Women’s Crisis Support Team & Talsunne House
Dedicated to Breaking the Cycle of Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault

Volunteers can help WCST and victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in numerous ways:

• Provide peer support, information, referral and advocacy for residents and their children.
• Support a resident in completing task, such as making appointments, locating housing etc.
• Participate in house maintenance (assisting clients in general house clean-up, cooking, and other needed household tasks)
• Show our residents how to play, relax, and pamper themselves.
• Have fun growing as an individual and helping to empower others.
• Listen.
• Interact with the children through play, games, crafts and reading stories etc.
• Participate in the children’s support groups.
• Help mothers to gain & implement parenting skills; parent mentoring.
• Coordinate with Children’s Program to plan organized games, groups, and new programs.
• Be nurturing and caring to both the moms and the kids.
• Laugh, play and giggle with the kids at every possible opportunity.
• Take families on special outings, host parties, participate in community outreach event

Children’s Volunteer.
Assists the Children’s Program Coordinator in meeting the needs of the children at Talsunne House.

Shelter Volunteer.
Functions in the same way as staff when staff is away or otherwise occupied.

Court Advocate Volunteer.
Advocates for Talsunne House clients at the Courthouse and through legal proceedings.
Accompanies a woman at the Courthouse as she goes through the restraining order process.
Is at the Courthouse during assigned shifts, and is available to answer questions about restraining orders, custody, mediation, divorce, etc. for women who may or may not become clients.
Transports women to the Courthouse from the shelter.
Offers emotional support and a hand to hold as they go through this difficult process.

Donations Volunteer.
Assists with the influx, distribution and organization of donations
Helps sort incoming donations.
Picks up large donations that are not at drop-off sites.
Helps in the distribution process.
Cleans & organizes storage shed.

Specialty Volunteer.
Helps out in any way in which she or he is skilled, or assists with tasks as needed.
Organizes and cleans. Folds linens, cleans cupboards and other necessary tasks.
Teaches classes...crocheting, quilting, art, finance etc.
Pampers the ladies...haircuts, manicures, whatever the specialty.

Crisis Line Volunteer.
Is available by home phone or cell and handles all WCST calls that come through the answering service during a scheduled shift.
Is a good listener.
Signs up for shifts on the Crisis Line with staff back-up: Weekdays 6pm to 8pm or weekends 6am to 6pm or 6pm to 6am (or shorter 6hour shifts) & holidays.
Relays phone messages to the shelter or staff back-up & provides peer support, information and referral services to the caller.
Contacts staff back-up if there is need for someone to respond to transport a client to the shelter.

Volunteer Training Schedule.
Please call Chris at (541) 479-9349 for more information.

Wednesday April 9th, 5:30pm to 8:30pm

Saturday April 12th, 9am to 2pm

Wednesday April 16th, 5:30pm to 8:30pm

Saturday April 19th, 9am to 2pm

Wednesday April 23rd, 5:30pm to 8:30pm

Saturday April 26th, 9am to 2pm

Wednesday April 30th, 5:30pm to 8:30pm

Saturday May 3rd, 9am to 2pm

Volunteer Requirements.
All volunteers must:
Complete WCST’’s 30-hour volunteer training.
Have the ability to work effectively with people in crisis.
Possess a willingness to learn & serve others.
Pass a criminal background check.

All volunteers work under the supervision of the Director, Volunteer Coordinator and an immediate supervisor. All volunteers are cross-trained and must adhere to professional and ethical standards just like paid staff.

For more information about becoming a WCST volunteer, contact volunteer@wcstjoco.org