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- Volunteer -
- Online Volunteer Form
- Background Check Form pdf
Information for Prospective Volunteers
The Crisis Center began in 1970 as a hotline. Since that time, the agency has expanded services to include 24-hour phone crisis intervention counseling, walk-in counseling, suicide intervention and prevention, suicide survivors support group, information and referral, community education and training, food bank and emergency assistance. All Crisis Center services are free and confidential. The Crisis Center has eight paid staff members and over 200 volunteers.
Crisis Center volunteers are the core of our agency, providing the majority of direct services to our clients. Our volunteers come from all social, economic, ethnic and educational backgrounds. We have provided skills training to thousands of people – who in turn have helped thousands of people in our community. Everyone who wishes to become a volunteer must go through training, regardless of previous training or experience.
We are looking for volunteers who are non-judgmental, good listeners, warm and willing to learn. Training is an intensive experience that allows you an opportunity to learn more about yourself as well as learning the knowledge and information you need to work with our clients.
People contact the Crisis Center with a great variety of needs and situations. All clients and contacts are kept strictly confidential.
The process for volunteering at the Crisis Center begins with an application and criminal background check. The application and background check form are available on this website or by contacting the Crisis Center. We conduct three formal trainings each year, so if one does not work in your schedule, maybe the next training schedule will be better.
Food Bank and Emergency Assistance Program
Training focuses on basic listening skills and policies and procedures of the program. It also offers an in-depth view of the Crisis Center philosophy and an introduction to special societal problems.
Following training, volunteers are on probation for their first shift period of six weeks. Volunteers work one three-hour shift per week. We ask for a minimum commitment of six months. In-service training sessions are provided on a regular basis; volunteers must attend at least one in-service every six months.
Crisis Intervention Program
Training focuses on counseling skills, policies and procedures of the program, as well as on many other topics, such as depression, suicide, AIDS, sexuality, domestic violence, etc. Training is provided free of charge, with only a small fee for training manuals. A group screening process is held prior to each training session, and screening is also available by appointment in our office. Prospective volunteers should bring a completed application with them at the time of the screening.
Following the initial training, volunteers have on-the-job training for their first shift period of six weeks. During this time they work with a mentor, an experienced volunteer. Volunteers work one three-hour shift per week. We ask for a commitment of nine months. In-service training sessions are also provided on a variety of topics. Volunteers must attend one in-service training session every six months.
Project Volunteer Opportunities
Throughout the year, the Crisis Center holds various events for which we will need volunteers. Examples of our events are the Annual Crisis Center Pancake Breakfast, Thanksgiving in July, Project Holiday, etc. There are also special projects where we need short-term volunteers and volunteer groups. The volunteer experience can be shaped to meet your talents, interests, and schedule. We have opportunities that require less training and flexible scheduling. Contact the Crisis Center to discuss some of those opportunities.
