Volunteer

As a DAIS volunteer, you’re in for a life-changing experience.

DAIS volunteers provide crucial, life-saving services to domestic violence survivors and their families. DAIS volunteers educate the public in meaningful ways. DAIS volunteers help us, step by step, create a better world.

Click below to learn about the many volunteer opportunities available, and let us know which feels right for you!

If you have any questions about the DAIS Volunteer Program, please contact the DAIS Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator at 251-1237, ext. 306.

Why Volunteers are Essential

Volunteers are essential at DAIS! Consider this:

  • DAIS relies on help from up to 150 direct service volunteers.
  • Volunteers provide more than 6,000 hours of direct service each year, and countless more hours helping to educate the community.
  • Without volunteers, many of our life-saving services would be impossible!

When you become a DAIS volunteer, you join a widespread, grassroots movement to eradicate violence against women (and men!). In the short-term, DAIS volunteers provide direct aid to adults and children fleeing violence; in the long-term, our volunteers work to build a society where all people can live their lives free of violence and fear.

Volunteers get a lot of training and support to do this work successfully – from a comprehensive volunteer training, to monthly volunteer in-services, to regular checking-in with DAIS staff.

To learn more about the DAIS Volunteer Program and how you can get involved, contact us today!

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Volunteer Opportunities

DAIS offers four types of volunteer opportunities:

  • Client-based: where volunteers work directly with DAIS clients.
  • Community-based: where volunteers work to engage and educate the public.
  • Administrative: where volunteers help in our business office.
  • One-Time Projects: where volunteers work for a short period of time—typically one day to one week—on a specific service project on-site (typically painting, yard work, etc.).

Read below or click on the links to learn more. Or download our Volunteer Application to apply!

Client-Based Volunteering

As a volunteer, you can work directly with victims in crisis and their children. These positions require volunteer training -- please see our Volunteer Requirements for a list of all requirements that apply.

The following Client-Based opportunities are available:

  • Crisis line: Volunteers are trained to answer the 24-hour DAIS Help Line. Calls from survivors, concerned family and friends, other health/service professionals, and staff from other organizations are typical.
  • Children’s Program: Children of all ages are involved in both structured and free play through the DAIS Children’s Program. Volunteers help lead group activities, as well as assist individual children.
  • Crisis Response: Volunteer advocates meet one-on-one with survivors to develop safety plans and assist with understanding and locating community resources.
  • Safe House: Volunteers help Shelter Advocates in meeting the daily living needs of residents.

Apply now (download)!

Community-Based Volunteering

Volunteers are instrumental in helping DAIS spread its message across the community. Community-based volunteers often have an interest in marketing, communications, education, community organizing, and/or nonprofit management.

Please see our Volunteer Requirements for a list of all requirements that apply to these positions.

The following Community-Based opportunities are available:

  • Community Awareness and Prevention Education (CAPE): CAPE Volunteers present education and prevention messages to school groups, community organizations, faith-based groups and others. Common topics include the warning signs of abuse, dating violence, and many more. CAPE Volunteers are trained in DAIS messages, and new CAPE Volunteers can shadow existing volunteers until they feel comfortable presenting on their own.
  • Marketing and Media (M&M): Marketing and Media Volunteers assist with DAIS-related event-planning, fundraising efforts and publicity. M&M Volunteers help plan the annual DAIS Fundraising Luncheon, staff tabling events at farmers’ markets and community fairs, distribute brochures and other outreach information, and help expand DAIS’ presence online and in the media.

Apply now (download)!

Administrative

Volunteers are essential in helping our organization run smoothly and efficiently. Administrative volunteers assist in the business office with projects such as filing, copying, mailing and other administrative tasks.

Apply now (download)!

One-Time Projects

One-time volunteer projects are perfect for service groups from schools, churches, businesses or other organizations. Do you have one afternoon, one day, or one weekend to offer to a good cause? We have projects waiting for you!

One-time projects typically involve working to help improve our facility – from weeding in the garden, to repainting rooms in the shelter, to helping us wrap donated holiday gifts for families experiencing domestic violence.

Please contact the DAIS Director of Services at 251-1237, ext. 308, if you’re interested in learning more about one-time service projects.

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Volunteer Requirements

Client-Based

Client-based volunteers are asked to commit to volunteering with us for a minimum of one year and must attend the comprehensive DAIS New Advocate Training. Training is typically offered during the early spring and early fall.

Please check the home page for a list of upcoming training dates, or contact the DAIS Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator at 251-1237, ext. 306.

In addition, Client-based volunteers are required to complete a Volunteer Application, submit to a criminal background check, and allow DAIS to contact references.

Community-Based

Community-based volunteers are not required to attend the New Advocate Training. However, we do ask that CAPE volunteers attend the semi-annual CAPE Training, and/or shadow current volunteers to become familiar with DAIS’ prevention and education messages.

In addition, Community-based volunteers are required to complete a Volunteer Application, submit to a criminal background check, and allow DAIS to contact references.

Everyone

All volunteers – client-based, community-based, and one-time projects – are required to complete confidentiality forms for the safety of the DAIS facilities and the protection of those we serve.

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