Volunteer Opportunities

Our volunteer advocates are an essential part of our agency and provide year-round coverage to our 24/7 helpline and hospital accompaniment programs. We are looking for compassionate, personable, and dependable individuals who wish to develop their advocacy skills and actively participate in the recovery of survivors and their loved ones. If you are passionate about supporting survivors and being part of social change to end sexual violence, then this may be right for you! As a volunteer with CARE, you will have the opportunity to receive specialized training, meet new people, join a community of like-minded advocates, and attend presentations and workshops by community professionals throughout the year. Additionally, you will be able to take the skills and training from your volunteer experience with CARE out into your environment to continue to advocate against sexual violence and change the culture.

Volunteers will receive an initial 10-hour victim advocate training and will receive at least 6 hours of continued training throughout the year. All volunteers are provided with contact information to reach CARE staff members while on call. Staff and agency therapists are also readily available for debriefing and support after a call if needed. Quarterly volunteer meetings are a key opportunity to receive support and feedback from other volunteers and staff, as well. Finally, all volunteers will be provided with hard copy and web-based resources and information packets.

Volunteers are asked to make a one-year commitment to CARE. A minimum of 4 shifts a month is required. Volunteers sign up for shifts at the beginning of each month and have the opportunity to add additional shifts throughout the month. There are various shifts offered and the majority of available shifts are outside of typical office hours, on weekends, overnight, and on holidays. Helpline calls can vary in time but typically do not exceed an hour. Hospital accompaniments can be longer than helpline calls. Can I volunteer if I am a survivor? Yes! Many of our previous or current volunteers have experienced some degree of sexual violence, or know of loved ones who are survivors. This level of understanding can be a valuable asset to advocacy work. However, it is important that you have taken the necessary steps in your own healing in order to establish boundaries, access a support system if needed, and provide safe and effective support to others. Disclosure throughout the application process is not expected or necessary.

There will be opportunities to represent CARE and put your training to use by staffing booths and tables and community events, assisting staff with community presentations, assisting with fundraising activities, and occasionally assisting staff in the office with administrative work. If this sounds like something that you are interested in, please email volunteer@carehealingcenter.org or call our office at 410-857-0900.

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please complete and submit the application linked below. Once submitted, staff will review your application and follow up with you within 48 hours. If your application is approved, you will be asked to meet with the Sexual Violence Program Manager for a brief “interview” to confirm that you would be a good fit for this opportunity. Finally, you will be asked to pass a background check. If you have any questions, please reach out to  Dee Anne Weber, dweber@carehealingcenter.org.