Volunteer Opportunities – We couldn’t do it without you!
Make a Difference, Get Involved!
YWCA volunteers are the heart and soul of our organization. We are committed to providing meaningful volunteer experiences, utilizing your skills and resources to complement our programs and services in a way that improves client services. We always need volunteers and we seek to align your passion with our work.
Current Volunteer Opportunities
Each year over 100 volunteers contribute 10,000 hours of services to the YWCA. Our volunteers serve at the Safe House, A Special Place Therapeutic Preschool, at Family Court, and at the Family Justice Center.
YWCA Sonoma County volunteers support all of our programs. Whether you like working with children, want to help a client leave an abusive home or support our administrative team, we need you! Click below to see our current volunteer opportunities.
Learn About Volunteer Training Here
This training qualifies participants to volunteer within our various programs and can be a great “DV 101” resource for those who work with the community.
AREAS OF VOLUNTEER SERVICE
Community Outreach: To build awareness of the mission of YWCA and to promote the YWCA brand.
- Greet event attendees, answer questions
- Collect donations as necessary
- Recruit other volunteers
- Help with event set up and cleanup
VIP Volunteer: A volunteer who utilizes their special skills and talents to assist the YWCA with special projects.
This volunteer opportunity is unique in that it is created based off of your special skills. Examples of special projects may include:
- Yard Maintenance
- Painting and facility upkeep
Court Accompaniment: Be a support person for individuals participating in Family Court appearances.
- Provide moral support to individuals going to court – often facing their abuser for the first time since leaving
- Informing individuals about court processes and some legal terminology to help them feel comfortable with what happens in court
- Be conscientious about safety and take precautions if the individual feels unsafe like speaking with the bailiff or timing arrival and departure to avoid confrontation
- There is an ongoing need for bilingual volunteers
Support Group Co-Facilitator: Provide services directly to clients through facilitating weekly support groups about the dynamics of domestic violence.
- Facilitate the YWCA’s domestic violence education support group once a week for 2 hours following specific YWCA curriculum only
- Provide resources and referral to clients as needed
- Collect client data, document hours and attendance, and give timesheets to the appropriate program manager
- Other administrative activities as needed
24-hour Hotline Volunteer: A crisis line providing support, information, and referrals for domestic violence, as well as interview for entry into other YWCA programs. This position includes:
- Answering calls for domestic violence support and offering YWCA services
- Collecting data and entering into a database
- Offering other staff support as needed
Family Advocacy: Learn direct case management skills in a domestic violence shelter including:
- Telephone advocacy and interviewing for programs and services
- Accompanying intakes
- Preparing rooms for new residents
- Preparing files and administrative tasks
- Resident data entry
Preschool Assistant: Work on-site with children attending the YWCA “A Special Place” Therapeutic Preschool to promote healthy social-emotional skills and model positive behavior. Volunteers will be given the opportunity to work with children in crisis and give them a positive environment in which to grow.
- Support staff during planned activities
- Help prepare meals and snacks for children as needed
- Assist with program events when necessary
- Participate in school chores and maintain learning environment
- Support staff with administrative tasks as needed