Advocacy Support Volunteer Opportunities

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The Family Advocacy initiative provides much needed support to survivors of domestic violence and children at the Refugio (shelter) and in the community. There are a variety of ways that volunteers can support survivors of domestic violence and the organization. Here is a list of specific areas we need volunteer support:

• Help with childcare during support groups
• Answer the 24-hour Spanish-English crisis line
• Transport participants to important appointments (medical, professional, legal, etc.)
• Teach participants how to use the bus system in the metro area (passes/tokens provided)
• Help participants practice English or teach ESL (English as a Second Language)
• Teach participants hobbies or artisan crafts-knitting, jewelry making, etc.
• Lead physical activities for shelter residents (yoga, zumba, walking group, etc.)
• Lead children’s activities (story time, arts and crafts, music lessons, etc.)
• Donate supplies for events at the shelter (movie nights, paint nights, spa nights, etc.)
• Seek donations from businesses in the community (monetary donations, or new/gently used items-clothes, makeup, household items, etc.)
• Coordinate supply drives in the community for self-care kits or move-in kits for participants
• Deep cleaning, yard work, maintenance, etc. at the Refugio
• Help with sorting papers, resources, data entry, etc. in the shelter office
• Share and/or teach your talents with participants (music, concerts, crafts, etc.)

Feel free to contact us if you are interested in these or any other way you would like to contribute to the organization.

Job Site

While some volunteer activities take place in the community, many volunteers may spend time at El Refugio (shelter)-the address is confidential until a volunteer agreement is signed and background check is cleared. The Refugio is in St. Paul on a major bus line.

Time Commitment and Hours Preferred

• Minimum hours and time commitment vary depending on the interest area of the volunteer

Training Requirements

Family Advocacy volunteers works alongside and collaborate with advocates in the organization to provide much needed support to survivors and children. The volunteer will receive intensive training on site specific issues depending on volunteer abilities and interests. Training may include:

• Domestic Violence
• Refugio operations
• Answering Crisis calls
• Working with survivors and children
• Planning and leading activities in the Refugio

Qualifications

• Commitment to Casa de Esperanza’s mission, philosophy, and code of ethics.
• Ability to relate to people of diverse cultures, sexual orientations, income levels, ages, and abilities.
• Bilingual in Spanish and English preferred for activities involving direct contact with survivors.
• Experience working in/with the Latin@ community encouraged.
• Knowledge of, and ability to use computers and other resources is preferred.

Working Conditions

Casa de Esperanza strives for a fully inclusive work environment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, or marital status.

The above statements are not intended to encompass all functions and qualifications of this position; rather, they are offered to provide a general framework of the requirements of the position. Job incumbents may be required to perform other functions not specifically addressed in this job description.

Inquiries and applications

Please fill out the volunteer application at our website https://casadeesperanza.org/en/get-involved/volunteer/ . For questions, please contact volunteer@casadeesperanza.org