Little Pink Houses of Hope

• Serve the whole week – If you cannot stay for the entire week, please do not apply to be a retreat week VolunSTAR.  Although it may be more convenient for you to serve a partial week, we have found that the continuity of VolunSTARS for the entire week is a necessity for our families.
• Serve with Purpose- We are here to serve the families with passion and diligence; this should not be considered a “staycation.” You will experience some of the best of each location, but you will likely go home with a full heart and tired body.
• Serve as a Team – You will be part of a team of volunteers that serve together to create a wonderful experience for the families. You will depend on each other and support each other.
• Arrival and training – VolunSTARS are expected to arrive the day prior to family arrival on the Saturday of their retreat week by 2 PM. Saturday night will consist of training, team building, and getting ready for our families to arrive on Sunday. (If a retreat does not start on a Sunday, you will arrive the day prior and this will be communicated to you prior to your travel arrangements)
• Departure – VolunSTARS can leave after checking out the families and all final tasks are completed on the following Saturday. (Usually by 11am – noon at the latest)

• The morning will consist of fun family activities (beach games, stand up paddle boarding, arts and crafts, biking, etc.) in which you will participate on some level and help create an enthusiastic environment for families.
• Between lunch and dinner, preparations are made for the evening activities or meals, and may also include some down time.
• Most evenings we host different family activities (movies, game night, Adult night out, bonfires, etc.) for participants, which you will help facilitate.
• Each day begins and ends with retreat staff meetings

• Application – Complete the application which includes permission for a background check and includes 2 references and phone interview
• Online training
• Phone call with Retreat Leaders from your assigned location
• Suggested donation to cover housing, meals, and activities ($300 the first year, $100 subsequent years)

• New VolunSTARS are asked to raise or donate $300 towards the retreat, due within one month of assignment to secure the position. This ensures the commitment of volunteer to attend, proper staffing of the retreat, and offsets the cost of housing, meals, t-shirts, trainings, materials, etc. Please contact our office if you need guidance in attaining the necessary funds.
• Returning retreat week VolunSTARS are expected to raise or donate $100 towards the retreat.
• All meals, t-shirts, activities, and programs will be included in your donation fee, with exception to certain costly activities on certain retreats.
• LPHOH secures housing for all VolunSTARS. Typically, all volunstars will stay in a designated volunteer house.  Volunstar sleeping accommodations can range from beds to air mattresses.  You will not share a bed with someone you do not know.

It is incredibly important to balance getting to know the participant families to better serve their needs and giving them space for meaningful family time. All VolunSTARS are assigned a family to check in with daily and hold responsibility for reporting any issues, needs, or concerns back to the staff. Each VolunSTAR will work together as a team to create a memorable experience for participant families.   You will always know what is expected during the week by your Retreat Leader.

The great news is that people with cancer are just like you and me- people who need love and support. Training is provided to help VolunSTARS with coping mechanisms, communication strategies, and how to support participants. If you have a heart to serve, your heart will open wide by helping breast cancer families learn to live stronger, laugh harder, and love deeper.