FAQs

I don’t have a driver’s license. Can I still apply to be an Innisfree volunteer?

Yes, you can still apply to Innisfree if you don’t have a driver’s license. However, the community needs a certain number of volunteers who are cleared to drive in order to take coworkers to medical appointments, on outings, to grocery shops, etc. Volunteers who do not drive have the added task of relying on others in the community for transportation on their days off and for their personal wants and needs.

Do all licensed volunteers qualify to drive and use Innisfree cars?

In order to drive Innisfree vehicles, a volunteer must go through a car orientation and take a driving test with a member of the Innisfree Village car committee. In order to be considered eligible to drive Innisfree vehicles, a volunteer must have a clean driving record as well as at least one year’s experience of driving. In order to transport coworkers, a volunteer must have at least 3 years of driving experience.

What is the training like?

The first month for a volunteer is called a “trial period.” During the first 4-6 weeks of arrival, volunteers will have various trainings and orientations that will equip them to serve in their homes, workstations, and the overall community. Training will include a rotation through workstations, thorough in-house training of daily routines, personal care, and house management. Medical training is also included with medication administration orientations, discussions on disabilities, challenging behaviors, and medical histories. Community-wide orientations include the history and mission of Innisfree, community guidelines and policies, as well as financial training. At the end of the trial period, each volunteer will have an informal evaluation to check on the status of their training and overall community experience. It is during this check-in that volunteers confirm their one-year commitment to service.

Is there public transportation available to and from Innisfree? In Charlottesville?

Village drivers may provide access to and from Crozet and Charlottesville, but there is no public transportation between Innisfree Village and Charlottesville. Within the city of Charlottesville, there is a local bus service. Furthermore, Charlottesville is serviced by the Amtrak train as well as by Greyhound bus service. The Charlottesville-Albemarle airport is about a 35-minute drive from Innisfree Village.

How much time will I be spending in workstations?

Volunteers are generally off either Friday/Saturday or Sunday/Monday. Since there are no workstations on Tuesday, this means volunteers most often spend three days a week in the workstations, or a total of about fifteen hours (9 am – 3 pm, with an hour lunch break for three days).

What do I need to bring with me if I volunteer?

Rooms are furnished with beds, a dresser, etc. so volunteers do not need to bring furniture. The houses are also stocked with linens, kitchenware, and other household items so volunteers need not bring these, either. We recommend volunteers bring comfortable clothes and shoes appropriate for four seasons, as it is usually hot and humid in the summer and cold (and sometimes snowy) in the winter in Virginia, as well as toiletries and other personal items you would like to make your room feel homey. The rooms vary in size and it is best not to bring too many personal items as storage space is not available in the village.

I’m interested in making more than a one-year commitment to Innisfree. How does that work?

We ask all volunteers to make a one-year commitment. After 10 months, if a volunteer is interested in extending their time, they are eligible to submit a written proposal to extend that the community willconsider. After gathering community input, the volunteer application committee meets to decide on the proposal. We do value having longer-term volunteers at Innisfree.

Do you accept international volunteers? How do I obtain a visa?

Yes, we regularly accept volunteers from around the world! The COVID-19 pandemic has created more challenges with international volunteers being able to join us, therefore, we accept a limited number of international applications per year. Volunteers who have a current and valid B1/B2 visa as well as those whose home country falls under the U.S. Visa Waiver are more likely to be selected as candidates.

Volunteers must apply for a B1 or B2 visa in order to join us. Once a volunteer has applied and been accepted, Innisfree sends documentation for the volunteer to take for their visa interview at their corresponding U.S. consulate/embassy. If the request is denied by the embassy, unfortunately, there is nothing Innisfree can do to appeal or assist in changing the embassy’s decision.

Do you have a recommended reading list for people interested in volunteering?

The Innisfree website is the best place to get information specifically about Innisfree. In terms of books about people with disabilities, a few good titles include: Being Human by Jean Vanier (on the spiritual side), Thinking in Pictures by Temple Grandin (also a movie), and Riding the Bus With My Sister by Rachel Simon (also a movie).

What should I know to prepare for my visit?

During a potential volunteer visit, you will most likely spend time in several workstations as well as in one or more of our community houses. Please bring comfortable work clothes and shoes. Ask questions and introduce yourself to people, and follow the lead of the volunteers in how they interact with coworkers. Please do not tell coworkers that you will be coming back as a volunteer unless you have already applied and been accepted and are absolutely certain that you will be coming to join the community. Most importantly: be yourself.

Do you have wireless internet in your houses?

Yes, each Innisfree house has Wi-Fi as well as all community buildings and workstations. Details about responsible internet use and community policies are provided during a volunteer’s training period.

Can I come with my dogs/cats/other pets?

No, we do allow one-year volunteers to bring pets. If you have an official service or emotional support animal with the proper certification, we can consider your application on a case-by-case basis.

What kind of personal care are Innisfree volunteers expected to provide?

Coworkers require different levels of personal care. During a year at Innisfree, a volunteer will most likely be asked to assist coworkers in bathing, dressing, toileting, shaving, and toothbrushing. Training is provided, and volunteers are not expected to assume these responsibilities immediately upon arrival. Volunteers are expected to have a willingness to learn and perform these skills while developing trust and rapport with the coworkers in their care.

How many hours does a volunteer work each day?

Since Innisfree Village is a life-sharing setting where life and work are woven together, it is different from a job that involves punching a time clock and where there is a strict separation between work and life. For most volunteers a day “on” begins between 7:30 and 8 am with morning routines that include: medication administration, breakfast, personal care, etc. followed by workstations from 9 am – 3 pm. After workstations are over, a volunteer may attend a meeting some days, or return home to help prepare dinner or spend time with the coworkers in the house. Evenings are more relaxed with opportunities for spending quality time as a household; i.e. watching a movie, playing a game, or chatting over a cup of tea. Most houses end their full day between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m.

Do I need to bring a personal car as an Innisfree volunteer?

No, you do not need to bring a personal car, but you are welcome to do so. The benefit of bringing a personal car is that it provides a volunteer with freedom and mobility, and the drawback is the expense of maintenance, insurance, gas, etc. If a volunteer uses a personal car for community use (e.g. taking a coworker to a medical appointment, out shopping, etc.) they will be monetarily reimbursed for it.

What are you looking for in volunteer applicants?

In our experience, the most successful volunteers possess the following: patience, a desire to live in community in a rural setting, a sense of humor, compassion, a positive attitude, the ability to work as part of a team, good communication skills, and an ability to deal with conflict in a mature manner. It is a plus if a volunteer applicant has experience working with people with disabilities, or with one of the workstation areas (baking, gardening, woodworking, etc.) but it is not a requirement.

What can volunteers do for fun on their days off?

Volunteers often get together in the evenings to watch movies, play games, make music, or simply sit around a chat in one of the houses or around a campfire. Our natural setting provides lots of opportunities for those who enjoy hiking, walking, running, biking, or other outdoor activities. The close proximity to Charlottesville also provides ample opportunities for cultural enrichment, community events, shopping, restaurants, and even sporting events.