YWCA Stepping Stones is seeking volunteers. Volunteers attend a free 40-hour training program, scheduled to take place Tuesdays and Thursdays, February 4-27 from 6-9 p.m. and Saturdays, February 8 and 29 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
The training program covers types of sexual violence, rape trauma syndrome, crisis intervention techniques, listening/communication skills, medical and legal advocacy, psychology of sexual violence and information about community partners providing different levels of assistance to survivors.
“Being a frontline service volunteer is the heart of our program,” said Jen Golliday, Stepping Stones Advocacy Coordinator. “Volunteers are there to answer the phone when someone is in crisis or be the person in the community talking about the great services YWCA Stepping Stones provides. We couldn’t do it without them.”
After the training, volunteers will be qualified in a variety of areas, including taking hotline calls; providing prevention education on anti-bullying, sexual violence, healthy relationships, privilege and oppressions, and more for McLean County schools, businesses, or groups; provide support at public events; data entry and other office work; translating outreach materials; or interpreting during counseling and advocacy sessions.
The YWCA Stepping Stones crisis hotline is 309-556-7000. All contact is free and confidential and is available 24-hours for anyone who has experienced sexual assault or abuse and stalking.
To become a crisis intervention volunteer, individuals must fill out an application and schedule a pre-screening interview prior to training. No previous experience is required.
Volunteer applications are available at YWCA McLean County, 1201 N. Hershey Road, Bloomington, or on the YWCA website: www.ywcamclean.org. Please submit completed applications or questions to Jen Golliday at (309) 585-3618 or jgolliday@ywcamclean.org.
