VOLUNTEERS MAKE RESPONSE WORK!
Volunteer Training is designed to help Response volunteers provide appropriate responses and effective communication and crisis intervention counseling techniques necessary in working with sexual assault survivors.
The training is 40 hours and is delivered by Response staff and volunteer professionals from the community. It is usually 3 hours per session over a six week period (2 sessions per week).
A pre-course interview is required with the Volunteer Coordinator.
Volunteers must be members of Response. The membership fee is $25. There is a $100 registration fee for someone who wants the training but does not plan to volunteer.
Training is usually held in the Fall months of September/October, Winter January/February and Spring May/June. The winter training is often held in the daytime to attract volunteers who have daytime availability to volunteer.
Call the volunteer coordinator, Sylvia Passantino, at 623-2115 for information about the next training course.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
- Volunteers who wish to provide direct crisis intervention counseling to sexual assault victims may do so in the following ways:
- Phone duty during nonbusiness hours. The 24 hour hotline is diverted to volunteers' homes overnight or during week-end shifts. Volunteers are asked to sign up for 4 duties, or shifts, per month.
- Companion duty - volunteers who sign up for companion duty in lieu of phone duty are on standby to respond to the hospital emergency room, court or police station.
A pre-course interview and 40 hour training from Response are required in order to volunteer to provide the above direct services to clients. Attendance at regular inservices is also required to keep skills and knowledge updated and to assure high quality services to clients. There is always a staff person on call to provide supervision to volunteers.
- Community Educators provide education programs with a focus on awareness and risk reduction. Some educators specialize in working with children or adults.These volunteers complete the Volunteer training and in addition complete a speakers training course of 12 hours.
- Board of Directors members make policy, plan for the future of Response and raise the funds to make the programs possible.
- Fundraisers assist with special events such as a golf tournament, special sales and other activities.
- Office assistants help with clerical and computer work.
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