- A group opportunity. Invite your friends.
-
11 people are interested
24-Hour Crisis and Support Line Volunteers Needed!
ORGANIZATION: Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine
Please visit the new page to apply.
- A group opportunity. Invite your friends.
-
11 people are interested
Volunteer advocates are needed for SARSSM’s 24-hour Helpline serving York and Cumberland Counties. Volunteer advocates listen, provide emotional support, and offer resources. These volunteers also help survivors by accompanying them to the hospital or police station. Through this rewarding volunteer experience you can directly impact a person’s life in a positive way.
Benefits include:
- Volunteering right from your own home. Our answering services forwards calls directly to you
- Shifts scheduled in advance, making it easy to work into your schedule and plan your volunteering
- Meeting other volunteers dedicated to making a difference in their community
- Using your experience as a volunteer advocate to build your resume or add to your professional career
We Ask that Volunteer Advocates:
- Complete our agency’s comprehensive 40-hour advocate training program, "Help in Healing"
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Take one shift per week (7-9 hours), including at least one weekend shift a month
- Commit to serving as an advocate for at least a calendar year
- Attend at least 8 advocate meetings annually to connect with fellow advocates and SARSSM staff and receive additional professional development
- Sign a confidentiality statement and submit to a background check
- Have reliable transportation
3 Shifts
- 12:00 AM to 08:00 AM
- 08:00 AM to 05:00 PM
- 05:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- NONE OF THESE TIMES WORK FOR ME, BUT I CAN STILL HELP
More opportunities with Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine
No additional volunteer opportunities at this time.
About Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine
Location:
P.O. Box 1371, Portland, ME 04104, US
Mission Statement
Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine provides free services in York and Cumberland counties to anyone affected by sexual assault, sexual harassment, or sexual abuse, through prevention programs, support, education, and advocacy. We have been providing services since 1973.
Description
In 1973, Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine (f/k/a Rape Crisis Center, Inc.) began as a grassroots effort to advocate for victims of sexual assault after recognizing that there were little, if any, resources available to women who had been sexually assaulted. These efforts resulted in a network of survivors who volunteered to be available to provide support, advocacy and referrals to others. After incorporating in 1976, SARSSM opened an office in 1978. In the following year, a 24-hour hotline was established for those affected by sexual assault. Today, the hotline functions with trained volunteer advocates. In addition to telephone support, SARSSM advocates are available to provide in-person support to victim/survivor(s) at the hospital, police station and through the court process. Staying true to its mission, SARSSM has grown to be able to offer community education through its school-based programs, training for social service providers, educational programs for law enforcement and health care providers, and programs for local businesses. SARSSM is also the sponsor of the annual Take Back the Night March and Rally. SARSSM works closely with other community members to ensure a compassionate and effective response to sexual assault by sitting on community tasks forces and advisory councils, project collaboration with other agencies and organizing Sexual Assault Response Teams.
CAUSE AREAS
WHEN
WHERE
This is a Virtual Opportunity with no fixed address.
DATE POSTED
September 26, 2023
SKILLS
- Advocacy
- Child Advocacy
- People Skills
- Relationship Building
GOOD FOR
- Teens
- People 55+
- Group
REQUIREMENTS
- Driver's License Needed
- Background Check
- Must be at least 18
- Orientation or Training
- Must be able to commit to a 40-hour advocate training via Zoom (20 hours on video & 20 hours of "on your own time" work. We also ask that volunteers commit to 1 shift (7-9 hrs) p/week and 1 weekend shift p/month.
- We ask volunteers to be able to commit to a year on the helpline. We also understand that life gets in the way - people go on vacation, people get sick, and we are very flexible!