Volunteer Program.
Working together to make a better world!
Our volunteers are able to assist in a wide variety of tasks, including planning and staffing events, answering the Hotline to provide support and advocacy to victims, and participating in outreach.
Volunteer Opportunities
There are two types of volunteers at RDVIC:
Volunteer Advocates
Volunteer Advocates respond to RDVIC’s 24 hour hotline for victims. Volunteer advocates work out of their homes and use their cell phones or home phones to respond to crisis calls. Some of the services they may provide to victims are:
Talk on the phone with victims to provide support, information and discuss their options
Transport a client to shelter
Assist a client with filing a Domestic Violence Protection Order at Magistrate Court
Provide advocacy at hospitals
Volunteer advocates must complete at least twenty (20) hours of training before becoming active volunteers.
Volunteer Advocate shifts are:
Monday- Friday: 5PM - 9AM
Saturdays and Sundays: 9AM - 9PM or 9PM - 9AM
Auxiliary Volunteers
Auxiliary Volunteers help with a variety of agency activities such as:
Holiday gift wrap fundraiser
Provide support for events for Sexual Assault Awareness and Domestic Violence awareness months
Provide support for the United Way Greatest Garage Sale fundraisers.
(Auxiliary Volunteers are not required to attend volunteer training.)
Become a Volunteer!
Hours
Monday–Friday
9AM - 5PM
Phone
(304) 292-5100
Amaya Williams,
Outreach & Volunteer Coordinator
Email: amayaw@rdvic.org
FAQs
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Volunteer training is held at least four times a year at the RDVIC office and consists of twenty (20) hours of training on how to take a crisis call, a shelter tour, plus instructions for responding to the answering service, how to complete client report forms and shelter packets, and how to advocate for victims.
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RDVIC staff members teach the classes. Each volunteer is given a manual containing the information needed to provide support to victims. Counselors will be available to answer your questions.
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We will understand and accept that you have decided not to volunteer at this time. We will ask you to always keep our location confidential for the safety of all involved.
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We ask that you sign a contract committing to at least six (6) months as a volunteer.
We ask that you take at least two shifts a month.
Another requirement is that you must have a car to be available to pick up a client for shelter or to go to the hospital on a domestic situation or sexual assault call.
You may need to transport a client to file a Family Protection Order. However, we may be able to make exceptions for volunteers who do not have a vehicle.
Because our resource are very limited, you must be available to complete your volunteer shifts!
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RDVIC has a mentor program. When volunteers are on call, a staff member is available to advise and answer your questions. Mentors carry a cell phone to be available for your calls.
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No problem! Your mentor will be available to take calls until you are able once again to handle the calls. The mentor is there for your questions and to support you.
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Volunteer meetings are held once a month. These meetings only last one (1) hour and are very important. At least four (4) in-service trainings are held during the course of the year. When you become a volunteer, you agree to attend monthly meetings and the in-service trainings. Trainings help volunteers to update their manuals and learn about new laws or policies that affect sexual assault or domestic violence victims.
RDVIC Volunteer Commandments:
Confidentiality must be maintained at all times.
The agency must be notified immediately of a volunteer’s desire to change status
Volunteers must agree to seek peer/supervisory support.
Volunteers must agree to adhere to policies/procedures for practice set forth by our Board of Directors.
Volunteers must agree to attend monthly meetings, within reason.
Volunteers must honor commitments.
Volunteers must agree to arrange replacements when scheduling changes must take place and to notify the office of all changes made.
Volunteers must direct all concerns to the Volunteer Coordinator.
Volunteers must represent the agency in a positive manner.
Volunteers must keep appropriate agency documentation and submit such to the agency.
Personal beliefs (religious, moral, etc.) must be kept separate from professional interventions.
