Volunteer Job Descriptions

Helpline ADVOCATE

"The most rewarding part of being on the helpline for me is being there to listen.  I’ve found that many of the callers are looking for someone to listen without judgment and validate their feelings.  I’m happy to be able to provide that support and potentially be a catalyst for change in their lives."  

-Volunteer Helpline Advocate

Qualifications: 

  • Must be sensitive to the issues of intimate partner and family violence and abuse towards all genders and all ages.

  • Must be 18 years of age or older

  • Must have the ability to work with individuals in a non-judgmental and supportive way. It is preferred that volunteers have an awareness of the social/political aspects of violence and feminist principles. 

  • Must have reliable transportation and telephone.  

  • Commitment to covering scheduled shifts.  

  • Successful completion of Caring Unlimited’s Comprehensive Advocacy, Intervention, Response and Ethics Training Course (CAIRET Course – 44 hours of instruction) before providing direct service. Ability to pass criminal, motor vehicle and DHHS background checks (paid for by Caring Unlimited) and provide documentation of adequate automobile liability insurance.

Reports to: Helpline/Volunteer Coordinator

Duties and Responsibilities: 

  • Return calls passed to you by the answering service within 10 minutes during your shift. 

  • Respond to caller with appropriate support and information. 

  • Provide shelter intakes, including completion of intake paperwork, for survivor and children when needed during shift. 

  • Seek information and support from staff backup during the shift as appropriate.  

  • Complete required call records and submit to office in a timely manner. 

  • Commit to one year of service on the hotline and complete a minimum of two shifts per month.

Helpline Shifts:

Weekday Shifts (Mon–Fri):  Weekday shifts during business hours are generally covered by paid staff.

  • Mornings 9am to 1pm

  • Afternoons 1pm to 5pm

  • Overnights 5pm to 9am next morning

Weekend Shifts (Sat or Sun):

  • 9am to 5pm

  • 5pm to 9am

Caring Unlimited Provides:

  • Comprehensive Advocacy, Intervention, Response and Ethics Training Course (CAIRET 44 hrs)

  • Staff person for backup during all shifts

  • Support and contact on a monthly basis by the Helpline/ Volunteer Coordinator

  • Additional in-service trainings throughout the year (staff & volunteers are required to attend at least two in-service trainings each year)

  • Reimbursement for phone calls and mileage

It is ESSENTIAL that the helpline be answered at all times. If you become unable to fulfill your scheduled helpline shift, it is important that you find a replacement from the call list and notify the Helpline/ Volunteer Coordinator right away.

Kidcare volunteer

Fill out the volunteer application to speak with our volunteer coordinator about this position.

Qualifications: 

  • Sensitivity to issues of violence and abuse toward women and children.

  • Willingness to interact positively with children from a variety of social backgrounds.

  • Ability to model appropriate behavior and communication.

  • Become familiar with and uphold the policies and procedures of Caring Unlimited.

  • Demonstrate ability to establish supportive and caring one-to-one relationships with children.

  • Successfully complete three to six hours of Kidcare Volunteer training. 

  • Maintain open communication with support group facilitators/supervisors.

  • Be able to pass background check. Minimum age requirement is 16 yrs.

Supervisor: Outreach Services Coordinator and Support Group Facilitators

Duties and Responsibilities: Kidcare Volunteers will provide meaningful child care and supervision for children of various ages ranging from infancy to adolescence. Meaningful child care includes providing nurturing, esteem-building activities along with sensitive, non-judgmental listening. Child care must always be safe and supportive for all participating children and must be based upon awareness of the impact abusers have on children. Kidcare Volunteers provide supervision and support for children whose parents are involved in any of Caring Unlimited services.

Hours: After training Kidcare Volunteers are asked to commit to a minimum of up to two hours twice a month for one year. Generally, Kidcare Volunteers arrive on site 15 minutes before group to set up and greet children and stay 15 minutes after group to clean up. Child care is provided at various Caring Unlimited sites throughout York County. Day and evening hours available.

It is ESSENTIAL that child care is provided for all groups, therefore, if you are unable to fulfill your scheduled child care shift, it is important that you find a replacement from the Kidcare Volunteer list and notify the Outreach Services Coordinator.

Support Group Facilitator

Qualifications: 

  • Strong communication and listening skills.  

  • Understanding of—and willingness to learn about—the dynamics of domestic abuse.  

  • Supportiveness and honesty.  

  • Ability to use and mirror inclusive language.  

  • Self-awareness (facilitators’ mood and energy affect group dynamics).  

  • Cultural competence.

Reports to: Outreach Services Coordinator and Volunteer Program Coordinator

Duties and Responsibilities: Volunteer Facilitators will co-facilitate Caring Unlimited's virtual support group. Caring Unlimited support groups are free, confidential, and open to survivors of abuse in intimate relationships. Volunteer Facilitators will co-facilitate with Caring Unlimited staff.  During groups facilitators will link stories to each other and to the larger picture. Identify themes in survivor’s lives.  Keep the group moving, ensuring equitable use of group time. Confront and deal with challenging situations/behaviors.

Caring Unlimited Support Groups currently meet virtually.

After training Volunteer Facilitators are asked to make a 6 month commitment to the group they have agreed to co-facilitate.