The Mission at Kern County serves disadvantaged people in the Bakersfield, Kern County area. We are a Christ-centered homeless intervention and dependency recovery program. Our primary goal is to restore our guests to healthy relationships with God, their families, and society. We do this through crisis intervention and Biblical counseling, with the strategic support of concerned churches, organizations, individuals and businesses. We are grateful you have a desire to serve at The Mission at Kern County. In order to make things as fruitful and trouble-free as possible, we have developed the following guidelines.
Be Consistent. You are part of the "Mission " The position you fill is vitally important to the overall operation of the Mission. Your Faithful commitment means we can count on you to accomplish the specific tasks we set aside for you. Please call if you are unable to show up or going to be late.
Contribute to the overall mission of the Mission. We are here to provide Hope and Restoration through the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Use Wisdom. We want our volunteers to feel free to get to know the people here and take the opportunity to strike up conversations with the However, we ask our volunteers to use caution, as there are many people who are persuasive in their ability and use people to get whatever they want. Here are a few specifics:
Do not give rides to anyone without obtaining clearance from the program director, (Steve Peterson).
Do not give or lend money to the Guest or Residents
Do not trade, sell or buy anything from the Guests or residents
Do not take Guests or Residents (those who have not graduated) of the Mission Recovery program to your home.
Do obtain clearance from the Program director before inviting a guest or Resident to any outside functions.
Do report any inappropriate behavior or anything that makes you feel uncomfortable while volunteering
Do not give out any information about our We are considered a sanctuary," therefore, covered by confidentiality laws.
Do not to exchange personal information with the clients/guests of the Mission (i.e. phone number, mailing addresses, e-mail addresses or any contact information.) it is also agreed that volunteers will not give gifts of any kind to clients/ guests including money, clothing, personal care products, or any other items.
It is also agreed that volunteers will not receive any goods for the services they provide. It shall also be understood that volunteers are not to take any items (food, clothing, household items, etc.) from the Mission without the written authorization from the director/ manager of the department in which they are volunteering.
*We ask that volunteers do not bring children under the age of 10 (unless pre-authorized by the volunteer coordinator). If a volunteer is under the age of 17, he/ she must be accompanied by an adult.
Dress comfortable, clothes that you don't mind getting dirty; close toed shoes. At-shirt, jeans and sneakers would be ideal to be a successful volunteer! If you have any questions regarding these or any other guidelines, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator, at (661) 325-0863. Thank you again for your desire to serve!
I understand that The Mission's staff and volunteers are responsible for protecting the privacy of the Mission clientele. No information about Mission clients is to be given verbally or in writing to agencies or people outside the Mission and no pictures are to be taken of clientele or guests without a signed release from the Mission and client/ guest involved.
I acknowledge that TMKC is an organization assisting vulnerable men, women and children. I hereby confirm that I have never been indicted or convicted of a violent crime, child abuse or neglect, child pornography, child abduction, kidnapping, rape or sexual offense, nor have I ever been ordered by a court to receive psychiatric or psychological treatment in connection herewith.
I understand that my activities as a volunteer may include potential hazards and risk of physical harm. I am voluntarily participating in this service with the knowledge of the potential hazards involved and hereby agree to accept any and all risks of injury without any recourse to or against TMKC.
I hereby release TMKC, its directors, officers, partners, agents, employees, successors, assignees, licensees, sponsors,
donors, representatives, guests and affiliates from all actions, claims, suits or demands that I, my assignees, heirs, guardians and legal representatives now have or may hereafter have arising out of, based upon or relating to my participation as a volunteer.
I have carefully read this agreement, and the Volunteer General Information and Policies referenced herein, and fully understand their contents. I am aware that this is a release of liability and I sign it of my own free will.
If Mission policy is violated, you will be asked to discontinue your volunteer service.
I acknowledge that I have been informed and am aware of the provisions of California Civil Code§ 1542, which reads as follows:
"A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS SETTLE MENT WITH THE DEBTOR."
I expressly waive and relinquish all rights and benefits which I have or may have had under said section, and any similar provision of state or federal law. I further understand and acknowledge the significance and consequences of a specific waiver of Section 1542, and any similar provision of state or federal law, and hereby assume full responsibility for any damages or losses sustained by me of any sort or nature that might otherwise have been or are assessable as claims arising directly or indirectly out of, or relating to, this agreement, and any other aspect of my volunteer activities.
As a non-profit agency, the Mission at Kern County does not provide liability insurance for volunteers.
I have read the above statement and am in agreement and understand that these policies are in place for the safety of the volunteers, clients and guests of the Mission at Kern County.
*For volunteers under 18, a parent or /ego/ guardian's signature is required below.
This is to certify that I, as parent/legal guardian with legal responsibility of the volunteer whose name appears above, do consent and agree to his/her release as provided above, and for myself, my assignees, heirs, guardians and legal representatives, release The Mission at Kern County for any and all claims now have or may hereafter arising out of, based upon or relating to my minor child's participation as a volunteer.
