Shelter Support Advocate

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Summary of Responsibilities of Shelter Support Advocate:

• Provide crisis intervention and counseling via the agency hotline.
• Provide assistance in emergency shelter.
• Meet regularly with Volunteer Coordinator to provide updated information regarding hotline work, cross-over procedures, challenges to be addressed, and other issues relevant to the direct service needs of participants.
• Keep the Volunteer Coordinator informed of any situations which might require special attention.
• Keep statistical data and records of volunteer time and participants as required.

Volunteer Qualifications:

• Willingness to volunteer time to work with victims of domestic violence.
• Demonstrate knowledge of domestic violence and a strong commitment to ending violence against women.
• Demonstrate commitment to feminist philosophy and the ability to use the empowerment counseling model.
• Demonstrate ability to apply DVI mission in practice.
• Demonstrate effective crisis intervention and counseling skills, and the ability to facilitate groups.
• Demonstrate ability to act as an advocate on behalf of clients with a working knowledge of the legal and social service systems (if appropriate).
• Demonstrate ability to develop professional, caring relationships with program participants and function as part of a team with co-volunteers and agency staff.
• Demonstrate ability to work well with people of various ethnic, racial, and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Demonstrate ability to communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Must complete the training program of DVI.
• Willingness to work and travel alone.
• Willingness to work when assigned to weekend and holiday shifts.
• Pass clearances as prescribed by law.

Training Requirements:

• 40-hour victim advocate training (part online, part in person)
• 5-hour shelter practicum (shadowing program)
• 3-hour online Mandated Child Abuse Reporting training

**All trainings are provided for free by DVI**