Volunteer

Volunteers provide valuable services toward accomplishing the mission of JBWS. Each year, more than 120 JBWS volunteers contribute over 10,000 hours of services. Here are some of the ways you can volunteer.

Special Project Volunteers
There are many ways to volunteer your time and talents without working directly with clients. Some of these activities require a consistent commitment from volunteers; others are once or twice per year.

Administrative: Help with mailings, filing, data entry, door coverage, and more.

Fundraising: Create or participate in a fundraising event to benefit victims of abuse. Learn More

Donations: Pick up, deliver and sort donations; staff the donation line from home or work

Facilities: Stock and organize supplies; pick up of supplies; inventory, and more

Special Project Volunteers are required to attend a 3-hour training course that provides an overview of domestic violence and services offered by JBWS.

Direct Service Volunteers
After completing the 40-hour training course, volunteers have the opportunity to work one 4-hour shift per week in either the helpline or children's program (based on their preference and schedule). An overall commitment of one year is expected.

Helpline: The Helpline is a 24/7 support line to victims, their families and others looking for support and information about domestic violence. Our volunteers staff the line in 4-hour shifts between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. and answer calls on a variety of issues and questions. Volunteers are there to listen and make appropriate referrals to JBWS staff or to resources in the community.

While staffing the Helpline, volunteers help with a variety of tasks, including transportation, preparing rooms for new clients, and special project office work.

Children's Program: Our children's program provides a structured and supervised environment for children whose mothers are currently residing in one of our residential facilities or are attending an in-house group.

The number of children will vary from week-to-week, as will the age groups. There is one volunteer for every four children and there are usually at least two volunteers working a shift. Children's Program volunteers provide recreational activities that are age appropriate and assist children in the development of interpersonal skills and improve their ability to identify and express their feelings. Volunteers help model appropriate adult/child interaction.

These volunteer activities generally take place at one of the JBWS facilities in the late afternoon or early evening hours.

Becoming a Direct Service Volunteer
After an initial application and interview process, volunteers can participate in a 40-hour training course to enable them to work directly with clients. During the training, volunteers will learn more about domestic violence and options available for victims; meet the staff to learn about JBWS; and develop skills for assisting victims.

At periodic meetings, volunteers connect with each other and the staff to learn the most recent information on domestic violence and JBWS services, practice new skills and gain support and guidance.

Crisis Response Team Volunteer
Teams are composed of trained citizen advocates who serve as volunteers of their local police departments. Under the program, officers who investigate domestic violence calls offer victims the opportunity to speak with an advocate. Crisis Response Team members assist victims of domestic violence by providing emotional support, information on domestic violence and laws, referrals to social service agencies, access to shelter, assist with application for a temporary restraining order and help with safety planning.

All volunteers go through a screening process followed by a 40-hour training program by JBWS. Upon successful completion, volunteers are on-call to their assigned police departments for approximately six 12-hour shifts per month. Additionally, individual supervision is provided to the advocates within 24 hours of their call.

To begin the process for becoming a volunteer in any capacity, complete the Volunteer Interest Form and send it to the Volunteer Manager volunteer@jbws.org or fax to 973.455.0830

For more information about volunteer opportunities and training dates, call 973-267-7520 Ext. 129.