This position staffs our 24/7 hotline and provides direct service to those affected by Intimate Partner Violence by providing emotional support, safety planning, and connection to services such as our emergency housing, housing retention, legal, or youth programs.
Responsibilities:
- Answer hotline, chatline, and emails: provide information, advocacy, support and referrals, and crisis management and intervention as needed.
- Maintain call records and record services provided in our electronic database.
- Commit to taking at least two 4.5 hour shifts a month.
- Foster a supportive community in the shelter by maintaining confidentiality and professionalism.
Training Requirements:
- Complete our 20-hour Community Advocate Training to obtain Vermont Victim and Crisis Worker Privilege before answering any hotline calls/chats/emails.
- Complete at least two shadow shifts and two reverse shadow shifts as well as training on our electronic database before taking a solo shift.
- Complete 3-hour mandated reporter training before answering any hotline calls/chats/emails.
Time Commitment
- 2 hotline shifts/month; 3-month minimum commitment to
- Shifts are available Monday-Friday between 9:00am and 5:00pm. Each shift is typically 4.5 hours long; however, if you are only able to do 2.5-3.5 hour shifts we still encourage you to reach out!
Next Steps
Register your interest here; complete a volunteer application at https://www.stepsvt.org/volunteer; or email izzyl@stepsvt.org to indicate your interest. We will help you register for Community Advocate Training, which is the first step in becoming a Volunteer Hotline Advocate.
