The world doesn't change without people who show up.
Forty volunteers carry a real share of this work — answering the crisis line at 2 a.m., sitting with kids in the playroom, driving a survivor to a custody hearing, sorting donations at the thrift store. Find a role that fits your life. We'll train you for it.
"You don't need lived experience or a social-work degree to volunteer here. You need to be reliable, trainable, and willing to listen without trying to fix."
Find a role that fits your life.
Some volunteers give two hours a month. Some give twenty. Both are real help. Browse what's open right now and tell us what catches your eye — or pick "not sure yet" on the form below.
Crisis line advocate
Answer our 24/7 hotline from home or the office. Most of the call is listening; we provide a structured workflow for resources, safety planning, and warm handoffs.
Children's playroom support
Be a steady, gentle adult in our shelter playroom — read, color, play games, give moms a break. Pre-screened volunteers only.
Court accompaniment
Sit beside survivors at protective-order, custody, and divorce hearings. We pair you with our legal advocates so you're never improvising alone.
Donation sorting & thrift store
Sort, price, and stock donations at our thrift store, or help our shelter intake when a new family arrives needing clothing and household goods.
Driver / transportation
Drive survivors to court, medical appointments, or the airport when they're relocating. You use your own car (mileage reimbursed).
Pro bono professional
Lawyers, accountants, IT pros, designers, photographers, contractors — we keep a roster of skilled volunteers and call when survivor cases need you.
Outreach speaker
Help us deliver community talks at libraries, parent groups, civic clubs. We give you the slides and a co-speaker. You bring presence and warmth.
Event & fundraising help
Set up our annual fundraiser, host a giving circle, run a workplace drive, table at a community event. Lower-commitment, higher-warmth roles.
From application to your first shift.
Most direct-service roles take about 60 days from "I want to volunteer" to your first solo shift. Lower-touch roles (thrift store, events) start within 1–2 weeks.
Apply
Fill out the form below. Takes 8 minutes. We respond within 5 business days.
Coffee chat
30-minute call with our volunteer coordinator. We figure out the right fit together.
Background & references
Standard for direct-service roles. We pay all fees. Two references, valid ID.
Training
Role-specific training. Crisis line is 40 hours over 6 weeks; lower-touch roles are 2–8 hours.
Shadow & solo
Three shadow shifts with an experienced volunteer or staff. Then your first solo. You're never thrown in.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
Pick the role that interests you, or "not sure yet." We'll respond within 5 business days with next steps. There's no commitment until after the coffee chat — and even then, you can step out at any point.
Survivors are warmly welcomed as volunteers. We do ask for at least one year of distance from acute crisis, for your wellbeing.
From volunteers who've stuck around.
"I thought I'd burn out. Three years in, I haven't. Mostly because the team won't let me — they check on me as much as on the survivors."
"My daughter learned my name from a stranger at school after I'd been gone for a week. I told that to my OSP coordinator and she didn't flinch. That's why I keep showing up."
"I sort donations on Saturdays. It is the most boring, most useful three hours of my week. I love it."
Before you apply.
Do I need lived experience to volunteer?
No. About a third of our volunteers are survivors and two thirds aren't. Both are essential. What matters more is reliability, trainability, and the ability to listen without trying to fix.
I'm a survivor. Should I wait?
Many survivors find volunteering deeply healing. We do ask for at least one year of distance from acute crisis — not as a gatekeeping move, but for your own wellbeing. Our coordinator will talk this through with you honestly.
Is there a minimum commitment?
For direct-service roles (crisis line, playroom, court accompaniment), six months minimum. The training investment is significant, and survivors deserve consistency. Lower-touch roles are flexible.
I don't have a car. Can I still volunteer?
Yes. Most of our roles are accessible by public transit, and the crisis line, pro bono, and event roles are remote or located near transit.
Will I have to share my own story?
Never. Some volunteers do, in trainings or with peers, but it's never required. You also won't be asked to disclose to survivors you support.
What's the time commitment for training?
Crisis line is 40 hours over 6 weeks (one weeknight + one Saturday). Children's program is 16 hours. Court accompaniment is 16 hours. Lower-touch roles are 2–8 hours. We work hard to make schedules fit working people's lives.