333 Lee Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Phone: (225) 215-4510
Fax: (225) 215-4515
Toll-Free: 1-800-460-7007

Volunteer Opportunities

The St. James Place Volunteer

At St. James Place, our motto is "Live Life Well." That motto guides everything we do. Our daily objective is to ensure that everyone who lives here truly lives life well. This means that it is our job (and yours as a volunteer) to achieve and maintain the highest possible quality of life and health services in a professional, compassionate way. Our volunteer program is one of the many ways our residents live life well.

A volunteer at St. James Place can select from a wide variety of activities in which to participate. Volunteers visit with residents in their apartments and sometimes read to vision-impaired residents. When the weather is good, volunteers join our strolling club and escort residents on an outing around our beautiful campus. Volunteers help with bingo, participate in dances, and help fold and deliver our campus newsletter, Oakleaves.

To be a St. James Place volunteer, you need only to attend our orientation any Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. Volunteer orientation is held every Wednesday (except major holidays) in classroom 1 of our Health and Wellness Center, 333 Lee Drive. When you stop at our gatehouse, a staff member will direct you. Volunteer orientation lasts approximately one hour.

As a St. James Place volunteer, you have an excellent opportunity to make a difference in another person's life. Whether you come once for school service hours, or on a regular basis as a community volunteer, your time here matters!

Requirements of Volunteers:

• Confidentiality:  All volunteers should realize the importance of observing confidentiality concerning the residents. There should be no discussion of any resident or any aspect of a resident's life with anyone outside of St. James Place.
• Health: Good. If there is a physical problem, it will be at the discretion of the volunteer coordinator whether or not to allow the individual to participate in the volunteer program.
• Transportation: The volunteer must be able to arrange for his/her own transportation.
• Training: All volunteers must complete the St. James Place Volunteer Orientation.
• Dress: Volunteers do not wear a uniform, but must wear their nametags and clothing suitable for their assignments.
• Identification: An identification badge will be issued to each volunteer and must be worn anytime the volunteer is on campus.
• Alcohol/Drugs: No volunteer may visit a resident if the volunteer is under the influence of alcohol or non-prescription drugs.

Qualifications:

Must be able to relate emotionally and responsibly to residents, and St. James Place employees. Teamwork is essential, as is patience and good listening skills. Must be open-minded to diverse cultural and religious values and lifestyles. Must be at least age 15 to engage in volunteer activities without an adult supervisor.