Part-Time Clothing Closet Coordinator at New Life CRC (Guelph, ON)

New Life Christian Reformed Church (New Life) is seeking two part-time staff members to fill the needs of our community outreach program “The Clothing Closet” (the Closet). The Closet forms part of New Life’s vision to Know, See and Be Jesus through providing free, no obligation clothing to anyone in need. 

The requirements of the job will be shared between the two coordinators to make best use of their individual abilities. Currently the Closet operates on Wednesday morning (preparation) and opens for shopping (and preparation) on Thursday morning (9 am to 12 noon) and evening (5 to 7 pm). We anticipate altering the Thursday evening hours to afternoons (3 to 6 pm). 

Note that the hours per role may be adjusted to suit the split of responsibilities between the two coordinators. 

Title: Clothing Closet Coordinator: Operations – 20 hours / week. 

• Overseer of operations and main administrative person 

• Provide on-site support during normal operating hours of the closet

• Briefly, responsible for  

o shopping/store 

o ministry and staff integration 

o legal/safety 

o promotions 

o miscellaneous administrative tasks including maintaining SOPs 

Title: Clothing Closet Coordinator: Volunteers – 10 hours / week. 

• Directly supervises the volunteer(s) preparing clothes for shopping

• Provide on-site support during the normal operation hours of the closet

• Briefly, responsible for 

O all things relating to volunteers including all prep activities and the infrastructure required to ensure this. 

O all things relating to donations including clothing drives and preparing clothes for the store. 

Key Responsibilities  

1. Responsible for all aspects of this ministry. 

2. Maintain a flourishing volunteer base. 

3. Ensure the ‘store’ is open for shopping. 

4. Ensure enough quality clothing is available. 

5. Be part of the staff team and report to the Deacons.  

6. Promotion within New Life and the city of Guelph.

7. Convey with enthusiasm how the Closet is part of the vision of New Life to “Know,  See and Be Jesus”.  

8. Uphold the Clothing Closet Mission Statement: 

Qualities 

1. Strong organizational and volunteer management skills 

2. Works well with others – relational leadership 

3. Self-initiating and self-motivated 

4. Encouraging and hospitable 

5. Passion for respectfully helping people 

6. Compassionate and empathetic 

Volunteers  

1. Recruit, train, oversee the work of volunteers, following New Life Safe Church screening practices. 

2. Maintain register of volunteers. 

3. Maintain the schedule of volunteers. 

4. Create and maintain volunteer recruiting documents, role descriptions, risk assessments and volunteer register. 

5. Demonstrate appreciation for the volunteers. 

6. Provide empowering support (Volunteer Handbook, Volunteer-in-Charge  Handbook), clear policies and guidance. 

7. Promote a culture of inclusion, compassion and cooperation (Culture of a Flourishing Closet). 

8. Train volunteers in safety aspects (evacuations, overdose response, bed bugs, Health Canada clothing safety regulations). 

9. Address conflict when it arises and utilize New Life Restorative practices.

10. Arrange for celebrations such as important anniversaries. 

Shopping  

1. Ensure the ‘store’ is open. 

2. Ensure the culture of the Closet is welcoming, safe and hospitable for the community, donors, volunteers and New Life ministries. 

3. Arrange for registration of new community members. 

4. Communicate clearly defined, equitable, shopping policies for all, including volunteers, sometimes in multiple languages. 

5. Address fraud concerns. 

Inventory (clothing donations) 

1. Maintain consistently high quality, ‘fresh’ clothing display by arranging for the sorting, displaying and distribution of clothing.  

2. Determine when clothing drives are needed and demonstrate donor appreciation. 

3. Oversee the storage of off-season items. 

4. Arrange for re-donation of excess clothing. 

Ministry and staff integration 

1. Maintain a symbiotic relationship with the New Life Café1. 

2. Participate in an Advisory Committee to include one diaconate member. 

3. Keep the designate of the Diaconate informed of concerns, accomplishments and reasons for thanksgiving. 

4. Integrate New Life ministries into the life of the Closet where possible 

5. Collaborate as part of the New Life Staff – occasional staff meetings and events 

6. Participate in strategic planning as it pertains to the Closet and community  engagement/New Life ministries. 

Legal / Safety 

1. Ensure compliance with the Safe Church Policy i.e. proper screening of all  volunteers, record keeping, police checks when needed, checking references, training, writing role descriptions. 

2. Ensure compliance with The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act 

3. Ensure compliance with Health Canada regulations as they pertain to the  distribution of used goods. 

4. Self-educate in areas of safety (building emergencies, health and safety, substance  exposure, bed bugs) 

5. Ensure equipment is in good working order and arrange for repairs/replacement.  

1 New Life operates a Café during the Closet Thursday morning shopping. Providing free drinks and snacks,  this social gathering provides New Life with a ministry opportunity to support those using the Closet.

Promotion 

1. Engage the New Life congregation by including various ministries, providing reports, presentations. 

2. Build profile in the city by promoting the Closet using media and liaising with local  poverty relief organizations and service organizations. 

3. Nurture relationships with the media (regular media releases and appreciation). 

4. Nurture relationships with service organizations. 

5. Keep the Closet social media current, including using it for thanking donors. 

6. Foster/accept opportunities to grow exposure. 

7. Create all promotional materials, including business cards, signs, social media, video. 

Administrative  

1. Write and maintain an up-to-date policy and procedures manual (SOPs) 

2. Collect and analyze registration data, stats to create new policies. 

3. Arrange for the maintenance of a ledger of expenses and income, creation of annual financial statement and budget. 

4. Maintain a list of assets. 

5. Oversee the Closet budget.  

6. Oversee the Closet bookkeeper. (This is not the church bookkeeper.)

Application Deadline: June 20, 2025 

Contact: 

Hester de Groot - [email protected] 

Office & Ministry Coordinator, New Life Christian Reformed Church 

400 Victoria Rd. N. Guelph, ON  

N1E 5J7  

519-823-5851