Our volunteers are integral to the operation of Victoria Women’s Transition House Society and are active in programs and services, administration and governance.
Volunteer opportunities include:
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 100 hours, which takes approximately one year to fulfill.
Volunteers who have completed 50 hours of volunteering with VWTH are eligible to be considered for Crisis Line training.
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 intimate partner violence relationships. These phone calls last anywhere from 10 minutes to one hour.
This comprehensive training involves attending eight to nine sessions that cover various topics such as Active Listening, Safety Planning, Family Law Issues, The Criminal Justice System and Assessment for VWTH Services. In addition to the in-depth information provided, volunteers learn by participating in numerous role-plays so they are prepared to deal with a wide range of calls on our Crisis Line.
Crisis Line Volunteers are required to work one four-hour shift each week, mostly on weekdays and evenings. Each volunteer is asked to take a regular weekly shift. We ask that each volunteer commit to at least 150 hours, which takes approximately one year to fulfill.
Individuals with a specific interest or skill set to offer are always welcome to work with our volunteer coordinator to develop a unique and meaningful role to contribute to our organization.
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.
More information is available HERE
You are a friendly, knowledgeable individual who enjoys talking passionately to the public about the Victoria Women’s Transition House – our programs and services. We need volunteers to periodically host VWTH info tables/booths at local events and conferences, to distribute information on VWTH and to listen to public inquiries and respond appropriately. You are comfortable speaking one-on-one and in small groups and are able to stand for periods of time.
Become a Volunteer
What we look for in great volunteers …
Please note that if you have been in an abusive relationship yourself, we request that you be out of this relationship for at least two years and have undergone personal counselling which focused on your abusive relationship.
Does this sound like you?
Please fill out our general volunteer application form.
APPLY NOW: Volunteer Application Form
DO YOU NEED HELP RIGHT NOW? 24 HOUR CRISIS LINE: 250.385.6611