Volunteer Application

Mission Statement

To serve women and save babies by providing health, educational, and supportive programs while demonstrating the unconditional love of Jesus Christ.

Vision Statement

To be a beacon of hope for every woman facing an unexpected pregnancy, empowering them with compassionate care, resources, and support to make informed, life-affirming decisions. We will expand our services to meet the changing needs of women, ensuring that every woman has the opportunity to thrive with the guidance and care she deserves.

Values Statement

1. We believe that every human life is valuable, every individual person has the right to live and to be honored in their individuality, and to have their basic needs met.
2. We do not perform, promote, or refer for abortion services. We are committed to strengthening individuals, families and communities so that every human life will be welcomed and honored.
3. In recognizing the sacredness of human sexuality, we are committed to preserving the integrity of individuals and couples. We promote only natural family planning for married persons.
4. For single people, we promote and educate on fertility awareness, self-control, and the value of chastity and abstinence.
5. All services, material or in the form of counsel and support, are available to clients and patients free of charge. All services are confidential, except in cases where there is a threat of harm to self or others.

Statement of Faith

We believe in God, the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
We believe in the Holy Ghost,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

We believe in the sanctity of human life. All human life is sacred and created by God. From conception, all humans have everlasting souls that will exist forever. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life, and to make special efforts to protect the most vulnerable among us in all stages of life. We believe it is sin to recommend, support or participate in in any way the giving of contraceptive medications that may harm an embryo, abortifacient medications or procedures, or prescribed end of life measures prior to natural death.

We believe God created males and females in His image and gave them the sacred gift of marriage, a covenant sanctioned by God to join one biologically born man and one biologically born woman in a single, exclusive, holy, one-flesh union. We believe the Church is charged with upholding and protecting God’s original design for marriage as it portrays Jesus’ relationship with His bride, the Church. We believe that God created sex to be between a husband and wife. We believe all forms of sexual immorality such as gender reassignment, sex reassignment, adultery, fornication, homosexual and bisexual sexual relationships, bestiality, incest, and pornography are sinful as they oppose God’s perfect design for His image bearers.

Policies and Values

1. Life begins at conception.
2. Every human life is valuable, regardless of its form or condition. To each individual belongs the right to live, to be honored in their individuality, and to have their basic needs met. We are advocates for the unborn, their parents, and their family.
3. We do not perform, promote, or refer for abortion services. We are committed to strengthening individuals, families, and communities so that every human life will be welcomed and honored.
4. In recognizing the sacredness of human sexuality, we are committed to preserving the integrity of individuals and couples. We teach only natural, non‐chemical, non‐surgical methods of family planning for married couples. We do not advocate any form of sterilization.
5. For single individuals, we teach fertility awareness, promote abstinence, and encourage self‐control and self‐respect.
6. All services provided, whether material or in the form of counsel and support, are available to clients and patients free‐of‐charge. All services are confidential, except in cases where there is threat of harm to self or others, and statutory requirements for reporting abuse or neglect of a minor.
7. Clients are treated with compassion, sensitivity, and respect.

Volunteer Code of Conduct

As a volunteer, I promise to follow the rules and guidelines in this Volunteer Code of Conduct as a condition of my providing services for Options for Women St. Croix Valley.

During the time(s) when I am directly serving in my role as a volunteer for Options for Women St. Croix Valley,

I will:

1. Treat everyone I serve with respect, loyalty, patience, integrity, courtesy, dignity, and consideration.
2. Use positive reinforcement rather than criticism, competition, or comparison when working with patients/clients or their children.
3. Maintain confidentiality in all matters.
4. Comply with the mandatory reporting regulations of the State of Minnesota to report suspected child abuse. I understand that failure to report suspected child abuse to civil authorities is against the law. Any suspected abuse should be reported to the Options for Women St. Croix Valley executive director, and he or she will contact the appropriate authorities on my behalf. I will cooperate fully in any investigation of abuse of children, youth, or vulnerable adults.

I will not:

1. Touch or speak to any child, youth, or vulnerable adult in an inappropriate manner.
2. Strike, spank, shake, or slap anyone I encounter.
3. Humiliate, ridicule, threaten, or degrade anyone I encounter.
4. Accept gifts from or give gifts to children, youth, or vulnerable adults without knowledge of their parents or guardians.
5. Smoke or use tobacco products while engaging in volunteer activities with children, youth, or vulnerable adults.
6. Use, possess, or be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.
7. Use profanity in the presence of children, youth, or vulnerable adults.

I understand that as a volunteer I may be subject to a thorough background check including criminal history. My signature confirms that I have read this Volunteer Code of Conduct and that while directly serving as a volunteer I agree to follow the above standards. I understand that any action inconsistent with this Code of Conduct or failure to take action mandated by this Code of Conduct may result in my removal as a volunteer.

Confidentiality Policy

Commitment to confidentiality is highly valuable and is promised to patients/clients in our advertising literature and verbal exchanges. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the center staff and all volunteers to honor that commitment to our patients/clients.

1. Discussion of specific patient/client situations or interactions should be treated with the knowledge and approval of the director. utmost confidence and limited to those who are directly involved in the patient/client’s care.
2. Communication of detailed information will be limited to the director and/or others within Options for Women St. Croix Valley staff who are directly involved with patient/client services.
3. It may be appropriate on occasion to review generalized patient/client‐based interactions between clinic staff and volunteers, but care must be taken to ensure these reviews are for the purpose of mutual learning and edification. In these situations, names and identifying details must be excluded unless the patient/client has given permission otherwise.
4. Information concerning patients/clients should never be revealed to persons outside of Options for Women St. Croix Valley other than in general, non‐identifying terms. An exception to this policy would be cases of imminent danger to self or others or child‐ protection concerns, which must be directed to law enforcement or the appropriate authority.
5. If it is advantageous to share specific information with other agencies in the interest of better service provision, it must be with the patient/client’s expressed permission, in writing and in the form of a release. Even then, it is advisable not to share extensive information unless it is deemed necessary in carrying out essential services for the client.
6. There are circumstances where concern for the safety and welfare of individuals may override the standard of confidentiality. Such a decision should never be made without the knowledge and approval of the director.

I agree to uphold the terms of the policy both while I am working in the capacity of staff or volunteer at Options for Women St. Croix Valley, as well as outside of this role in all that pertains to my work at Options for Women St. Croix Valley.