Sign-up to become a Womenspace Volunteer! Fall Training is scheduled for Saturdays in October – 5, 12, 19, 26. The times for these trainings are 8:30 am-5:30 pm.
Womenspace Volunteer Training is mandatory for volunteers wishing to work directly with participants. The training takes a total of 32-hours to complete.
Volunteer requirements – (all volunteers)
1.) Completed Volunteer Application, New Volunteer Interview, Pass Criminal Background Check. Verifiable References.
2.) ONE (1) year minimum commitment / ONE shift per week (4-hours)
3.) Committed to learning about and working in the field of Intimate Partner Violence Advocacy
If you would like to volunteer but cannot attend the trainings or do not wish to work directly with participants – we have events, fundraisers, organizing, office tasks and other general projects and tasks that we need help with throughout the year.
All prospective volunteers must complete the Womenspace Volunteer Application.
If you would like additional information or have any questions about volunteering, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at 541-485-8232 or email volunteer@womenspaceinc.org.
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Direct Service Volunteers – All volunteers who want to work directly with clients attend our required 32-hour training. In addition, there are follow-up trainings for each service area selected by a volunteer, and seminars on general topics that are open to all volunteers and staff.
Crisis Line
Staff our 24- hour phone lines. Use crisis intervention and active listening skills to help problem-solve and give information referrals to battered adults, their friends and family or other service providers; educate callers on domestic violence and safety plans.
Crisis & Support Center
Assist adults and their children in person at the Crisis & Support Center by answering phones, completing client intakes, safety planning, and making referrals to other agencies and services, educating on domestic violence, help in filing restraining orders and occasionally accompanying clients to court.
Shelter Advocacy
Begins with tasks for smooth running of the shelter – cleaning, organizing, chores, errands, driving clients – and active listening, support and validation of adult and child clients. With experience, may lead to closer client work, advocacy and case work.
Children and Youth
Offer a safe space, creative activities, and healing presence for children who have witnessed or experienced trauma. Volunteers listen, encourage empowerment, and healing through play, art, and domestic violence education when appropriate.
Mentorship Opportunities
Womenspace staff advocates may be able to train and work directly with volunteers in a mentor/mentee type capacity. These positions are limited and will depend on advocate needs and volunteer skills, commitment level and availability They types of skills a ‘volunteer advocate assistant’ might learn are:
One-on-One Advocacy- Meet directly with clients to provide information, referral and advocacy.
Legal Advocacy- For clients facing legal problems due to IPV.
Bilingual Advocacy- Provide first language advocacy for participants with limited English proficiency.
Rural Outreach- Offices in Junction City, Cottage Grove and Oakridge.
Support groups- Assist support group facilitators.
Womenspace can also use the help of dedicated Community and Administrative Volunteers – these are volunteer duties designed for those not working directly with Womenspace participants. ALL Womenspace volunteers are encouraged and invited to attend the 32-hour volunteer training as it greatly improves awareness and knowledge about the topic of Intimate Partner Violence and Womenspace Services.
Opportunities marked with an (*) below do not require immediate training.
*Administrative / General Tasks
If you have experience working in an office and want to assist our administrative staff with projects such as Office Administration, Grant Writing, Development/Fundraising – etc… this may be the right fit for you. We also always need help with organizing and cleaning type tasks.
*Domestic Violence Council
An exciting collaboration including survivors, service providers, and agency staff. Volunteers may attend Council and committee meetings; provide administrative support; take part in projects like: court watch; legislative analysis for youth protective orders; curriculum creation for young men who batter.
*Special Projects and Events
Community fundraisers, one-time projects and collaborations. If you have specific interests, skills, or time constraints, these are a great way to support Womenspace’s work.
*Donations
Our generous community provides donations to brighten the situations of families who use our services. Help pick up and transport donations year round, but especially during November and December. You can also donate to Womenspace online, directly supporting our mission of eliminating domestic violence in Lane County and beyond. More info »