If you are looking for a great way to give back to the community, consider volunteering at FRIENDS, Inc.! Each volunteer opportunity at FRIENDS, Inc. allows you to make a direct impact on individuals and families that have been impacted by violence.
We offer many volunteer opportunities for individuals and groups with varying time commitments. Whether you have a few hours to spare or would like to help on an ongoing basis, we will match your interest and availability to meet our needs.
Join Us as a Volunteer!
- Print and fill out FRIENDS, Inc.’s Volunteer Application
- Scan or photograph the application and submit them:
- Via email to outreach@friendswi.org;
- Via mail to P.O. Box 117 West Bend, WI 53095.; or
- Via Fax to 262-334-7725 – Attn: Outreach Specialist.
After our Outreach Specialist receives your application, they will follow-up with you to schedule training for your volunteer opportunity!
Types of Volunteer Opportunities
Overview:
As a SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner) Support Volunteer, you will provide compassionate and immediate emotional support to victims of sexual assault during their medical exam (SANE exam) and, when applicable, during the police report process. This crucial role ensures that victims have a trusted and caring advocate by their side during a traumatic time, offering comfort and resources.
Responsibilities:
- Emotional Support: Provide empathetic, non-judgmental emotional support to victims of sexual assault throughout their medical exam and police report process.
- Offer Essentials: Assist in providing basic needs such as food, water, and warm blankets to victims.
- Advocate for Victim: Observe interactions between victims and medical or law enforcement personnel. Speak up if the patient is not being treated respectfully or appears to need a break.
- Resource Sharing: Inform victims and their families about FRIENDS, Inc.’s services and other community resources available to them.
- Paperwork & Documentation: Complete intake paperwork during or after the response and ensure it is submitted to the Sexual Violence Advocate within 24 hours.
- Training: Attend any refresher training courses as required to maintain skills and stay informed on best practices.
Qualifications:
- Must be 18 years or older.
- Compassionate, reliable, and able to maintain confidentiality.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to advocate for others in stressful situations.
- Must complete FRIENDS, Inc.’s volunteer training program.
- Background Check Completion
Commitment:
- This is a 24/7 on-call position, and volunteers may be contacted at any time. Flexibility and availability to respond quickly are essential.
Support & Supervision:
Volunteers will report to the Sexual Violence Advocate at FRIENDS, Inc. and work in collaboration with hospital staff and law enforcement when necessary.
Training:
Volunteers will receive specialized training from FRIENDS, Inc. to prepare them for this role, including refresher courses as needed.
Training includes:
- FRIENDS, Inc. Onboarding Training
- FRIENDS, Inc. SANE Training
- Webinar: Power & Control Wheel
- Webinar: Confidentiality Basics
- Webinar: Domestic Violence Safety Planning
- Webinar: Keep Your Cup Full: Self-Care is Essential to Trauma Informed Advocacy
Total = 8 hours of training
Overview:
The Bi-Lingual Support Volunteer plays a critical role in supporting non-English speaking clients at FRIENDS, Inc. by providing interpretation services during client appointments. This role ensures effective communication between clients and English-speaking advocates, helping clients access vital services. Additionally, the volunteer may assist with translating agency documents to ensure that all necessary paperwork is available in multiple languages. While all languages are welcome, Spanish-speaking volunteers are especially encouraged to apply.
Responsibilities:
- Interpretation Services: Act as an interpreter during client appointments, accurately translating conversations between non-English speaking clients and English-speaking advocates.
- Document Translation: Assist in translating agency documents, ensuring FRIENDS, Inc. has up-to-date forms and resources available in appropriate languages.
- Confidentiality: Maintain strict confidentiality regarding all client information and discussions during interpretation sessions.
- Cultural Sensitivity: Provide support in a culturally sensitive and respectful manner, recognizing the diverse backgrounds and experiences of clients.
Qualifications:
- Proficiency in both English and at least one other language (Spanish preferred).
- Strong communication and interpretation skills.
- Ability to translate documents accurately and efficiently.
- Understanding of the sensitive nature of domestic and sexual violence services.
- Commitment to confidentiality and client privacy.
Commitment:
- Flexible hours based on scheduled client appointments and translation needs.
- Occasional remote translation work for agency documents.
Support & Supervision:
Volunteers will work closely with FRIENDS, Inc. advocates and staff, receiving guidance on specific appointment needs and document translation priorities.
Training:
Volunteers will receive training on agency services, interpretation protocols, and translation best practices to ensure they are fully prepared to support clients and staff.
- Webinar: Power & Control Wheel
- Webinar: Confidentiality Basics
- Webinar: Domestic Violence Safety Planning
- Webinar: Keep Your Cup Full: Self-Care is Essential to Trauma Informed Advocacy
- FRIENDS, Inc. Onboarding Training
Total Training Time: 5.5 Hours
Overview:
The 24/7 Crisis Line Support Volunteer provides vital emotional support and resources to individuals who contact FRIENDS, Inc.’s crisis hotline. This volunteer will answer incoming calls, complete hotline logs, conduct shelter assessments, and offer referrals to relevant community resources. Occasionally, the volunteer may also provide basic support to residents in the shelter program.
Responsibilities:
- Answer Crisis Hotline Calls: Provide immediate emotional support to callers experiencing domestic or sexual violence or those seeking information.
- Complete Hotline Logs: Accurately document each call by filling out hotline logs, including details of the conversation and actions taken.
- Conduct Shelter Assessments: Assess the needs of callers seeking shelter and provide information about availability and next steps.
- Provide Referrals: Offer referrals to appropriate community services, programs, or resources that meet the caller’s specific needs.
- Data Entry: Learn to use the Osnium database to input call data and document interactions appropriately.
- Occasional Shelter Support: Provide basic assistance or support to shelter residents, such as offering resources or referrals.
- Confidentiality: Maintain strict confidentiality regarding all client information shared during calls or shelter interactions.
Qualifications:
- Strong communication and listening skills, with the ability to offer empathetic and non-judgmental support.
- Comfortable handling sensitive information and emotionally charged situations.
- Ability to learn and use phone systems and client database (Osnium) for documenting calls and inputting data.
- Commitment to maintaining confidentiality and following crisis line protocols.
- Availability for on-call crisis line shifts (flexible based on volunteer availability).
- Complete Background Check
Commitment:
- Flexible schedule with the ability to cover shifts on a 24/7 on-call basis, depending on availability.
- Willingness to undergo required training and be responsive during on-call shifts.
Support & Supervision:
Volunteers will work closely with FRIENDS, Inc. Shelter Manager and other staff members, including crisis line supervisors, and will receive ongoing support as needed.
Training:
Volunteers will receive training on:
- Webinar: Power & Control Wheel
- Webinar: Confidentiality Basics
- Webinar: Domestic Violence Safety Planning
- Webinar: Keep Your Cup Full: Self-Care is Essential to Trauma Informed Advocacy
- Webinar: Crisis Counseling – Skills and Tools for Responding Effectively
- Phone System Training
- Osnium Training
- FRIENDS, Inc. Hotline Paperwork Training
- FRIENDS, Inc.’s Onboarding Training
Total Training Time: 12 hours
Overview:
The Childcare Support Volunteer provides supervised childcare for children whose parents are attending scheduled groups or individual appointments at FRIENDS, Inc. This service allows parents who cannot find or afford childcare to still receive the essential support they need. Volunteers will offer free play, both indoors and outdoors, as well as structured playtime with educational activities. Since some of these children may have experienced or witnessed violence, volunteers must be sensitive and report any important disclosures to staff immediately. All parents remain on-site during services, and volunteers are not expected to handle personal care tasks such as holding, changing, or transporting children.
Responsibilities:
- Childcare during Group Sessions: Supervise children during group sessions, typically held twice a month from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.
- Childcare for Individual Appointments: Provide care for children whose parents have scheduled individual appointments with FRIENDS, Inc.
- Activity Supervision:
- Free Play: Supervise free play in both indoor and outdoor play areas, ensuring a safe and engaging environment.
- Structured Play: Offer organized, age-appropriate activities, including some educational options.
- Safety & Reporting: Ensure the safety of all children in your care and report any disclosures or concerns of violence to staff immediately.
- Maintaining Boundaries: Volunteers are not expected to hold, hug, change, or transport children. All parents will be on-site in case of emergencies.
- Play Area Maintenance: If scheduled for childcare and no children are present, use the time to clean and maintain the play areas or create structured activities for future use.
Qualifications:
- Comfortable supervising and engaging with children of varying ages.
- Ability to create and implement fun and educational activities.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to handle sensitive situations.
- A patient, kind, and compassionate demeanor.
- Willingness to abide by FRIENDS, Inc.’s safety policies and procedures regarding child supervision.
- Complete Background Check
Commitment:
- Availability for evening group sessions twice a month (5:30 pm – 7:30 pm).
- Flexible hours for individual appointments, as needed.
- Commitment to scheduled shifts and advance notification in case of cancellation.
Support & Supervision:
Volunteers will receive guidance and oversight from FRIENDS, Inc. staff and the Outreach Specialist. In case of any concerns or questions, staff members will be present on-site.
Training:
Volunteers will undergo a brief orientation to familiarize themselves with FRIENDS, Inc.’s childcare policies, reporting procedures, and safety protocols.
- FRIENDS, Inc. Onboarding Training
- Meet and Greet with Children’s Advocate To Discuss Activities and Impacts of DV/SV on Youth
- Webinar: Adverse Childhoods Experiences (ACEs)
- Webinar: Preventing ACEs
- Webinar: Power & Control Wheel
- Webinar: Confidentiality Basics
- Webinar: Talking to Kids about Abuse
Total Training Time: 5.5 hours
Overview:
The Event Support Volunteer plays a crucial role in representing FRIENDS, Inc. at community events and supporting the organization’s outreach efforts. Volunteers help spread awareness about domestic and sexual violence, provide information on FRIENDS, Inc. services, and assist with the setup and promotion of agency events. As a community ambassador, you will directly engage with the public, encouraging donations and volunteering, and helping to connect those in need to FRIENDS, Inc.
Responsibilities:
- Community Outreach: Assist at tabling events, distributing informational sheets about domestic violence (DV) and sexual violence (SV), and educating the public on FRIENDS, Inc. services.
- Event Promotion: Promote FRIENDS, Inc. services and encourage community involvement through donations and volunteer opportunities.
- Event Setup & Support: Help with the setup and breakdown of event activities (e.g., arranging tables, setting up materials, managing signage).
- Support Outreach Specialist: Work alongside the Outreach Specialist to plan and execute events hosted by FRIENDS, Inc., including coordinating with community members and local organizations.
- Community Ambassador: Act as a representative of FRIENDS, Inc., positively engaging with the public and raising awareness about our mission and services.
- Materials Distribution: Provide informational flyers, brochures, and other materials at events, ensuring the community is well-informed about domestic and sexual violence resources.
Qualifications:
- Comfortable engaging with the public and answering questions about FRIENDS, Inc. and its services.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to stand for extended periods and assist with event setup (lifting and moving materials).
- Passionate about supporting individuals affected by domestic and sexual violence.
- Dependable and able to commit to event schedules.
- Complete Background Check
Commitment:
- Flexible schedule based on event dates and community outreach opportunities.
- Availability to attend events on weekdays, weekends, or evenings as needed.
Support & Supervision:
Volunteers will work closely with FRIENDS, Inc.’s Outreach Specialist and other staff members. They will receive guidance on the specific tasks and responsibilities for each event.
Training:
Volunteers will undergo an orientation to familiarize themselves with FRIENDS, Inc.’s services, community outreach methods, and best practices for event representation.
- Webinar: Power and Control Wheel
- Webinar: A Framework for Understanding the Community Determinants of Intimate Partner Violence
- Webinar: Domestic Violence Safety Planning
- FRIENDS, Inc. Onboarding Training
- FRIENDS, Inc. Elevator Speech and Event Preparation Training
Total Training Time: 5.5 Hours
Overview:
The Grocery Shopper Volunteer provides essential support by picking up pre-packed groceries from the Full Shelf Pantry in West Bend and delivering them to FRIENDS, Inc. This role ensures that our clients and their families have access to necessary food supplies. The pantry will handle the shopping based on a list submitted by FRIENDS, Inc. staff, and your role is to facilitate the timely pickup and delivery.
Responsibilities:
- Grocery Pickup: Collect pre-packed groceries from the Full Shelf Pantry in West Bend every Friday morning.
- Delivery: Transport groceries from the pantry to FRIENDS, Inc. and ensure safe handling of all items.
- Communication: Coordinate with FRIENDS, Inc. staff to confirm pickup details and delivery times.
- Timeliness: Ensure groceries are picked up and delivered promptly on Friday mornings.
Qualifications:
- Reliable and punctual.
- Access to transportation capable of carrying groceries.
- Ability to lift and carry bags or boxes of groceries.
- Strong communication skills for coordinating with pantry and FRIENDS, Inc. staff.
- Complete Background Check
Commitment:
- Available on Friday mornings for a weekly pickup and delivery.
- Able to commit to consistent and timely grocery transportation.
Support & Supervision:
Volunteers will receive guidance from FRIENDS, Inc. staff and will be provided with the necessary information for each pickup.
Training:
Volunteers will undergo a brief orientation to become familiar with the process and expectations of the grocery collection and delivery.
- Webinar: Power & Control Wheel
- Webinar: Confidentiality Basics
- FRIENDS, Inc. Onboarding Training
- FRIENDS, Inc. General Project and Task Overview
Total Training Time: 4 hours
Overview:
The Maintenance Support Volunteer assists with general upkeep, repairs, and outdoor maintenance to help keep FRIENDS, Inc. facilities clean, safe, and functional. Your contribution ensures that our facility provides a comfortable and well-maintained environment for clients, staff, and visitors.
Responsibilities (As Qualifications Apply):
- Basic Plumbing: Fix small leaks, unclog drains, or replace simple fixtures.
- Basic Electrical: Change light bulbs, replace fuses, and address minor electrical issues.
- Grounds Keeping:
- Watering Flowers: Keep plants hydrated and healthy.
- Weeding: Remove weeds from flower beds and common areas.
- Tree & Shrub Maintenance: Cut tree limbs and trim bushes as needed.
- Mowing & Yard Maintenance: Mow lawns, rake leaves, and maintain outdoor spaces.
- Snow Removal: Shoveling common walking areas for clients and staff (Parking Lot is Completed by Snow Removal Company)
- Furniture Assembly & Repair: Assist with assembling or repairing furniture as needed.
- Painting: Help with indoor or outdoor painting projects.
- Garbage & Item Removal: Remove unwanted items and garbage from the property and transport them to the dump.
- General Repairs: Perform small-scale repairs around the facility (tightening fixtures, fixing door hinges, etc.).
Qualifications:
- Ability to use tools and equipment (lawnmowers, trimmers, etc.) safely.
- Physically capable of lifting and carrying moderate to heavy items (furniture, trash, equipment).
- Familiarity with local dump or disposal processes is a plus.
- Strong work ethic and attention to detail.
- Background Check Completion
Commitment:
- Flexible hours depending on facility needs and volunteer availability.
- Ability to commit to scheduled tasks and complete them reliably.
Support & Supervision:
Volunteers will receive support and supervision from FRIENDS, Inc. staff, who will provide instructions for maintenance tasks and guide you through any specialized activities.
Training:
Volunteers will receive an orientation that includes safety protocols, facility guidelines, and instructions on using tools and equipment.
- Webinar: Power & Control Wheel
- Webinar: Confidentiality Basics
- FRIENDS, Inc. Onboarding Training
- FRIENDS, Inc. General Project and Task Overview
Total Training Time: 4 hours
Not seeing the type of opportunity that you would be interested in providing?
Connect with us! We would love to discuss how you can make a unique impact on survivors lives!
Click Here to visit FRIENDS, Inc.’s page on The Volunteer Center Of Washington County’s website to view additional details about our volunteer opportunities.
Questions? Contact us and ask for our Outreach Specialist at 262-334-7298 .
