Needs From: Volunteer Michigan

Volunteer Advocates play an essential role in providing support to victims of sexual assault and intimate partner violence on an on-call basis. Volunteers are on-call for two to three 12-hour shifts per month at home until called. Advocates must be good listeners, committed to and invested in providing empathy and support to the people we serve. Reliable transportation is required. Training is provided as a hybrid format with expected completion within 2 weeks. Volunteers self schedule their own shifts and will shadow an experienced advocate during an exam prior to providing advocacy independently.

When you receive a call during your shift, you will meet the victim/survivor at the exam site and provide emotional support and information to the survivors and their families and/or friends. You will also receive crisis calls and provide emotional support and connection to resources over the phone. A year-long commitment is encouraged.

Qualifications:

-18 years of age or older (male and female)
-Ability to respond to a call within 30 minutes
-Be available for calls three times a month, Monday - Thursday between 6pm and 6am, Friday between 5pm and 6am. On weekends and holidays from 6am to 6pm and 6pm to 6am. 6 hour shifts are also offered.
-Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills, compassionate and non-judgmental
-Volunteers contract to serve two to three shifts a month (more are welcome!) and a preferred minimum of one (1) year.

Statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.

Responsibilities:

-Respect the confidentiality of all client/agency information
-Be available for calls two to three times a month
-Respond to Nurse Examiner site (YWCA West Central Michigan) or local hospital when a sexual assault is reported.
-Take crisis calls for emotional support and information about resources.
-Adhere to policies and procedures of the YWCA Sexual Assault Program
-Complete the hybrid training process and shadowing
-Patient, compassionate, and non-judgmental in relation to survivor's interests and attitudes
Ability to work under pressure

Fill out the Volunteer Application or email Jenna Schook, YWCA Volunteer Advocate Program Manager at jschook@ywcawcmi.org for more information or any questions or concerns.

You can also contact Margaret Upjohn, YWCA Crisis Advocate/Staff Back-Up at mupjohn@ywcawcmi.org as well.