Available Positions
Art Group Leader
Celebration Coordinator
Cook at Residential Treatment
Gardener(s) or Horticultural Specialist(s)
Recreation and Leisure Group Assistant
Entertainer or Talent Sharer
Befriender
Writers’ Group Leader
Volunteer Application
For more information, please contact Lyn Badje Gerdis:
Touchstone Mental Health
2829 University Avenue SE
Suite 400
Minneapolis, MN 55414-3230
Phone: (612) 874-6409
Fax: (612) 874-0157
lgerdis@touchstonemh.org
Develop art projects suitable for groups and teach persons who participate in our programs:
- To express themselves and have fun through art
- To develop creative activities that add meaning to their lives
For example, you might lead a group using your creative methods in a medium of your choice, such as painting, sketching, or clay.
Requirements: We seek someone energetic, able to engage people, and comfortable working with small or large groups that include people with a wide range of artistic abilities. The person
should have an appreciation of art and the ability to encourage artistic expression. We require a 6-month commitment, for a total of 10 hours, with sessions scheduled once per month.
Work with our staff:
- To support individuals living in residential programs or independently in planning, organizing, and holding celebrations for special occasions
- To organize, plan, and host celebrations or significant events with or for staff of the agency
For example, you might:
- Plan, organize, and assist with a holiday celebration, birthday party, or open house at one of our residential programs.
- Plan, organize, and facilitate an event for the agency as a whole, such as the Annual Meeting, or for one of our programs, such as an open house.
Requirements: We seek a person with strong organizational and communication skills, who can generate enthusiasm for an event as well as plan and delegate as necessary. We require an ongoing commitment, for 5 to 20 hours per event depending on the occasion, with scheduling as needed.
Assist people living with mental illness in building community in a residential setting through the shared preparation of meals and through socializing during mealtime.
For example, you might assist residents in cooking dinner or socialize with residents during mealtime.
Requirements: We seek someone energetic, able to engage people, and comfortable working with small or large groups. The person must possess the ability to follow basic recipes and to engage residents in a positive manner.
We require an 6-month commitment, once a month minimum, for 3 hours from 3:00-6:00 p.m.
Gardener(s) or Horticultural Specialist(s)
Work with the staff of Touchstone Mental Health:
- To support individuals who live with mental illness in developing or practicing gardening skills
- To plan and develop gardens for our residential sites and for individuals’ homes as well as a community garden
For example, you might:
- Coordinate efforts to develop a community garden for a new housing project planned by Touchstone Mental Health.
- Develop and attend to a healing garden at one of our residential sites.
Requirements: We seek a person(s) with a green thumb, the physical ability to perform gardening tasks as needed, and the ability to teach and engage others in gardening tasks.
We require a 3- to 6-month commitment; that is; for the gardening season, for one weekend afternoon per month, with scheduling as needed to plan and develop the gardens and to teach gardening skills and support clients in attending to the garden(s).
Recreation and Leisure Group Assistant
Teach persons who participate in the programs of Touchstone Mental Health:
- To structure their free time by finding activities that they enjoy
- To socialize with others
- To find ways to have fun
Activities may occur in house or in the community. The assistant helps the Leisure Group leader with the transportation of clients to and from activities, engages
in the chosen activity with the leader and clients, and interacts with clients to build their leisure skills.
Activities may include:
- Trips to state, local, and county parks to canoe, grill out, and play games
- Bowling, Biking
- Visiting museums
Requirements: We seek someone energetic, able to engage people, and comfortable working with small or large groups. This person must be independent and possess a healthy lifestyle, with strong leisure skills. Broad knowledge of the community is also desirable. We require an ongoing commitment of 3 or 4 hours per month, scheduled once or twice per month.
Teach persons who participate in the programs of Touchstone Mental Health:
- The breath of engaging and rewarding activities that exist
- Possible ways to use their own talents
You can tailor this position depending on your particular talent; for example, you might:
- Teach participants about your talent; for example playing instruments of rhythm
- Allow them to engage in your talent; for example card making, beading
- Entertain them with your talent; for example, by playing your guitar for them
Requirements: We seek someone energetic, able to engage people, and comfortable working with small or large groups. The person’s talent must be appropriate to share with our clients.
We require a 6-month commitment, for a total of 10 hours, with scheduling at least once per month.
Help decrease the stigma of mental illness. Allow our clients to create meaningful relationships that embrace all aspects of their lives, with the befriender looking at the whole person and not just his or her diagnosis. Visit with clients, share hobbies and interests, go on social outings, and develop life skills, such as grocery shopping.
Requirements: We seek someone over 19 years of age who is enthusiastic, compassionate, and skilled with relationships. The person should have experience working with adults who struggle with serious and persistent mental illness and potentially with chemical dependency and substance abuse. Crisis intervention skills are helpful but not required.
We require a 6-month commitment, for four hours per month, scheduled every two weeks.
Create a supportive atmosphere that encourages participants to explore their emotions in a variety of writing styles and forms. This group provides an opportunity for participants to share their writings with others in an accepting, constructive setting, possibly with opportunities to discuss different writing styles and methods. The group will decide the organization and structure of the sessions.
Requirements: We seek someone with an appreciation of writing and reading and the ability to respond emotionally and uncritically. Actual writing practice is a plus but not necessary. This group is more about sharing than about critical, literary analysis. Some participants may wish to receive critical feedback, while others may not. The leader must respect the boundaries that each participant sets.
We require a 6-month commitment, for a total of 10 hours, with scheduling once per month.
