Children's Program at Domestic Violence Shelter

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Volunteer Position: Children’s Program Volunteer
Purpose of Position: Help create a fun, safe environment for children to build healthy relationships and explore ideas and feelings about themselves and other through play.

Volunteer benefits:

• Contributing to a community effort to eliminate violence in the home
• Opportunity to focus on helping children understand and cope with the effects of domestic violence
• Increased understanding of domestic violence and its surrounding issues
• Opportunity to contribute to the improvement of the lives of others and your community
• Opportunity to learn about different cultures and socio-economic backgrounds
• Hands-on experience with the working model of a shelter
• Active volunteers may obtain reference and/or recommendation letters

Principle Responsibilities and Duties:

• Conduct free-play activities with children during group time and assist in the leadership of the educational group, including the participation in educational board games and art activities for children over the age of three
• Serve as an example of nonviolent/alternative discipline, caring interaction and respect as you provide quality supervision of children
• Advise staff of any pertinent disclosures or problem behaviors
• Assist with snack preparation and cleanup
• Submission of Volunteer Timesheet after each shift
• Ensure confidentiality at all times
• Contact staff at least 24 hours in advance if unable to make a group
• Other duties as negotiated

Qualifications and characteristics:

• Successful completion of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault training and 4 hours of advocacy training for working with children who have witnessed domestic violence
• Ability to work as a team-member in a culturally diverse communal living setting
• Strong interest in preschool and school age children
• Willingness to work with children who may have developmental or behavioral challenges
• Maintain a supportive, empowering and non-judgmental attitude with victims of domestic violence
• Ability to work with minimal supervision
• Willingness to accept supervision and guidance
• Must be friendly, patient and possess good verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to initiate and supervise age-appropriate activities with children of various ages
• Willingness to attend volunteer meetings and continuing education programs
• Dependable, prompt and mature