The Rotary Club of Del Mar-Solana Beach has invited us to join them in volunteering with Just in Time for Foster Youth’s at a shopping day for their My First Home program. It will be a great trial run for the shopping day our club is hosting in December.

Just in Time for Foster Youth's (JIT) is a San Diego nonprofit based in Mission Valley that focuses on engaging a caring community to help transition age foster youth (ages 18-26) achieve self-sufficiency and well-being.

The My First Home service assists youth in creating a place they can call home, which is fundamental to creating their foundation for success. Youth attend their Distribution Center for a shopping day, where they can select everything they need to create a safe, comfortable and reliable environment they can be proud of. These items can include dressers, nightstands, dining tables and chairs, desks, dish sets, utensils, bedding, lamps, and much more.

There are typically 6 participants attending a shopping day which requires the support of approximately 24 volunteers. Each participant gets assigned a team of volunteers to support throughout their shopping experience in the following roles:

• 1 Shopper (Total of 6 volunteers): Helping a youth select items on their wish list and ensure all the items are marked for movers. The shopper will also be taking notes on items selected by the participant.

• 2 Movers (Total of 12 volunteers):  Once items are selected at the Distribution Center, the mover will move the items to a designated area outside and will help load furniture/household items into the moving vehicles, drive to the youth's home, and unload and move items into the youth's home. There is a lot of heavy lifting, and you must be comfortable with lifting heavy items.

• 1 Driver (Total of 6 volunteers): Help transport items using their SUV, pick-up truck, or a larger vehicle. Drivers do not need to arrive until 10am.