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Volunteer

Domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault and elder abuse are endemic in our community and there are many people who truly desire to help those affected. But how can one person help?

The Family Justice Center of Stanislaus offers many services to those affected by domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault and elder abuse in one location, there are many ways that community members can become involved. Assisting the Family Justice Center of Stanislaus staff with administrative tasks, providing food and drink to the clients in the cafe, or helping in the Kids Zone, there are unlimited opportunities for volunteers.

How to Become a Volunteer

Volunteer / Intern Information

The goals of our volunteer/intern program at the Family Justice Center of Stanislaus are to match each volunteer with a fulfilling area of service and to provide volunteers with the training and support they need to assist those affected by trauma.

Some of the objectives of the volunteer program are:

• To provide current and frequent training to volunteers on issues of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, elder abuse and human trafficking.
• To provide a variety of tasks and opportunities for volunteers to support the work of the Family Justice Center of Stanislaus.
• To have volunteers available in the Family Justice Center of Stanislaus to provide a safe and comfortable environment for our clients.

Steps to Becoming a Volunteer

• Review the Description of Duties for Volunteers
• Complete the Volunteer Application, noting the area or areas for which you would like to volunteer and submit your application to the Family Justice Center of Stanislaus.
• When contacted, attend the interview with the Office Manager.
• If selected, complete the fingerprinting process
• Upon clearing the fingerprinting process, you will be provided the dates and times of volunteer training.

Thank you for volunteering!

Description
of Duties

The Volunteer Program of the Family Justice Center of Stanislaus utilizes several positions in its operations. We desire to match each volunteer’s interest to their volunteer assignment. Volunteers will work under the supervision of the Executive Assistant and/or the staff member to whom they may be assigned. Each volunteer will be trained and assigned to at least one position and may be asked to participate in a combination of assignments.

Volunteers will receive training on the dynamics of domestic violence, child abuse, elder abuse sexual assault and human trafficking as well as trauma informed care. Volunteers must also be fingerprinted and cleared by the Department of Justice for any arrest or conviction that would place the volunteer in conflict with our vision, mission and the safety of our clients. Some volunteer positions will be event-driven, some will only require the person to be present one hour per day, and some will require either one volunteer for the scheduled period of time or multiple volunteers for a lesser duration each. 

The following is a list of the volunteer positions, their duties and the time required:

Café Host/Hostess

This volunteer position will provide an inviting environment to our clients as they wait for their appointments or to their family members/friends who have accompanied the client to the Family Justice Center of Stanislaus. The host/hostess will offer food and drink to those waiting in the café and keep the café clean and orderly. This person will be responsible for rotating the food we receive from our partner, Save Mart each Monday to ensure that the oldest food is served first.

Kids Zone

This volunteer position will assist the staff member in the Kids Zone with activities for the children present in the Kids Zone. Activities could include games, art projects, providing snacks, or observing the children as they engage in play. These volunteers should have some experience in child care, and enjoy being around children, understand the basics of child development, and enjoy being creative.

Civil Legal Unit

This volunteer position will assist our Civil Legal staff attorney in preparing court documents for our clients to include Temporary Restraining Orders, Permanent Restraining Orders, Divorces, U Visas and other appropriate documents. This position may also interview clients and be required to provide research assistance to the staff attorney as necessary. This volunteer position may assist in interviewing clients and reviewing client’s statements prior to review by the staff or volunteer attorney. This position may also be requested to provide research assistance to the staff and/or volunteer attorney. It is not required that these volunteers have a paralegal certificate, but some experience in a law office would be preferred. The volunteers should be competent in speaking and writing the English language and be proficient in Word and the Internet.

Data Entry

The volunteer in this position will assist staff with data entry, preparation of monthly reports and other documents, other office duties and special projects. Volunteers will have the opportunity to learn about many aspects of our organization, gaining exposure to non-profit operations. Volunteers will also gain experience supporting office administration and data management under the mentorship of our staff.

Special Events

This position will assist the Family Justice Center of Stanislaus Board members and/or staff with special events such as an open house, fund raisers, and donor events.

Reception Desk

This volunteer position will assist at the reception area answering phone calls, screening visitors to the Family Justice Center of Stanislaus, and initiate the intake process during the lunch period or when the receptionist is out of the office.

Camp Counselors

The Family Justice Center of Stanislaus sends children to camp annually. Camp Counselors are needed for camps for one week in the summer. Camp Hope (a camp initiated by the Alliance for Hope International) offers children affected by domestic violence life enriching experiences to encourage hope, healing and trust. The Camp Hope experience can create a safe environment of healing to assist children and teens to overcome the barriers they face as abuse survivors to become successful young adults. All children going to Camp Hope learn they are not alone on their healing journey and that healing is possible. One mentor/advocate/friend can play a crucial role in enhancing protective factors, increasing resiliency, and giving children exposed to trauma and abuse the courage and strength to avoid repeating the vicious cycle of violence and abuse they have experienced.

CAIRE Navigator

This volunteer position greets the child who has a scheduled interview with the CAIRE Center at the reception desk and escorts the child and family to the Family Room and then escorts the child to the Interview Room. Volunteers in this position must be available consistently on at least one day of the week throughout the day. Contact will be made the day before the interview to inform the volunteer of the time of the interview.

Navigator Assistant

Volunteers would help the Navigator do follow up calls with clients regarding services. Volunteers would assist clients in completing documents for the Kids Zone (if applicable).