Mercy House Global | Volunteer Handbook

Welcome to Mercy House Global. We are so glad you’re here! We often say that volunteers are the lifeblood of this nonprofit, and we couldn’t accomplish all that needs to be done without you.

We want your time serving with us to be fulfilling, so please don’t hesitate to ask questions. There’s a lot going on here, and we know it’s not always obvious how things work, so please ask.

MHG Warehouse + Offices

32722TaminaRd Magnolia,TX77354

Tomball Store 418WMainSt Tomball,TX77375

Tues - Fri: 10-4 Saturday: 9-4

Church Project Store 602PruittRd TheWoodlands,TX77380

RetailOnly Sundays after 10am service

Contact Info

volunteer@mercyhouseglobal.org 832-652-3762

Volunteer Hours

OnlyatthewarehouseinMagnolia,TX Mon -Fri 9:30-12:30

THE MERCY HOUSE GLOBAL STORY

Terrell and Kristen, founded Mercy House Global after Kristen took a trip to Kenya in 2010 with Compassion International to write about their relief efforts in the slums of Nairobi. Just days after returning home from the life-changing trip, Kristen read a heartbreaking article by CNN about the tragic choices vulnerable families were making to survive and she wanted to respond.

While in Kenya with Compassion International, Kristen met Maureen Kaderi, a leadership graduate and former sponsored child Four months later, they partnered and began Mercy House Global in the USA and Rehema Rescue Center in Kenya to provide homes for pregnant girls in crisis. Kristen’s book: Rhinestone Jesus: Saying Yes to God When Sparkly Safe Faith is No Longer Enough, chronicles that journey.

To date, it’s nearly impossible to gauge the phenomenal impact the global partnership has created: more than 70 teen moms have safely welcomed their babies at Rehema House, and multiple artisan groups are employed full time in Kenya through Mercy House Global’s monthly subscription clubs and retail stores. Mercy House Global exists to create dignified jobs in order to empower vulnerable families around the world.

MERCY HOUSE MISSION

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is this a Christian organization?

Yes, we love Jesus at Mercy House. This entire ministry is an act of obedience and worship to God and we try to honor Him in everything we do. Please see our statement of faith on the next page.

What kind of things will we be doing while volunteering?

Mostly, we will be prepping our subscription clubs by tagging, prepping items as well as the individual boxes. Mercy House Global facilitates monthly subscriptions club for more than 3500 members each month. This not only sustains our homes in Kenya, it provides jobs for thousands of women around the globe.

Who makes all the product we tag and pack?

We work with more than 100 fair-trade artisan organizations in 30 countries.

Can I come and serve just an hour if that’s all I have?

Yes! We appreciate any time you can give us.

Can I bring my children?

Yes, this is a family environment and we love kids. We ask that you please keep them within sight at all times.

Can my children serve?

Yes, we know how challenging it is to find family-friendly serving opportunities, so we always try to have ageappropriate activities, but it depends on what our needs are at the time.

Can I shop and get a discount?

Yes! Our volunteers are our best shoppers. On days that you volunteer you can receive 10% off your entire purchase in the app, Online, as well as at our Tomball store location

Please ask the volunteer coordinator for your code.

What clubs are in Fair Trade Friday and how do I join?

Fair Trade Friday includes five clubs: The Original Box, Bracelet of the Month, Earring of the Month, Grace Flame, and The Grace Case. Visit fairtradefriday.club to find out more information.

What are other ways I can help?

• Schedule a Saturday or evening volunteer event, and bring a large group from your church to serve.

• Sponsor one of our girls.

• Being a member of our monthly subscription clubs is a great way to be involved and to get cute product while providing jobs and supporting our work in Kenya.

OUR STATEMENT OF FAITH

We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God and without mistakes as originally written. It is the complete revelation of His will for salvation and the only unfailing rule of faith and practice for the Christian life.

There is one God, Creator of all things, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and these three are co-eternal and of equal dignity and power. Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

We believe Jesus was miraculously conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of a virgin and He lived a sinless life.

Salvation is found only through faith in His substitutionary death on the cross and His bodily resurrection. By man’s disobeying God, every person incurred spiritual death, which is separation from God, and physical death as a consequence. Therefore, all people are sinners by nature and practice.

The Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins and all who believe in Him are declared righteous because of His sacrificial death and are, therefore, in right relationship with God.

The present ministry of the Holy Spirit indwelling all believers enables and empowers the life and ministry of the believer.

Upon the glorious return of Jesus Christ there will be a bodily resurrection of everyone who has lived, the everlasting blessedness of those in right relationship with God, and the everlasting punishment of those who have rejected God’s forgiveness in His Son.

MERCY HOUSE GLOBAL VOLUNTEER

POLICIES & PROCEDURES

1. Volunteer Duties

Mercy House Global has a variety of volunteer needs which change on a weekly basis and include but are not limited to the following: assistance in preparing fair trade product made by artisans around the globe for sale by unpacking, sorting, tagging, pricing, packaging and labeling. Mercy House Global also has continuous need for routine assistance with preparation, organization and inventory of product and supplies at the warehouse. Mercy House Global is able to provide age-appropriate volunteer duties, based upon the organization’s needs and when available, for children ages 6 and older.

2. Volunteer Form & Release

All volunteers must complete the attached Volunteer Acknowledgment & Release Form prior to serving at Mercy House Global. The names and ages of all children serving with you must be included on the completed form.

3. Sign-In & Instructions

Upon arrival at Mercy House Global, volunteers should sign-in. Instruction and direction for service projects will be provided by the Volunteer Coordinator or other staff member, and on occasion, from other volunteers at the direction of Mercy House Global staff.

4. Children

Children are welcome at Mercy House Global and their safety is important to us. Please keep in mind, however, that the volunteer area is a warehouse and you must supervise your children at all times. Please do not allow them to run or climb in the warehouse, play with the product or wander into the retail store unattended. We also ask that they wear shoes at all times. For children ages 6 and older, we can provide age-appropriate volunteer tasks and duties, when available, and we require that parents supervise and serve alongside of their children. Children must be at least 12 years old to assist with packing Fair Trade Friday boxes but it will be left to the discretion of the Volunteer Coordinator or other Mercy House Global staff member.

5. Food

We do not allow food in the volunteer area but do have picnic tables outside for your use to enjoy snacks or lunch. We do allow drinks as long as they are in covered containers.

6. Group Volunteer Opportunities

Mercy House Global is happy to provide volunteer opportunities for groups. Please contact the Volunteer Coordinator to discuss available opportunities including group size, abilities, dates and times. Mercy House Global requires that all groups with children under age 18 have adult supervision within the group while serving and each child have a Parental Consent Form on file.

7. Safety

If you become aware of an unsafe condition inside or outside the premises, please let a staff member know.

8. Accident or Injury

Please report any accident or injury involving a volunteer to a Mercy House Global staff member. A first-aid kit is located in the volunteer area bathroom.

9. Confidentialit

As a volunteer at Mercy House Global you may receive information which is confidential or which has not yet been made available to the public. Please honor Mercy House Global’s need to keep the shared information confidential (we will let you know if this applies).

10. Equal Opportunity

Mercy House Global provides equal volunteering opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetics or any other protected classification as established by law. Mercy House Global, however, may select volunteers with particular religious beliefs that support our mission statement.

11. Discrimination and Harassment

Mercy House Global is committed to providing volunteers an environment that is free from discrimination and unlawful harassment, including sexual harassment. Actions, words, jokes, or comments based on an individual’s sex, race, ethnicity, age, religion, or any other legally protected characteristic will not be tolerated. Volunteers who believe they have been subjected to harassment of any kind must report the incident(s) to the Volunteer Coordinator, Operations Director, CEO, or Chairman of the Board of Directors. Allegations of discrimination and harassment will be investigated and, if warranted, appropriate disciplinary action up to and including termination of volunteer or employment status will be taken.

12. Photographs & Video Consent

By serving at Mercy House Global, you agree that Mercy House Global and staff may take photographs, videos, and other images of you (and/or accompanying children), and you consent to Mercy House Global’s use of the photographs, videos, and other images taken or produced. Mercy House Global may use those items in fundraising, for marketing and promotional purposes, and in electronic media for an unlimited time period, and you (and/or accompanying children) will not be entitled to receive any compensation, payment, royalty or other remuneration from Mercy House Global.

13. Warehouse & Work Space

Mercy House Global appreciates your efforts to keep our premises clean and organized. From time to time, we may request your assistance in performing such tasks as sweeping, trash removal or light cleaning and organization. After serving, please organize your work area and throw away any trash left from you or your children in the containers provided.

14. Photographs

Mercy House Global does not allow photographs of items that have not yet been delivered to our Fair Trade Friday customers or photographs which show those items in the background. Each subscription in our Fair Trade Friday clubs is meant to be a surprise to our members and we do not want photographs shared or published until they have had the opportunity to receive their packages. Prior to taking photographs in the volunteer area, please ask a staff member if it is okay to do so. We are happy to assist you so that you do not have any Fair Trade Friday product in the photos

15. Representation of Mercy House Global

Volunteers may not act on behalf of or make statements representing the official position of Mercy House Global without express written authorization from the Founder, CEO or Board of Directors. No volunteer is authorized to sign any agreement involving contractual or financial obligations on behalf of Mercy House Global.

VOLUNTEER FORM & ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Name: Address: City: State: Zip Code: Contact Phone: Email: Church Affiliation: How Did You Hear About Us?

Names and Ages of Minor Children Serving with You: EMERGENCY INFORMATION

Contact Name: Relationship: Phone:

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

By my signature below I acknowledge that I have received a copy of the Mercy House Global Volunteer Policies and Procedures and that I have read and understood its contents. I understand that from time to time there may be revisions to the Volunteer Policies and Procedures and such revisions will communicated to volunteers. I acknowledge that this policy is neither a contract of employment or volunteering and that I, and my accompanying minor children if applicable, will receive no compensation for my/our service. I further acknowledge that either Mercy House Global or I can terminate the volunteer relationship at any time for any reason or no reason.

I further agree that Mercy House Global and its representatives may take photographs, videos, and other images of me (and/or my accompanying minor children), and I consent to Mercy House Global’s use of the photographs, videos, and other images taken or produced. I understand that Mercy House Global may use those items in fundraising, for marketing and promotional purposes, and in electronic media for an unlimited time period, and neither I, nor my accompanying minor children if applicable, will be entitled to receive any compensation, payment, royalty or other remuneration from Mercy House Global.

Name (Printed) Date Signature

WAIVER OF LIABILITY

I understand and acknowledge all of the risks and dangers associated with my participation, and my accompanying minor children’s participation if applicable, in activities and events organized or sponsored by Mercy House Global, including injuries or illness and damage or loss to property. I agree on behalf of myself (and my representatives, heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns) and my accompanying minor children (and his or her representatives, heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns) if applicable, to fully and forever, waive, release, discharge and to fully and forever hold harmless and indemnify Mercy House Global (and its officers, members, employees, agents, affiliates, successors, assigns, insurers and attorneys) from any and all liability, claims, damage, demands, losses, injuries, actions or causes of action of any nature whatsoever, known or unknown, foreseeable or unforeseeable, for any and all personal injury and/or property damages sustained by me or my accompanying minor children as a result of providing volunteer services. I acknowledge that this release and discharge of liability applies even though liability, claims, damage, losses, injuries, actions and causes of action may arise out of, or result from, negligence or carelessness, or any other fault, on the part of Mercy House Global.

Name (Printed)

Signature Date