to support you if you need to return home.


Will there be time to rest? The workweek will run from Tuesday-Friday, and everyone will take Saturday and Sunday off work to rest. In addition to the weekends, the whole team will take a mandatory three-day break every 30 days to allow time for physical and mental rest.


How will I receive my $200 stipend? When you arrive on the program our Volunteer Relations Coordinator will provide you with a form so we can collect your payment details. We will pay your stipend into your account each month.


Can I leave Los Angeles during my required break? It is our priority to protect you and the community in which we serve from COVID-19 transmission through unnecessary exposure. Due to local COVID restrictions in LA County, we are not allowing volunteers/ staff to leave base during the required break. By minimizing nonessential travel we further reduce the risk of transmission to the community in Los Angeles, as well as our team of volunteers and staff.


Is COVID-19 testing mandatory? Yes. All Hands and Hearts require all volunteers to take a molecular-biological COVID-19 test (PCR test or Antigen Test) and present a negative result. The test must be taken within 7 days of your arrival to the program. Testing before travel helps mitigate some of the risks of COVID-19 and helps us protect the community we serve, our volunteers, and our staff.


Can I bring anything for the program? We have a wishlist where you can find our most needed items!


How do I confirm my spot on the program? To confirm your spot, please complete the volunteer service agreement, volunteer waiver, and travel form, and complete Sterling background check in your invitation email.


How am I getting to program? When your place is confirmed we will work with our partners Airlink to arrange your round trip flights to program. We will arrange for all volunteers to be collected from the airport and brought to our base.


What do I need to do in preparation for arrival? (temp checks, testing)

In the lead-up to your trip, check that you are symptom-free by regularly taking your temperature and monitoring for other symptoms. Please inform us if you have had COVID-19 symptoms at any point within 14-days of your planned arrival. You will also need to take a COVID-19 test(PCR or Antigen Test) within seven days before your arrival—you will be required to show the results, indicating that you have tested negative, at the base to ensure anyone arriving on our program is not infected with COVID-19.


What type of COVID-19 testing do I need to have?

All Hands and Hearts follow the expert advice of authorities such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in regard to the correct use of different types of tests. The FDA guidance can be found here. For pre-arrival testing we require you to obtain an antigen or molecular test within 7 days of your arrival, we cannot accept antibody testing for this purpose. Where possible we will prioritize the use of molecular-biological COVID-19 test (PCR test or Antigen Test), in line with guidance.


Find more general FAQs on our website, along with our COVID-19 FAQ's.