Volunteer Against Violence

Volunteers are the cornerstones of WRC. They enable us to provide current and expanding services to our clients. We seek to increase the diversity of our volunteer group and to bring into the Center individuals with unique talents and skills. Our volunteers support all of the services and outreach efforts through individually tailored volunteer schedules. We are looking for volunteers to assist staff who work with clients providing advocacy and support via the hotline, on-site court advocacy, on-site safe home advocacy and a number of programs..

Read the description of volunteer activities positions listed below

. Contact Tracy for additional information.

Hotline

We seek volunteers to help us staff our 24-hour, seven days a week hotline serving victims of domestic violence. Our volunteers provide crucial support during non-business hours and on weekends, a time when victims need to be able to contact someone who can help. Hotline volunteers receive special training and will be well equipped to assist callers in crisis, callers needing shelter in a safe home, food and other assistance. You can make a difference by simply being there to offer support and to provide an outlet for a victim. You can make a difference by helping a victim determine if they are safe, helping them find a safe home, or needed services. Answering the hotline can be the link that helps a victim take the initial step to confronting the violence and securing a safe future for themselves and their children.

Volunteer Description: Volunteers provide confidential, non-judgmental support, information about the Center services, and links to community services. The hotline operates 24-hours each day and volunteers enable us to respond to victim needs during the evenings and on weekends.

Pre-requisite: Completion of 24-hour training course at The Women’s Resource Center.

Safe Home

Volunteer Description: Volunteers assist women and children in our residential safe home by listening, joining in safe home activities, playing with the children, assisting safe home staff and initiating relaxing activities while women develop the skills and acquire the services they need.

Pre-requisite: Completion of 24-hour training course at The Women’s Resource Center and meeting with safe home staff.

Frontline Help

Volunteer Description: Volunteers can work on day-to-day projects in support of the Center staff. Projects and activities include; answering the telephone, completing follow-up phone calls, tracking paperwork, helping with outreach activities, public relations campaigns and other light office activities.

Pre-requisite: Enthusiasm and ability to jump in and get the work done.

Court Advocacy

Volunteer Description: Volunteers work at the courthouse assisting Center’s legal staff in helping victims obtain restraining orders, explaining the court process to victims and providing moral support.

Pre-requisite: Completion of 24-hour training course at The Women’s Resource Center and meeting with the Center’s legal staff.

Children Who Witness

Volunteer Description: Volunteers work with the Center Coordinator to facilitate small groups of children engaged in a variety of constructive activities including; painting, drawing, games and other activities designed to help children work through issues surrounding violence in their lives.

Pre-requisite: Completion of 24-hour training course at The Women’s Resource Center and meeting with the Center’s Coordinator of children’s programs.

Youth Programs

Volunteer Description: Please check back.

Other Opportunities

The Women's Resource Center of Newport and Bristol Counties plans to enhance our current programs and seeks volunteers with special skills and interests. Our program is flexible and allows volunteers to initiate new programs. Currently, we seek volunteers who can offer new classes or help us with the following activities:

Art Sessions: Design and conduct classes for clients wishing to paint, working with clay, quilt, draw and learn about other forms of artistic expression.

Gardening: We are looking for volunteers interesting in providing grounds keeping and gardening support to our Center and confidential safe home. The projects may include maintaining flower boxes, small flower beds and herb garden, and other landscaping assistance. We also seek volunteers who are interested in designing a floral arranging class or other garden related projects for our clients.

Computer Skills: Volunteers will support the Center’s computer service needs on-site at the Center. We also seek to develop computer-based training and other computer-related opportunities for our clients.

Exercise classes and basic hairdressing skills would also be of great help to our clients.

You can be part of the fight to prevent domestic violence and empower victims through your volunteer efforts. To be part of our volunteer program please contact Tracy at (401) 846-5263.