�UUCA Winter Relief 2026 - Info/Training 12/21/25�

Your Winter Relief Organizing Team:

• Annette Taylor
• Caroline Hadley
• George Stein  
• John Fischer
• Jane Carrigan
• Karen Murphy-Keddell 
• Ken Apfel 
• Co-site Managers: Deb Boudra & Kari Alperovitz-Bichell 
• Overnight/Food Site Manager: Rob Malone 

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Agenda:

• Welcome/Intro

We still need Volunteers and Donations

Easiest: use a computer, click Winter Relief on UUCA website

Sigun-up sheet going around. Need phone numbers! Thank You!!

• Tips for interacting w/our guests - Diane Ryan LCSW
• A typical Day
• Our facility – Location and tips for use of some key stuff at UUCA
• A few rules
• Q & A
• Coffee - making for everyone
• Meal info - for those with need/interest - Rob
• (Tour and more Q & A after session if interest)

PROVIDING CARE DURING WINTER RELIEF 2026

Diane Ryan L.C.S.W.

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Needs of those in Crisis/under Chronic Stress

• Physical and Emotional Safety
• Compassion and Comfort
• Understanding
• Respect and Dignity
• Honest, Transparent Communication

non patronizing; non- judgmental

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THE ROLE OF THE HELPER in WINTER RELIEF 2025

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• Assist with creating a sense of physical and emotional safety
• Environment:
• Room set-up: lighting, quiet spaces Schedule/routines/rules (predictability and control)
• Manner of welcoming
• Attitude:
• Be friendly, kind and compassionate
• Attentive to needs, comforting
• Assist with basic needs
• Listen to those who want to share their experiences
• Non-intrusive approach
• Avoid providing advice/ guidance
• Respite environment
• Active Listening

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Engaging with People in Crisis

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• Verbal Tools:
• Welcome
• What can I get for you?
• How can I help?
• I understand
• I hear you
• I don’t know the answer to that; I will check and get back to you
• Non-Verbal Tools:
• Open body language
• Be Present- attentive, not distracted
• Eye contact- follow their lead
• Smiling
• Nodding
• Escorting
• If you misspeak:
• It is ok, just take a breath, apologize, re-state
• If you are genuine, mistakes are generally forgiven

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Situational Challenges

• Rule Breaking
• Find a private area (respect and dignity)
• Explain the rule and why it is important
• safety; good of the group; ensuring supplies last; other
• Ask for their cooperation with following the rule
• Thank them for their understanding
• If rule is broken again
• Repeat the above steps & remind them this was discussed previously
• Assess if Kari or Deb should be consulted
• Conflict among Guests
• Separate – 1 volunteer for each agitated guest
• Diffuse/De-escalate
• allow ventilation; express understanding of their concerns/frustrations; model calmness
• Make a plan for the rest of the shift- arrange for on-going space between folks if needed
• Communicate the situation to the next shift in notes/sign off

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Situational Challenges

• Expressions of Anger/Frustration
• Those under chronic stress sometimes need to discharge negative energy
• If you can see yourself as a safe receptacle/in service and not personalize it, that is helpful

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• Requesting personal items
• Not able to purchase items; in-house resources need to be used to assist others
• Let them know someone will check with Arundel House of Hope (Pam) on needed items
• Notify Kari/Deb; alert the next shift

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Tips for Success

• Remain hydrated
• Set realistic goals and priorities
• Know who to go to with questions or concerns
• Keep things in perspective; focus on the bigger picture
• Assume positive intent in other’s actions
• Take breaks
• Pause and breathe when needed
• Check in with each other
• Opening & Closing Shift Rituals
• Recognize it may be hard to end
• Use your support system
• Reflection: Perspective and Meaning; Benefit Finding
• Share your feelings and experiences with trusted people if that is helpful

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Take care of yourself – You never know when the world will need you.

– Rabbi Hillel

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10

A typical Day During Winter Relief

Facility “Tour”

• AED, stop the bleed, fire, extinguisher, first aid, lift, janitor’s closet, family bathroom, fire alarm code, panel for the family bathroom, panel, for others, light switches in Sisterhood room, light switches in the hallway

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AED,

Stop the Bleed, Fire Extinguisher

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near

UUCA front enterance

First Aid Kit in the coat area

Lift:�Across from the office�-Slow!�-Hold the button the whole time����

Janitor’s Closet and Storage Room�(down the hall, past the office)

Storage Room, with cleaning supplies

Janitor’s closet, Vacuum cleaner, etc

Outside the Geothermal room, bottom of main stairs

Family Bathroom Breakers – �(in the Geothermal Room, on the Right)

Fire alarm box

In Geothermal Room

Here is the Phone Number &�Code – if you need to call the alarm company

Family Bathroom and downstairs Janitor’s Closet

Mop and Broom, etc

Heater in Family Bathroom

Shower in Family Bathroom

More Electrical boxes: �go into the kitchenette by the back stairs

Electrical room door is next to the fridge

Electrical box and main power switch are in the back

Pesky doors and lights: Sisterhood Room

The “bad” smart switch

We are using the “old-style”�switch only

Black Lives Matter Room

Rules: Just a few important ones

AHOH has a bunch of rules, guests know them.

These are the top ones for UUCA:

1. Guests can’t be obviously drunk or high
2. Can’t have visitors
3. No smoking in the building – only in the outside smoking area
4. The only doors that should be opened are the main doors downstairs�(the exits in the bedrooms, and faith formation sanctuary should never be opened, except if we are having an evacuation\
5. No a.m. showers on weekdays (e.g. none after 4 AM). OK on the WE
6. Med rules - as Deb explained

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Downstairs Main door – smokers use!

Smoking Area –�picnic table

Questions?

• Thank You!!

Coffee

• https://drive.google.com/file/d/1X_Riz1QFeM5IygybFlz4VLegUJn5I1Ue/view?usp=sharing

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• 1:03:50 - 1:14:45 Coffee - all the ins and outs! George Jan 2025

Meal Info – Rob Malone

George’s Kitchen Tour and Talk (1/2025)

• https://drive.google.com/file/d/1X_Riz1QFeM5IygybFlz4VLegUJn5I1Ue/view?usp=sharing

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• 1:03:50 - 1:14:45 Coffee - all the ins and outs

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• 1:02:22 - 1:03:50 Kitchen and food safety book
• 1:16:03 - 1:20:28 How to use the stove and more on where stuff is

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More Q and A, Tour if interest

• Thank you!!