Volunteer with us!

 
Thank you for your interest in our volunteer program!
 
Volunteers are the backbone of our organization’s services, and we appreciate your interest in getting involved. You can learn more about our upcoming 40-hour training cycle below, as well as a bit more about volunteering in general. 
 
 
FOR APPLICANTS: FAQ
 
Why do I need 40-hours of training?
 
The state of California requires 40 hours of training for DV organization staff and/or volunteers who provide counseling to survivors. The training is designed to provide education on DV dynamics and other related topics. Ensuring that all of our team graduates this training plays a pivotal role in client confidentiality. 
 
If you are not looking to become a DV counselor with WOMAN Inc or another DV organization, you may consider setting up an educational workshop, or joining an upcoming 20 hour training at W.O.M.A.N., Inc.  For more information on either opportunity, please email us at training@womaninc.org.
 
What does this volunteer opportunity involve? 
 
We are recruiting folks to volunteer on our 24-hour domestic violence support line. 
 
Folks interested in becoming a volunteer can fill out an application here. We ask applicants to take proper time to complete applications as they help us determine who we interview before each cycle. We are unable to provide training spaces to every applicant. 
 
 

What does the W.O.M.A.N., Inc. support line training involve? 

Alternating Thursdays 6p-8p (zoom), Saturdays 10a-4p (in person). Volunteer trainees are also required to read approximately 18-20 hours of self paced online modules (via Teachable).

We invite trainees into a learning and unlearning community. We invite folks to deepen their understanding of DV dynamics, intersections of violence, and exam how our systems contribute to the oppression experienced by DV survivors & our larger community. 

What are some key dates (for this cycle):  The application period for this cycle has closed. Please visit us later this summer for updates!

Applications due: pending

Training begins: pending

Concludes: pending 

trainees must commit to and attend ALL training sessions (remote and in-person) to be accepted into training and eventually placed on the line

What are some ongoing commitments once training concludes?:

We will ensure that each training graduate fully understands not only their role, but how to receive support from staff as they fulfill their role. Some of the tasks of a support line volunteer include:

  • ongoing, 4 hours shifts on the support line
  • communication via email (reading emails and responding to emails from the staff and volunteer community)
  • we ask for a one-year commitment from volunteers (though many volunteers stay on past that term)

What are you looking for in a volunteer?:

We seek to assemble a team that reflects our participant race and ethnicity, gender identity, language, etc. 

We seek to offer ample support for all our participants; to that end, we seek volunteers  who are bilingual-bicultural.

Folks who identify as a part of historically marginalized communities are encouraged to apply.

Folks living in the SF Bay Area are prioritized, and residence in California is required. 

We are seeking volunteers who have daytime availability (9a-1p or 1-5p). 

Strong communication and follow through are MUSTS for support line volunteers. We look for committed folks, who take their work on the line seriously, and understand the importance of showing up for shifts.

We hope volunteers will play an active role in the W.O.M.A.N., Inc community, during and after the 40-hour training. This can look like attending ongoing education, outings, volunteer meetings, etc. and/or asking questions and making suggestions along the way. 

This training cycle is for potential volunteers only.  Sorry, no outside organization staff or volunteers will be admitted.
Check back for our 20 hour community training program coming soon! To learn about the community training, email Alicia (alicia@womaninc.org).

 

HAVE QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS?

Contact training@womaninc.org for more information or alicia@womaninc.org