Volunteer Programs and Opportunities
Volunteers, integral to the operation of Victoria Women’s Transition House Society, are active in programs and services, administration and governance. Volunteer opportunities include:
Volunteer Program Brochure (.pdf)
In-House Volunteer Program
In-House Volunteers support the Shelter, residents and staff. Although In-House Volunteers do not provide counselling for residents and do not always interact directly with the residents, the tasks the volunteers perform support the Shelter in many ways. Volunteers can choose the tasks they would like to help with. Some tasks include housework, cooking, childcare, or sorting donations.
In-House Volunteers at Transition House work one three-hour shift each week. It is preferable that this shift be at a regular time each week, however, we do our best to accommodate everyone’s schedule. We ask that each volunteer commit to at least 150 hours, which takes approximately one year to fulfill.
Crisis Line Volunteer Program
Each year our Crisis Lines receive over 2,000 client related calls. Crisis Line Volunteers are relied upon by the Shelter counselling staff to share in the answering of crisis and client related phone calls. These volunteers respond to calls from women requesting emergency shelter, women needing support and information, as well as people concerned about family and friends living in abusive relationships. These phone calls last anywhere from 10 minutes to one hour.
Crisis Line Volunteers are required to work one four hour shift each week, mostly weekdays and evenings. Each volunteer is asked to take a regular weekly shift. We ask that each volunteer commit to at least 200 hours, which takes approximately one year to fulfill.
Community Office Volunteers
Our Community Office is our contact with the community; a place where people pick up information, drop off donations and do business with our agency. It also houses the Children Who Witness Abuse Program, the Stopping the Violence Program (women’s counselling), and the Older Women’s Outreach / Safe Home Program, all of which provide individual and group counselling to community members who may or may not have accessed our shelter services.
Community Office volunteers work as receptionists at the office, answering calls, greeting people, answering questions and being, in many cases, the initial contact for the agency. These volunteers also provide basic administrative support to other office staff. Experience in an office environment is an asset.
Special Service Volunteers
Some volunteers provide unique services on an ad hoc or one-time basis. Please discuss your particular skills or services with our Volunteer Program Coordinator to determine if you can make a special contribution at Transition House.
Board Volunteers
Our Board of Directors is comprised of up to 14 women. Each year the Board conducts a recruitment, interview and selection process to engage candidates for the Board. Board Members are elected at each Annual General Meeting in September and serve two-year terms.
Training
The Volunteer Training Program provides an opportunity to learn about the issues of abuse against women. All training programs explore the effects of abusive relationships on women and their children, the experiences of residents at Transition House and the roles of staff and volunteers. All training programs are interactive, combine theory with practice, and provide volunteers with tools needed on the job.
The Crisis Line Volunteer training, in particular, provides in-depth information about the issue of abuse and violence against women. Each Crisis Line Volunteer is expected to complete reading and homework assignments, including a final sound-recorded role-play with another participant.
In order to volunteer with Transition House, all potential volunteers are required to attend all training sessions for their program.
Other Information
If you meet the requirements listed above, are willing to make the commitment described and can attend the training program, please download and send in our volunteer application. The Volunteer Coordinator or her assistant will contact you to discuss your application further and/or to arrange for a personal interview. Applicants are interviewed and chosen based on suitability and the needs of the organization. If you are unable to attend the scheduled training session for your desired volunteer program, but would like to apply for future training sessions, please indicate your intent on your application form.
If you are interested in a different volunteer experience than what Transition House has to offer, please contact the Victoria Volunteer Bureau at (250) 386-2269 for volunteer options in Greater Victoria.
Victoria Women’s Transition House Society appreciates the compassion and interest that you show by applying to volunteer with us.
