HEALTH SAFETY & SECURITY
Our top priority is the health, safety, and well-being of people living in the communities we serve, volunteers, and staff. On this page, you'll find information on our COVID-19 Safety Measures, our Practical Guide, Code of Conduct, information on safety both on-site and on base, physical and mental health information along with our health insurance guidelines.
We are implementing new operational standards, which include Infection Prevention and Controls, that safeguard our community and help you have a safe and healthy volunteer experience. However, we cannot guarantee that you will not become infected with COVID-19. Further, attending the All Hands and Hearts program could increase your risk of contracting COVID-19. Please review our COVID-19 Safety Measures and Practical Guide below to understand the risks involved and our approach in Los Angeles, California.
SAFETY ON SITE
Each of our partners has specific safety protocols, particularly around personal protective equipment requirements, COVID-19 guidelines, and working in hot environments, that we will go into in more detail during volunteer orientation. Close-toed shoes are required for the work sites. No other shoes or sandals are allowed on site; you will not be permitted to work if you do not have suitable footwear. First aid kits are always available at work sites, in case of an accident.
Take a look at slides 14-15 of the practical guide to learn more about COVID-19 preventative measures at the worksite.
SAFETY ON BASE
We continuously monitor security alerts and are prepared to respond if a security issue develops. We've found that establishing a positive reputation and tight relationships in the community where we operate is most effective. We place a responsibility on individual volunteers to practice awareness and good decision-making to keep themselves and their fellow volunteers safe each day.
The camp has security cameras and locked gates to help ensure the safety of those on our program. We can also lock your cabin doors during the workday.
We will have a presence on base at all times; however, we cannot assure the security of your belongings. Do not bring anything that is irreplaceable and ensure anything you do bring is covered by valid insurance.
Take a look at slides 9-10 in the practical guide to learn more about COVID-19 preventative measures at our base.
MANAGING YOUR HEALTH & WELLBEING
As you prepare to join us in the field, it's important to understand which aspects of program life may be challenging. It's also important to identify how you best practice self-care, and how you will support yourself if you find it difficult to maintain positive health & wellbeing.
PHYSICAL HEALTH
Volunteers should be in good physical health, as most of the work on this program will involve repetitive manual labour, often in a very hot climate. Volunteers will be encouraged to take regular breaks for rest and rehydration. However, if you have any physical limitations you may want to consider the impact manual labour will have over several weeks.
Living communally may cause its own set of challenges. Remember that frequent hand washing and good hygiene is the first line of defense in staying healthy and productive, and more important than ever during the pandemic!
If you suffer from an underlying health condition we strongly recommend you consult a medical professional before committing to DM12. You should consider the impact of living and working in challenging conditions for a prolonged duration of time. It's important to note, outside of emergencies, access to medical assistance may be limited while you are on the program.
For advice on vaccinations, volunteers should consult with a travel medical professional for advice based on your individual needs. In addition, please be up to date with your Tetanus vaccination.
People are often viewed as mentally 'well' or 'unwell'. However, we know that mental health is NOT a static state. Rather, it is always changing along with every other aspect of our lives.
The Mental Health Continuum offers some general indicators you can use to track your own mental health and wellness. This can be used to proactively identify when you're moving away from the green end of the continuum, and steps to take at each phase.
.
humanitarian mental health
As a volunteer serving disaster-impacted communities, you may find certain elements of the role more challenging than others, such as the long work days & communal living environment. You may also face additional challenges at this time related to COVID-19 adaptations, such as the duration of the cohort and living in 'bubbles'.
If you haven't prepared yourself, these challenges may become overwhelming. To avoid this and proactively set yourself up for success, it's important to start thinking about your mental health now and how you may cope with challenges that arise. First, let's look at a few common mental health challenges that humanitarians sometimes experience in the field.
BURNOUT
Burnout is a state of physical or emotional exhaustion that also involves a sense of reduced accomplishment and loss of personal identity. In a humanitarian role, Burnout is even more likely to occur. Check out these resources to learn more about burnout.
compassion fatigue
Also called “vicarious traumatization” or secondary traumatization. The emotional residue or strain of exposure to working with those suffering from the consequences of traumatic events. It differs from burn-out, but can co-exist. Compassion Fatigue can occur due to exposure on one case or can be due to a “cumulative” level of trauma.
SUPPORT
Ultimately, it will be your responsibility to care for your mental health & wellbeing. Your best line of defense is to proactively engage in self-care, and be attentive to the state of your mental health regardless of how healthy you feel. Remain aware of any changes you see in yourself and take the necessary action to improve your wellbeing - ideally before things become overwhelming, not when you're already overwhelmed. However, we know that unexpected challenges can still arise, and we are here to support you.
Our Volunteer Relations Coordinator will meet with you one-on-one every two weeks. This is not meant to be a counseling session but rather a confidential opportunity for you to chat with an unbiased person about things you and your bubble may be struggling with. The VRC can help you and your bubble work through any issues. Please check out this document to gain a better understanding of these conversations.
ON-CALL insurance
While on program, you will have access to On Call International, where you can access free crisis intervention and short-term counseling services. The plan includes 3 free counseling sessions (not including the first time you call).
Counselors are available 24 hours a day for immediate evaluation and crisis intervention. Simply call the number on the information sheet and let them know you are with All Hands and Hearts - you can find this information from any staff member on program.
CHAPLAIN SERVICE
The International Fellowship of Chaplains (IFOC) provides practical community support and spiritual counsel to humanitarian workers by meeting their needs, regardless of age, race, creed, color, sex, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital status or socioeconomic status. Trained and licensed Chaplains will provide counsel, education, advocacy, life improvement skills and more. Each week, you will have the opportunity to attend group check-ins with a Chaplain, who can offer emotional support to you and your team. If you prefer to speak to a Chaplain one-on-one, let a staff member know.
We've gathered a few self-care tips, tricks and tools you can use to take care of yourself on program. Check out the resources below!
Self care means knowing who you are and your limits. It means recognizing when you are doing more than you are used to and how to slow down. It means finding a way to decompress throughout your day. Self care in essence is the mindful taking of time to pay attention to you, not in a selfish way, but in a way that ensures that you are being cared for by you.
HEALTH INSURANCE
All Hands and Hearts can not provide health insurance for anyone volunteering with us in the country in which they reside. Unfortunately, this means we do not provide medical insurance if you are from the United States.. You need to have insurance that includes cover for construction work, COVID-related expenses, and general health provisions. If your insurance does not provide this cover then we will do all we can to get you any level of care, but you will remain liable for those costs.
To ensure you’re covered in the event of an emergency, we ask that you share your insurance details with your emergency contact. We also recommend you bring a copy of your insurance details with you for us to keep on file.