The BARN Volunteer Program

Volunteers are the most fundamental component of the BARN; they make the community recovery center a living, breathing example of recovery. Volunteers serve the BARN across all levels, including as daily floor staff, serving on committees or the Board of Directors, supervising each other, recovery coaching, and more. Each month, volunteers contribute over 800 to 1000 hours of their time. At any given time, the BARN Volunteer Program deploys between 45 and 60 volunteers to staff its center.

Why Volunteer?

At the BARN, we recognize that service to others is virtually a spiritual imperative. In line with research, the BARN adheres to the belief that providing meaningful volunteer opportunities is an effective way to organize the recovery community. A great benefit of volunteering at the BARN is the potential for getting a strong job reference as a steppingstone into the workforce.
It is the policy of the BARN to ensure that all prospective and current volunteers are treated in a professional, caring, and consistent manner and are provided with meaningful volunteer assignments.

Who Can Become a Volunteer?

The BARN welcomes anyone to consider becoming a volunteer. Our strongest source of volunteers is the recovering community that surrounds the BARN. We also benefit from assistance provided by students in need of internships, training programs, volunteers completing hours for state assistance programs, and volunteers from jail diversion programs.

Collaborative Opportunities

The BARN Volunteer Program works with several partners in order to provide reliable volunteer and community service opportunities, including:

• A4TD (Associates for Training and Development)
• FedCAP
• Adult and Family Drug Court
• Adult Probation and Parole
• Eastern Maine Development Corporation and Workforce Innovations and Opportunity Act
• University of Maine, Husson University and Beal College

Volunteer Forms

• BARN Policies and Procedures Updated 11-5-18
• Volunteer Application
• Volunteer One Pager

Volunteer Opportunities

Front Desk/Greeter Volunteer: Front desk volunteers keep the BARN running smoothly by keeping it clean, responding to patrons’ needs, and upholding the mission of the BARN. Front desk volunteers also provide peer support to anyone who enters the BARN in need, whether they are a long-time patron or visiting for the first time.

Garden Volunteer: During the growing season, the BARN has an outdoor garden that requires frequent attention and care. A minimum of two dedicated gardeners will be responsible for upkeep and planting.

Special Events Volunteer: The BARN frequently holds special events like dances, holiday parties, fundraisers, and community outreach activities which require extra hands for set up, break down, and help throughout the duration of the event. Volunteering for special events is a great way to get involved with the BARN even if you cannot make a long-term or regular commitment.

Walk-in Volunteer: Anyone who would like to contribute to the BARN for a few hours but cannot commit to a scheduled or regular shift is welcome to present themselves as a walk-in volunteer.

Committee Volunteers: Responsibilities will vary by committee and the projects it is working on. Some of the BARN committees include marketing/development, the Bangor Area Recovery Community Coalition (BARCC), Finance, and the operations committee.