Vereinigung Junger Freiwilliger

VFP MTV01-11
BURLINGTON DISMAS HOUSE
Burlington, Vermont

Work dates: We ask for a minimum commitment of 10 weeks but volunteers can stay as long as 6 months.
Anytime of the year! http://www.newnorthend.net/

Number of Volunteers: We have room to host one volunteer at a time.
Staff Assistant Position: will be working as a Resident Assistant and with Office Manager/Directors on all
of the day to day operations of a small non-profit organization. Tasks include: clerical work; student
recruiting activities; fund raising activities; general administrative duties; as well as working one on one
with residents and participating in group activities. The average work day might consist of approximately 2-
4 hours of office work as well as some Resident Assistant responsibilities in the evening.
Accommodations & Location: Welcome to Burlington Dismas House. We are a transitional housing
organization that works with men and women coming out of prison. Volunteers will live together with
former prisoners in a lovely Victorian House located in Burlington, Vermont. Burlington is a beautiful small
New England College town, population 40,000. The small city is located right on the shore of the
picturesque and historical Lake Champlain. We are in close walking distance to the Historic “Church
Street” area where there are shops and activities. There is always something going on in Burlington! Street
Fairs, jazz festivals, parades, theater, and many other special events. There is a bike path that goes along
the waterfront where you can run, bike, roller blade or just take a quiet walk. We are less than an hour
from the Canadian border, 1.5 hrs. from Montreal, Canada; 3 hours from Boston; 6 hours from New York
City.

Language Requirements: Volunteers should speak English.
What to Bring: Average temperatures range from 10F/-12C in winter, to 80F/27C in summer.
Comfortable clothing appropriate to the climate including hiking boots/work boots, sneakers/trainers, rain
gear, work and recreational clothes, Swimsuit and towel, sunscreen, insect repellant, camera and any
personal items needed. We encourage volunteers to bring any cultural information that they can to share
with us so that we can learn about their country. They are encouraged to bring a musical instrument or
sports items if they have space. Volunteers are encouraged to bring laptop computer if regular computer
access is a must for personal use. Internet access at the house is limited, however free internet access is
available at the public library around the corner from Dismas House.
What is Provided: All meals, shared bedrooms, kitchen, bathrooms, hot showers, linens & towels an some
group activities and sightseeing. We are sometimes able to take Volunteers to Montreal or Boston and will
give volunteers ample time off to travel on their own. Previous volunteers have been to Montreal, Boston,
New York, to rodeos and climbed mountains as well as toured Vermont’s famous Ben & Jerry’s!
Travel: Depending on departure point, volunteers can fly directly to Burlington, Vermont or to New York
City and then fly to Burlington. Alternatively volunteers can fly to Montreal (Canada), from where it is less
than a two-hour bus ride direct to Burlington, using www.greyhound.com. Volunteers will be met at
Burlington airport, by prior arrangement.
Miscellaneous:
Insurance: Volunteers are reminded that Dismas House is a shared living environment therefore it is
recommended not to bring valuable items, unless absolutely necessary. Volunteers should ensure that they
carry full insurance to cover both themselves (medical) and their possessions, as this is not provided.
Dismas House operates a “dry house” policy. This means that no recreational drugs or alcohol is tolerated
in the house or premises.

HELPFUL WEBSITES:
Greyhound Bus: www.greyhound.com - provides bus services throughout the United States and
Canada. Discounts are available for students, and tickets are cheaper if purchased at least 7 days in
advance. Tickets can be booked online.
Amtrak Train: www.amtrak.com - train services within the US and Canada. Students can save 15%
on tickets if they have an International Student Identity Card (ISIC). Reservations can be made online.
Hosteling International - American Youth Hostels: www.hiayh.org - The largest network of hostels in
the United States. Guests may become a member for a fee of $28 USD.
Virtual Tourist: www.virtualtourist.com - An informative site with information about locations worldwide,
written by independent travelers. A good source of information about places to visit, places to avoid,
and what to expect of the local culture.

VFP MTV02-11
DISMAS HOUSE - RUTLAND, VERMONT
01 JANUARY – 31 DECEMBER 2011
Three Month Minimum - 1 Volunteer at a time
Rutland Dismas House provides transitional drug, alcohol & violence free housing for men and
women getting out of prison, focusing on reintegration back into society and successful reconciliation
with the community before moving on to independent living. We are able to accommodate 11
residents at a time and request a minimum 90 day commitment from those leaving prison.
Work: Volunteers will be working with the Co-Directors on all of the day-to-day operations of a small
non-profit organization, as well as living with and sharing life experiences with the former prisoner
residents. Tasks include: A good deal of computer & office work, participation in various
components of fundraising activities, student recruitment, representing Dismas at speaking
engagements on college campuses and at civic organizations, working with clothing and food
donations, and participating in house group activities. The average daily work commitment expected
is 4-5 hours per day Monday through Friday; however the hours are varied and non-traditional, and
may include some weekends and evenings or days of longer, shorter, or, at times, no hours. As an
equal to the former prisoner residents who come to live at Dismas House, volunteers will learn firsthand
about the challenges and struggles faced by former prisoners working toward reintegration into
society. In addition to informal interactions with residents, projects might include organizing resident
outings and/or helping residents develop healthy, drug and alcohol free hobbies and interests.
Accomodations: Modestly furnished shared bedrooms & bathrooms in a large Victorian house;
sheets, towels, all meals, laundry facilities, local telephone service and cable television provided.
Volunteers will provide their own personal care items (i.e. toiletries, laundry detergent). There is no
internet access at the house other than in the office, which is open during weekday working hours.
Internet access is available at the local library. As a resident of the house, volunteers will live as an
equal to and with the same expectations as the former prisoner residents: Absolutely NO alcohol or
drug use permitted during the stay; presence at the evening meal Monday through Friday at 6:00
p.m. is required, as is presence at the weekly house meeting one evening during the week; an
assigned dish night and an assigned chore; no smoking inside the house (although smoking is
permitted outside on a covered porch); no intimate relationships between residents permitted.
Language requirements: Volunteers must be able to speak and understand a better than basic
level of English.
Location: Rutland is a beautiful small city in the Green Mountains near mountains, lakes and
streams, population 17,500. Group activities and sight seeing are offered. Snow
skiing/snowboarding, hiking, camping and biking near and around area lakes and streams are
recreational opportunities. Shopping is within walking distance and local bus service is available at a
nominal charge.
Terminal: AIR: Burlington, Vermont; Albany, New York; Boston, Massachusetts or Manchester,
New Hampshire. BUS: White River Junction, Vermont. TRAIN: Rutland, Vermont.
Special requirements: Volunteers must have basic computer skills in Microsoft Word and Excel.
Absolutely no alcohol or drug use permitted during the stay. VFP MOTIVATION FORM
REQUIRED. A 90-day/3 month commitment is required, but volunteers are welcome to stay for up to
6 months.
HELPFUL WEBSITES:
Greyhound Bus: www.greyhound.com - provides bus services throughout the United States and
Canada. Discounts are available for students, and tickets are cheaper if purchased at least 7 days
in advance. Tickets can be booked online.
Amtrak Train: www.amtrak.com - train services within the US and Canada. Students can save
15% on tickets if they have an International Student Identity Card (ISIC). Reservations can be
made online.
Hosteling International - American Youth Hostels: www.hiayh.org - The largest network of
hostels in the United States. Guests may become a member for a fee of $28 USD.
Virtual Tourist: www.virtualtourist.com - An informative site with information about locations
worldwide, written by independent travelers. A good source of information about places to visit,
places to avoid, and what to expect of the local culture.