Volunteer with Womenspace
Womenspace has many ways to support the families in our community who need us.
Direct Service Volunteers work with adult or child clients on the phone, in person or both; on the hotline, at the Advocacy Center, shelter, Legal Clinic, support groups, LGTBQ or outreach offices.
Community and Administrative Volunteers work in our offices, doing events and outreach activities, with the Domestic Violence Council and special projects.
Direct Service Volunteers
All volunteers who want to work directly with clients attend our General Training, usually held three times a year. In addition, there are follow-up trainings for each service area selected by a volunteer, and seminars on general topics that are open to all volunteers and staff.
Direct Service Opportunities
Help Line
Staff our 24- hour phone lines at the Advocacy Center, the shelter or at home. Use crisis intervention and active listening skills to counsel, help problem-solve and give information referrals to battered adults, their friends and family or other service providers; educate callers on domestic violence and safety plans.
Advocacy Center
Assist adults and their children in person at the Advocacy Center by answering phones, completing client intakes, safety planning, and making referrals to other agencies and services, educating on domestic violence, help in filing restraining orders and occasionally accompanying clients to court.
Shelter Advocacy
Begins with tasks for smooth running of the shelter – cleaning, organizing, chores, errands, driving clients – and active listening, support and validation of adult and child clients. With experience, may lead to closer client work, advocacy and case work.
Children and Youth
Offer a safe space, creative activities, and healing presence for children who have witnessed or experienced trauma. Volunteers listen, encourage empowerment, and healing through play, art, and domestic violence education when appropriate. Youth Education Volunteers for middle and high school youth are weekly support group facilitators, and/or classroom presenters providing information and support on healthy relationships.
Legal Advocacy
For clients facing legal problems due to domestic violence at the Domestic Violence Legal Clinic (next to Legal Aid), a joint project of Womenspace, Legal Aid, UO Law School, and SASS. Work with student lawyers interviewing clients for contested restraining order or stalking issues, and accompanying clients to court, safety planning and community referrals.
Bilingual Advocates
Provide native language advocacy, interpretation and occasional appointment accompaniment for clients fro whom English is not their first language. Spanish speakers and translators especially encouraged.
Queer Alliance
Work with clients who’ve been abused by a same sex partner, as peer counselors, provide access to services, in support group and community education.
Rural Outreach
Offices in Junction City, Cottage Grove and Oakridge, with drop-in counseling, special projects or events, providing education materials, support groups, childcare for special events or support groups.
Support Groups
Facilitate community support groups for those who are or were in an abusive relationship. Six months of prior direct service is required without prior training or experience. Monthly coordinator debrief meetings.
Community and Administrative Opportunities
Community volunteers are welcome and encouraged to attend the general training, but it not required before volunteering
Front Desk
Administrative volunteers provide clerical support for the business office. Some previous experience with general office work is useful, but not essential. This is an excellent opportunity to learn new skills, polish old ones, and experience a busy office with supportive staff.
Community Events Team
Plan Womenspace’s outreach, including Domestic Violence Awareness Month, tabling at community events, and the annual volunteer training. The team is limited only by its resources, so new projects can be added as the team grows!
If you’re interested in staffing a table for general or specific types of events, please ask for your name to be added to the email event notification list.
Domestic Violence Council
An exciting collaboration including survivors, service providers, and agency staff. Volunteers may attend Council and committee meetings; provide administrative support; take part in projects like: court watch; legislative analysis for youth protective orders; curriculum creation for young men who batter.
Special Projects and Events
Community fundraisers, one-time projects and collaborations. If you have specific interests, skills, or time constraints, these are a great way to support Womenspace’s work. Opportunities are announced in the monthly volunteer newsletter or emails, so please let us know of your interest.
Maintenance Cluster
Handy with tools? Like landscape work? Once a year we “spring clean” the shelter and there are often projects both inside and outside the house. Let us know if you have a specific skill or talent you want to share.
Donations
Our generous community provides donations to brighten the situations of families who use our services. Help pick up and transport donations year round, but especially during November and December. You can also donate to Womenspace online, directly supporting our mission of eliminating domestic violence in Lane County and beyond. More info »
