Laurel Shelter, Inc.

Serving Victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault

 

Sexual Assault Hotline  (804) 694-5890

Domestic Violence Hotline  (804) 694-5552
Quick Escape

Welcome Volunteers!!!

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Text Box: * Volunteer Training Information* Listed below are the various trainings and their content required for those interested in volunteering with our program. Please note that not all of the trainings need to be completed in order to volunteer. Completing all eight sessions qualifies a volunteer to provide the same services as staff and serve as an unlimited resource for clients. Please refer to the bottom of this page for more information. Session 1: Orientation: History, philosophy, and structure of Laurel Shelter, Inc.; Definition & Dynamics of Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence; & Stalking, Roles of volunteers, training requirements, Code of Ethics, Code of Conduct, Self-Care, Agency Confidentiality Policy; Agency Policies & Procedures, Emergency Crisis Response to Address Immediate Safety Needs, Community Referrals, Personal Safety and Security of Staff and Volunteers, Cultural Sensitivity. (4 hrs) Session 2: Operations and Information: Outreach Office, Shelter, & Thrift Store Operations, History of the Battered Women’s Movement, Survivor Directed Services, Services, Structure, & Contact Information for The Action Alliance, Commonly Used Acronyms & Jargon, VAdata, Mandatory Reporting, Record Keeping, How Technology is Used in Violence or Stalking (4 hrs) Session 3: Responding to Clients & Crisis Situations: Working with populations & diversity; Intersection of Oppression & the Societal Impact of Violence, Working with People in Underserved Populations (Male, Elder, Children, LGBTQ, Disabled, Immigrant Victims, etc.), Cultural Competency, Active Listening & Crisis Intervention; Problem Solving; Working the Hotline; Hotline Response Specific to DV/SA, Responding to Victims with Special Needs; Suicide Intervention, Empathy; Advocacy; & Communication Strategies, Volunteer Boundaries (4 hrs) Session 4: Understanding Domestic Violence: Trauma of Victimization and Post-Traumatic Stress, Victim’s Rights, Domestic Violence Cycle, Power and Control, Family Violence, The Impact of Domestic Violence on Children, Family Violence Outreach, and Safety Planning (4 hrs) Session 5: Providing Services for Disabled Victims: Working with Persons with Mental Health, Cognitive, and/or Physical Disabilities Who Have Experienced Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence, or Stalking (4 hrs) Session 6: Understanding the Legalities of Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence, and Stalking: Roles of the Legal Advocate and Victim Witness, Individual & Systems Advocacy, Civil and Criminal Justice Systems, Federal and State Laws Relating to Domestic Violence, Sexual Violence, and Stalking, Child Abuse and/or Neglect Standards, Incapacitated and Vulnerable Adult Abuse Laws, Vicarious Traumatization, Lethality/Danger Assessment, Protective Orders, Coordinated Community Response/Sexual Assault Response Teams, Victim Trauma and Case Investigations, Law Enforcement Response (4 hrs) Session 7: Understanding Sexual Violence: Categories of Rapists and Behaviors, Intimate Partner Sexual Violence, Drug Facilitated Sexual Violence, Stranger Rape, Secondary Victimization, Medical Concerns, S.A.N.E Program; Physical Evidence Recovery (PERK) Kit, Rape Shield and Confidential/Blind and 3rd Party Rape Reporting, Responding to Male Victims, Responding to Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Violence, Child Sexual Abuse Victims (4 hrs) Session 8: Related Topics: Sexual Harassment, Prevention Awareness, Client Interactions, Do’s and Don’ts, Q & A, Shelter Tour (if Applicable), Graduation! (4 hrs)

Laurel Shelter, Inc. relies heavily on volunteer support to provide services to victims of domestic violence and/or sexual abuse.  Volunteers perform a wide variety of functions for our organization such as:

 

Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Hotline Support

Donation Support (Pick-ups and Fundraising)

Community Education and Awareness

Repairs and Shelter Maintenance

Program Materials/Newsletter

Child Mentoring/Child Care

Shelter Support

Office Support

Court Advocate

Client Transportation

Outreach Advocate

Children’s Advocate

Resident Mentor

Thrift Store Support

 

If you would like to volunteer, please:

¨ Complete the online application and e-mail it to the Volunteer Coordinator; or,

¨ Print and complete the application, then bring it to the Laurel Shelter, Inc. Outreach Office; or

¨ Contact the Volunteer Coordinator to complete the application and discuss your options.

¨  

 
Text Box: ◄Next Training Session starts► October 8th through November 23, 2009 There will be 8 training sessions, one a week every Thursday 5:30 - 8:30 & the last session on Monday Nov. 23rd Training requirements Level I: Administrative Support Service Volunteers/Interns These volunteers may have incidental contact with persons accessing agency services. These volunteers must receive 4 hours of training. These volunteers may function in the following areas: thrift store, administrative/office, and/or donation management volunteers. Level II: Support Service Volunteers/Interns These volunteers may have some direct contact with persons using agency services. These volunteers must receive a minimum of 20 hours of training and will sign a confidentiality statement. These volunteers may function in one of the following areas: transportation providers, childcare providers, and public awareness/event volunteers. Level III: Direct Services Volunteers/Interns These volunteers will have direct contact with persons accessing agency services. These volunteers must receive a minimum of 32 hours of training and will sign a confidentiality statement. These volunteers may function in one of the following areas: hotline support, support group facilitators, companion services, shelter support, legal advocate and community education volunteers. Donated Service Volunteers These volunteers have no contact or limited contact with persons accessing agency services. (I.e. painters, computer maintenance personnel, accounting, facility maintenance, or fundraising helpers) These volunteers will, at minimum, sign a confidentiality statement before beginning their work.