Domestic Violence Crisis Line Volunteers needed!

Domestic Violence Crisis Line Volunteers needed!

40-Hour Domestic Violence Training begins Monday, October 10

Applications due September 23, 2016

Please read the information below about volunteering on our 24-hour Crisis Line and enrolling in the Fall 2016, 40-hour Domestic Violence Advocacy (DVA) training. DVA training is a state-mandated training under the Illinois Domestic Violence Act which grants volunteers opportunities to work directly with clients and is required to volunteer on the line.

· DVA training begins Monday, October 10. It is held every Monday and Wednesday evening from 6 PM to 9 PM and every Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM (time built in for a lunch break). Training takes place for five weeks straight, ending on Saturday, November 12, for 15 sessions in total.

· Participants cannot miss more than three days of training and will have make-up assignments for any missed sessions.

· Once you complete the training, you are a Certified Domestic Violence Advocate who volunteers to answer calls on our 24-hour Crisis Line. All volunteers commit to Crisis Line for at least six months, signing up to complete at least two shifts per month.

· Signing up to volunteer is easy! Crisis Line volunteer shift times vary and are completed from home using an online call forwarding procedure.

o Monday through Friday shifts: 6 PM to 12 AM or overnight 12 AM to 8 AM.

o Weekends shifts: 9 AM to 12 PM, 12 PM to 3 PM, 3 PM to 6 PM, 6 PM to 9 PM, 9 PM to 12 AM or overnight 12 AM to 9 AM.

· The training is located at the Sarah's Inn office in Oak Park, a short walk from the CTA blue line and free street parking.

· Training is provided free of charge to participants who have been accepted as volunteers (we do, however, request a $25 materials fee). If you are not interested in volunteering with Sarah’s Inn, but would like to obtain the Domestic Violence Advocate certification, the cost for the training is $250.

A completed application, two references, and a volunteer interview are required to become a Crisis Line volunteer. Applications are due September 23, 2016. Please note, an interview does not guarantee that you will be selected for a Crisis Line volunteer position, but there may be other opportunities for you to be involved with Sarah’s Inn as a volunteer.

To apply for a volunteer Crisis Line position in Fall 2016, please contact Imelda Guerra, Volunteer and Events Coordinator at iguerra@sarahsinn.org or (708) 386-3305 ext. 1005 .

Please visit our website www.sarahsinn.org for more volunteer opportunities.