Welcome!
Thank you for your interest in the Life's Kitchen program. Your offer is greatly appreciated. As a
volunteer you may have supervised or unsupervised accesses to students. As you can imagine,
the safety of our students, staff and volunteers is our first priority. In order to ensure that
everyone has a pleasant, and safe, experience we ask you to answer the volunteer application
honestly.
Supervised Student Contact Partial Background Check
1. Direct supervision by staff
2. Individual works directly with student while under the direction of a Life’s Kitchen
employee in common areas in or around the campus, during operating hours.
Unsupervised Student Contact Requires Fingerprint
1. No direct staff supervision
2. Individual works directly with students on a continuing basis that occurs off the campus
and/or outside normal operating hours.
Irregular Contact No Fingerprint Required
1. Contact that is not on a daily or weekly basis or has a regular scheduled interaction with
students.
Prior to beginning your volunteer services, you will need to complete the attached Volunteer
Interest Application which identifies Life’s Kitchen policies for which you will need to be aware.
Please return these forms to the Student Advisor for consideration. Life’s Kitchen will retain the
completed forms.
Again, thank you for volunteering your services to the students and staff of Life’s Kitchen. If you
have any questions, please contact the Student Advisor.
Life’s Kitchen
1025 S. Capitol Blvd.
Boise, ID 83706
208-331-0199 Phone
208-331-0181 Fax
info@lifeskitchen.org
Chapter 1: Volunteer Program
Our Mission Statement
Life's Kitchen is dedicated to transforming the lives of at-risk young adults by building selfsufficiency and independent living through comprehensive food service and life skills training
and placement in the food service industry.
Volunteers always needed
We always need volunteers to help us with special events, educational components and
professional responsibilities. Just a small amount of your time can make such a difference in the
lives of our students. Call today to get involved with Life's Kitchen! 331-0199.
We need your support
As you can imagine, supporting the ongoing efforts of Life's Kitchen takes time and money. In
order for Life’s Kitchen to provide critical services to at-risk youth we rely heavily on donations
from the community. For example, by donating about 3 hours/4 times a year to a youth as a
mock interviewer you are preparing them for the interview process.
Ways to Volunteer
 Provide interviews
 Volunteer in our Lunch Café
 Provide office support or professional services
 Teach a Guest Chef class or series
 Host a job shadow site
 Countless other ways!
How to become a Volunteer
Contact:
Jaime Hansen
Student Advisor
Jaime@lifeskitchen.org
(208) 331-0199
With your help we can assist many young adults succeed in the workforce!
Chapter 2: Volunteer Classifications
Voluntary Staff refers to any individual or organization that, by choice and without monetary
reward, contributes time and/or service in a program area on a regular basis to assist Life’s
Kitchen in the accomplishment of its mission.
Scheduled Volunteers: Those for whom certain criteria have been established, criteria
include a volunteer application and interest form as well as an orientation with a Life’s
Kitchen staff member.
Scheduled-For-Credit Volunteers: A volunteer that receives credit for participation
from another agency to whom Life’s Kitchen is accountable for volunteer performance
and time (i.e. interns, students, etc.).
Volunteerism at-will
Every volunteer has an at-will relationship with Life’s Kitchen. Volunteers are free to resign
their position at any time, just as Life’s Kitchen is free to terminate a volunteer for any reason at
any time.
Volunteer Hours
The number of volunteers, volunteer hours and a variety of other data must be collected by Life’s
Kitchen. It is imperative that volunteers sign in and out of the volunteer check-in log located in
the Life’s Kitchen office.
Chapter 3: Hostile-Free Work Environment
Life’s Kitchen will not tolerate harassment of any volunteer, staff, student and/or interns relating
to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or differing abilities. Life’s
Kitchen will not tolerate any unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favors or any other
conduct of a sexual nature.
Harassment of any nature is a serious offense. Retaliation against any Life’s Kitchen member
who makes charges of harassment is also serious and will not be tolerated. Harassment or
retaliation will result in action, up to and including discharge.
Any volunteer member believing that they have been a victim of harassment should immediately
talk to their administrator. If the immediate administrator is unavailable the volunteer may talk to
the Executive Director.
Chapter 4: Procedures
Position Request
After need is determined within the Life’s Kitchen program a volunteer may begin working in a
position once the application and a brief orientation have been completed. Assignment to a
specific position will occur when a volunteer appears to have the skills and abilities to meet the
needs of Life’s Kitchen.
Attendance
The positions filled by volunteer staff are vital to the Life’s Kitchen program as well as to the
students. It is essential that the volunteers are punctual and regular in their attendance.
Volunteers should notify the administrator as soon as possible of any planned or unexpected
absence.
Criminal History Check
Life’s Kitchen will incur all expenses for this procedure. The result of such an inquiry is
reviewed and accepted before the commencement of service of the volunteer. Returned police
checks must show NO previous criminal record involving drug trafficking, sexual crimes, arson,
weapon charges, violent crimes or any other criminal offenses that Life’s Kitchen feels would
make for an inappropriate match with our mission.
Chapter 5: Relationships with Students
Your relationships with students will, in most cases, define your overall experience as a
volunteer. The following guidelines are to ensure that both you and the student have a successful
experience.
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Introduce yourself to the students.
Be dependable, keep your promise.
Do not take students off of Life’s Kitchen campus without prior approval.
Pass along any concerns which you feel need further attention to your supervisor.
If your gut tells you something is wrong, let a staff member know immediately!
Do NOT give or receive money, goods, or gifts without prior approval.
The safety and success of the students is Life’s Kitchen’s utmost concern. If a volunteer has any
knowledge of or becomes aware of any circumstances which may endanger the health, safety or
well-being of students, the matter must be brought to the attention of a Life’s Kitchen staff
member.
Chapter 6: General Information
Confidentiality
Information regarding students of Life’s Kitchen, paid staff and volunteers, both verbal and
written, is often privileged and confidential. Personal information is not to be released without
written consent of the individual involved.
Drug-Free Workplace
Life’s Kitchen desires to maintain a drug-free workplace. The possession, use, or distribution of
illegal drugs and/or alcohol is prohibited within our workplace. All volunteer staff is prohibited
from entering the workplace under the influence of illegal substances and/or alcohol and is
required to abide by the policy. All volunteers, staff and consultants are required to inform Life’s
Kitchen staff of policy violations.
Please keep in mind that some students of Life’s Kitchen are under 18. It is illegal for them to be
in possession of or use tobacco products.
Media Relations
Written or verbal statements for publications regarding Life’s Kitchen shall be released only by
paid staff. Incoming media calls or visits should be automatically transferred to the Executive
Director.
Personal Belongings
Life’s Kitchen cannot be responsible for the loss of personal funds or belongings, nor is it
covered by insurance for such a loss. Therefore, it is the responsibility of each volunteer to
adequately safeguard personal belongings.
Life’s Kitchen Volunteer Application
NAME:
DATE:
ADDRESS:
CITY:
EMPLOYER:
_ STATE:
ZIP: _________
POSITION:
WORK PHONE:
HOME PHONE:
EMAIL __________________________________________________________
Education Completed: Diploma/GED  Associates  Bachelors  Graduate 
Degree/Major:
__________________________________________
Why you are interested in volunteering at Life’s Kitchen?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Please indicate specific times your schedule best permits:
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Weekend/Special
Events
Availability
Areas of Interest: Please check the most interesting areas for you and we will do our best to
accommodate your requests, based on availability.
 Life Skills Contribution
 Tutoring
 Job Shadow Site
 Board/Committee Member
 Fundraising opportunities
 Café Service
 MOC Interviewer
 Guest Chef
 Special Events
 Other: __________________________
References (excluding family):
Full Name
Daytime Phone
Relationship
1.
2.
3.
What other languages, other than English, are you able to speak? _________________________
Would you be comfortable working with individual students? ___________________________
Is this request to volunteer motivated by a requirement for college coursework/department?
 No
 Yes
If yes, please complete the following: Major: ______________________ Year: _____________
Do you have any special needs that would assist or hinder your performance as a volunteer?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
It is the policy of Life’s Kitchen to make every reasonable effort to provide a safe learning
environment for students working with volunteers. Therefore, Life’s Kitchen requires the
following confidential information from volunteers who work directly with the students or assist
staff on a regular basis or act as a primary authority figure. This statement must be completed
and returned to begin a volunteer position.
Have you ever plead guilty or “no contest”, received a withheld judgment or been convicted of a
felony or misdemeanor under Idaho law or any other state/country law?
 No
 Yes
Have you ever been convicted of ANY sex, alcohol or drug related offense?
 No
 Yes
Have you ever been convicted, or had an administrative finds, of violating any law involving
child abuse, sexual abuse, physical abuse, sexual harassment or exploitation, or any other crime
related to children?
 No
 Yes
Have you ever been the subject of or listed as the perpetrator in a founded child abuse report?
 No
 Yes
Are you required to register as a sex offender with the Sex Offender Registry?
 No
 Yes
Do you currently have charges pending or are there any ongoing investigations relating to any of
the aforementioned?
 No
 Yes
A “Yes” answer to any of the questions listed above requires an interview.
Please know Life’s Kitchen may review the Department of Law Enforcement Sex Offender
Registry of Idaho and/or ask for a background check at any time.
I understand that any misrepresentation or material omission made by me on this application will
be sufficient cause for cancellation of this application or immediate termination of my volunteer
assignment, whenever it may be discovered.
Signature:
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Date:
______
Volunteer Agreement
I will read and sign the volunteer handbook and abide by the rules and expectations set
forth in the handbook.
Discipline problems with students must be handled by the Student Advisor and/or the
Executive Director. Any and all problems, regardless of severity, must be reported to the
Student Advisor before the day’s end.
Inappropriate language or physical contact is unacceptable and will result in immediate
dismissal.
No activities can be conducted outside of Life’s Kitchen without the consent of a staff
member (e.g., transporting members, overnight trips, field trips, etc.).
I agree to remain within the scope of the job description and/or assigned duties.
I grant permission to Life’s Kitchen to conduct a criminal background check.
Applicant’s Full Name: __________________________________ DOB: ____________
Please print first, middle and last name
Applicant Signature:
Date:
Please return this form to:
Life’s Kitchen
Attn: Volunteer Services
1025 S. Capitol Blvd.
Boise, ID 83706
(208) 331-0181 Fax
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