|
|
| The Haven Volunteer Program |
Volunteers supplement the workforce across America and the world, fighting to support a host of humanitarian efforts ranging from hunger to housing to medical care. The Haven Volunteers are no different. They are the lifeblood of our organization, and they fill a variety of volunteer jobs right here in the Northern Neck and Essex County.
Haven Volunteers have made this organization possible right from the beginning. As our program has grown so has our need for aid in our mission to provide safety, support, and solutions for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. It is our hope that you will join us in our mission.
Training Process
The Haven training process is more extensive depending on the level of interaction between volunteer and client. The initial first level of training is designed for volunteers/interns who may have incidental client contact. This group of volunteers will receive eight hours of training. Some examples of things you could volunteer to do with this amount of training are administrative/office work, donation management, or committee work (depending on the committee’s role).
The second level of training is designed for volunteers who may have some client contact. This level consists of16 hours of training to prepare volunteers for various jobs such as, transportation provider, childcare provider (not child services), and public awareness activities such as “booth sitters”.
Volunteers who are interested in providing direct client services (ongoing contact with agency clients) will receive the third level of training that consists of 32 hours of initial training. These volunteers can fill roles such as, hotline workers, support group facilitators, advocates, shelter support, and community education volunteers.
It is our hope that stages or levels of volunteer involvement will help volunteers better focus in a specific area of interest and make it easier to render informed decisions about the level of involvement and commitment that they desire.
The Haven varies the times and locations of these trainings, to the extent that it is possible, in order to best meet the needs of the participants. Additionally, The Haven makes these trainings available to allied professionals and volunteers for other programs who are interested in learning more about these issues. There is no fee for the training for prospective Haven volunteers or other persons: however, allied professionals and volunteers for other programs must pay a fee to cover the cost of the training manual if they choose to purchase one.
The following topics are covered in The Haven’s volunteer training:
- Active Listening
- Crisis Intervention
- Boundaries & Confidentiality
- Domestic Violence
- Shelter Procedures
- Cultural Awareness
- Children’s Issues
- Sexual Assault I & II
- Civil & Criminal Issues
- Hospital Issues
- Role Plays
- Suicide Assessment
- Community Resources
- Referrals
- Survivor Panel/Volunteer Panel
- Case Management
New volunteers are always needed. Trainings are offered throughout the year on an as needed basis. However, if your church or organization has at least five people who are interested in volunteering for The Haven, we will schedule a training to specifically meet the needs of your group. Anyone who is interested in volunteering can contact the Community Relations Coordinator by phone at (804) 333-1099 X13 or by email at crc@havenshelter.org. We will send you more information about The Haven, when our trainings are being offered, or how to schedule training for your group.
:: Volunteer Application Form :: |
|
|
|
