• While Harvest Street Mission is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is insured, volunteers are NOT covered under that insurance and therein participation is at your own risk.

• We serve outdoors on sidewalks (rain or shine), and there in no security or police present. We appreciate women and men serving together! There is safety in numbers and like to have a large number of volunteers on site. Male presence is greatly appreciated.

• While you would certainly not be required to do so, we recommend you leave valuables (jewelry) and any special or expensive clothing at home.

• If you are a woman, when choosing what to wear, be conscious that we are serving mostly men and potentially there could be sexual predators in the general area.

• Please do not leave your wallet or purse on your car seat while you serve and be sure to lock your car doors.

We want to create a community where children and families are welcome to serve and learn. If you choose to bring children with you to the serving site, you should exercise caution in doing so.

• You must ensure they are under your immediate and close supervision at all times.

• They should never be left alone or go alone with a stranger.

• Situations can easily and quickly escalate or get out of control, and occasionally there are incidents among the individuals we provide for.

• Be aware at all times for your own and your family’s safety.

If you have concerns about bringing your children, we suggest coming alone to volunteer and understand the environment. You can also message us and we can connect you to other parents who serve.

Many of the folks we are helping are people who may have experienced traumatic events, could be suffering from mental illness, or other issues and it is important that we respect their space. Some things to consider:

• While it is certainly alright to engage and talk with those we meet (you will find this to be the most rewarding part of this mission), you should be guided by their cues. If they are not responsive or seem to want to be left alone, we suggest you do just that.

• Be aware there are individuals who suffer from mental illness, addiction, and may have a criminal history. This could include child and/or sexual predators. We cannot maintain knowledge of individual backgrounds during this open lunch.

• Taking Pictures: Harvest Street Mission makes an effort not to take photographs of those we meet in this mission. Many are seeking work or simply have an aversion to being photographed. Please respect their privacy. If they do give you permission to take a photo with them, NEVER post these pictures online without their permission, or distribute them in any way.

• Personal Privacy: You should not identify yourself by last name, nor should you provide details about where you live, or what school you go to. We recommend you do not wear apparel that is specific to your school or is personally identifiable. You should not identify volunteers or Harvest Street Mission organizers by last name in any meeting with those we serve, or online.

• Online Privacy: Many of our friends have access to internet. It is very important that we not post any pictures of our friends to a page or group that could be easily found publicly. Do not ‘friend’ homeless. This is to protect your privacy as well as our own.