Resource Advocate for Survivors of Domestic Violence

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Description & Responsibilities

Under the guidance of a supervising advocate, resource advocates:

• Ensure all materials are up to date according to current best practices and research
• Update community resource lists for the benefit of our survivors and advocates
• Network with community organizations around current services, contacts, and opportunities
• Support the Advocacy & Prevention Department on an as-needed basis

Training is included and meets the California legal requirements to be certified as an advocate for domestic violence survivors (California Evidence Code Section §1037).

Why It Matters

Current research shows that, in the US, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men experience some form of abuse from an intimate partner. Domestic violence has a reciprocal relationship with other forms of abuse of power, such as racism, transphobia, and ableism, and it is the primary cause of homelessness among women. It impacts not only the well-being of an individual but also the family, the community, and society as a whole. Having advocates with the training and knowledge to evaluate local resources and engage with the latest research ensures that Walnut Avenue's services remain current and effective.

Benefits

• Understanding of domestic and gendered violence in both the personal and broader political contexts
• Skill development in crisis intervention
• Skill development in peer support, emotional support, healthy boundaries, and other interpersonal skills
• Being a safer, more effective ally for survivors both professionally and personally
• Knowledge of local family law processes
• Additional trainings and professional development opportunities offered by guest speakers at the monthly supervisory meetings
• Ability to work remotely
• Opportunity for academic credit, work experience, and other benefits for future educational or employment options
• Opportunities for networking with local nonprofits, organizations, and other agencies

Requirements

• Be 18 years or older
• Have not received domestic violence services as a participant with Walnut Avenue for a minimum of two years
• Attend a Walnut Avenue volunteer orientation
• Pass a fingerprinting/criminal background check
• Completion of the 40+ hour advocacy certification training (required by California law)
• Participation in our 24-hour hotline service
• Able to work independently as well as cooperatively
• Good interpersonal skills over the phone, in person, and networking
• Strong writing and research skills
• An email which is checked regularly
• Professional verbal and written communication with supervisor, staff, and members of the broader community
• Bilingual Spanish encouraged but not required

Time Commitment

• Commitment to 12 consecutive months of service
• One weekly shift on our hotline (9am-5pm or 5pm-9am), taken anywhere you have phone reception and the option for privacy
• One monthly professional development/supervisory meeting, attended in person (first Wednesdays, 5:30-7:30pm)
• Minimum one shift every two weeks with the option of working remotely

Associated Costs

• Certification training with commitment to 12 months: $50 materials fee
• Certification training without commitment to 12 months: $250
• Standard background check (required for all volunteers): $45
• Background check for volunteers also providing services for children and teens: $102, with option for reimbursement after 3 months of service

If cost is a barrier for you, please contact the community engagement coordinator to discuss your options without judgment at mcoffey@wafwc.org.

To Get Started

The first step is to attend a volunteer orientation at Walnut Avenue Family & Women’s Center, which happen about twice a month/every two weeks. To hear upcoming dates and times and to register for the one which works best for you, please call our office at (831) 426-3062. If you have any questions or concerns about this process, you may visit our site at www.wafwc.org or contact our community engagement coordinator, Marjorie Coffey (they/them), at mcoffey@wafwc.org.

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It is the policy of Walnut Avenue Family & Women’s Center to provide equal employment, volunteer opportunities and services to participants (EEO) to all persons regardless of ancestry, age, color, national origin, disability (physical and mental, includes HIV and AIDS), genetic information, race, religion (includes religious dress and grooming), gender, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and/or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, military or veteran, request for FMLA or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.