Volunteer Opportunities

  Before You Volunteer

Before you volunteer at a shelter or organization:

• Ask yourself: Can I help people in need without judging or criticizing? People at domestic abuse shelters are experiencing many stresses, dangers and problems. Their lives may not make sense to you.
• Talk to the staff at the shelter and schedule an interview. Shelters must be very careful about whom they allow to volunteer. They must protect the privacy and safety of the victims.

Volunteer opportunities range from one–day individual and team projects to long–term commitments. Local domestic abuse shelters and state coalitions will help you identify volunteer positions that suit your interests and schedule.

Those interested in volunteering at a local domestic abuse shelter or working with children must complete a volunteer application, reference check, criminal background check and specialized training. Volunteers are required to complete 20 hours of training, followed by 20 hours of "shadowing" by a seasoned volunteer.

In addition to volunteering in a domestic violence shelter or organization, there are many other ways you can support domestic violence survivors in your community.

• Participate in domestic abuse walks/runs
• Support a crisis hotline
• Assist with childcare or children’s programs
• Organize food, school supply, toiletry or cell-phone drives
• Participate in fundraising
• Support special events
• Provide general office or administrative support
• Maintain a shelter (minor repairs, painting, yard work, etc.)
• Serve on a domestic abuse shelter board of directors
• Share individual expertise (e.g., financial, communications)
• Donate money or charitable goods to domestic abuse shelters. Before donating, contact the program to identify needs.