Center for Hope & Safety
Volunteer Advocates
Become an Advocate
Are you interested in helping empower survivors and their families? At Center for Hope & Safety our volunteer advocates do the valuable work of providing advocacy to survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking.
What is required to be a volunteer?
Volunteer Advocates must complete advocate training in order to be an advocate and work directly with survivors.
Advocates are required to:
- Maintain confidentiality
- Be non-judgmental
- Empathetic
- An active listener
- Have healthy boundaries
- Have positive coping skills
- Commit to supporting CHS’s Mission Statement, philosophy, and policies
- Complete CHS’s Advocate Training Program
- Pass a criminal background check
- Be 18 or older.
What exactly do advocates do?
Trained advocates do so many important things for the survivors we work with. They provide emotional support, education and promote public awareness, crisis intervention, community resources and referrals, safety plan and so much more! Our advocates also support survivors if there is a need to go to the hospital, our confidential safe house, and other occasions.
When would I volunteer?
CHS offers 24 hour services because we know that violence doesn’t occur only during business hours. For that reason, our volunteer advocates are able to give their time in our office during our regular business hours (9AM-5PM) or after-hours on our 24 hour crisis line.
Which way should I give my time?
Any time you give is valuable. Whether you want to help out in our office or on the crisis line, know that you are making a difference in someone’s life. We do find that those with commitments such as work, school, or other obligations prefer to be volunteer on our crisis line, which you can answer in the comfort of your own home.
I have no experience, how will I know what to do?
All volunteer advocates are required to attend CHS’s Advocate Training. This happens three times a year, once in the winter, spring, and fall. Training sessions happen Tuesdays and Thursdays evenings and one Saturday for seven and a half weeks.
What will I learn in Advocate Training?
During advocate training volunteers learn about the dynamics of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, oppression and other skills necessary for advocates. Myths surrounding these issues are also debunked and a lot of great conversation and learning happens. Once training is over, each advocate will receive a certificate of completion and have the opportunity to work directly with clients. To find out more details on the classes, visit our Advocate Training page.
How often do I need to volunteer?
CHS requires that each volunteer advocate completes 1 hotline or office shift each month for a minimum of six months. The Volunteer Coordinator will provide each advocate with opportunities to cover shifts.
24-hour hotline 503-399-7722
©2024 Center for Hope & Safety|Site by NetRaising