Thank you for your interest in volunteering with us! Our Client-Facing Volunteers have an opportunity to become comprehensively trained and serve our clients directly by supporting, guiding, and assisting them at various stages in their healing journey. Client-facing service can provide a glimpse into the social work field, help others in your local community, and add skills to your resume.
Please note: Working directly with clients involves listening and engaging -often about traumatic experiences and extreme situations- which can be disturbing and emotionally taxing. Individuals who are potentially sensitive to intense or erratic behaviors, or who are in recovery from trauma themselves, will need to give special consideration to their personal boundaries and self-care, and may not be suited to serve in this capacity.
Each of our client-facing opportunities requires 30 hours of online training, as well as shadowing in the area of focus. Once you complete the first 15 hours of training and your background check comes back, you can begin shadowing. When training is complete you will be ready to volunteer independently.
COURT ADVOCATE
- Assist victims in completing protective order petitions and related paperwork. The PO process can take 2 to 4 hours, depending on the case.
- Support clients during their time in the DVIS Legal Department or in court.
- Provide survivors with information on other DVIS programs and services that may be beneficial to them.
Special considerations: In addition to online trainings and shadowing, this position requires specialized training with the DVIS Legal Department.
HOSPITAL ADVOCATE
- Assist survivors and SANE nurse during a sexual assault exam. SANE exams can take from 2 to 5 hours, depending on the case.
- Support survivors of all ages based on their individual need. Whether that be listening, comforting, distracting, or advising on procedures.
- Provide survivors with information on other DVIS programs and services that may be beneficial to them.
Special considerations: In addition to online trainings, this position requires mentoring for a minimum of three SANE calls with a DVIS staff member. This is an on-call position and advocate must be within 30 minutes of Hillcrest Hospital.
JAIL OUTREACH ADVOCATES **currently on hiatus.**
- Assist with co-facilitating classes at David L. Moss under direct supervision of DVIS’s VP of Advocacy.
- Learn and deliver content specific to each group while maintaining positivity and encouraging participation.
- Women’s groups cover topics like Domestic Violence Awareness, Healthy Choices, and Coping Skills.
Special considerations: In addition to online trainings, co-facilitators must be at least 21 years old and be able to consistently co-lead class during scheduled times. Additional training is required by David L. Moss before entry is permitted, and all access is up to their discretion.
If one of the above positions appeals to you, the next step is submitting your application!
If you are not sure, you can always begin as a Non Client-Facing Volunteer, and expand your commitment later.