Bucks CAC seeks volunteers

Retirees and part-time employees are doing it. So are career-track workers, college students, single parents and entrepreneurs. They are volunteering their skills, interests and experience, and they are making a difference.

The Bucks County Children’s Advocacy Center, a program of the nonprofit Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA), relies on dedicated volunteers to fill the gap between “need” and “availability.” If you have a skill to share, an interest in people and a wish to lend a hand, then the CAC can use your help.

The Bucks County CAC operates as a collaborative effort with the Bucks County District Attorney’s office, Bucks County Children & Youth Social Services, Bucks County Health Improvement Partnership and local law enforcement.

The CAC provides a safe, child-friendly environment where law enforcement, child protective services, prosecution, victim advocacy, medical and mental health professionals can collaborate in order to develop effective, coordinated strategies to investigate reports of suspected child abuse. These strategies are child-focused and unique based on each individual situation.

“The Bucks County Children’s Advocacy Center welcomes all inquiries from persons interested in volunteering their time and talent to assist in helping children who have experienced abuse,” says Leslie Slingsby, director. “The atmosphere at the Bucks County CAC is child-focused, sensitive, respectful and safe. Everyone has some skill or resource that can benefit the operations and, thus, benefit the innocent children in our community who are victims of abuse.”

Bucks County CAC is currently seeking volunteer assistance in these areas:

• Administrative – general office work including typing, data entry, filing and copying.
  
• Childcare Supervision – provides supervision and responsible for making the child and family comfortable before and/or after their interview. This position requires a commitment of 10 hours/month during weekdays between 9am – 5pm. This position requires 3 hours of training and background checks.
  
• Fundraising – initiate, plan and/or assist with fundraising activities.
  
• Community Outreach/Publicity – writing, editing, graphic arts, design and layout.
  
• Artwork – assist with creating a child-friendly mural and/or obtaining child-friendly artwork from sources in the community.

To volunteer or to learn more about opportunities to help, please contact Leslie Slingsby, LSW, 267.927.0639 or Leslie.Slingsby@BucksCAC.org.