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.

Spring 2012 Volunteer Training Program Brochure

Here are ways you can volunteer.

• Special Project Volunteer
• Direct Service Volunteer
• Crisis Response Team Volunteer
• Become a Mentor to Clients
• Friends Fundrasing Committee Volunteer

Special Project Volunteers

(DV101 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.

Children's Activities Service (CAS): Assit the Children's Program volunteers in providing recreational activities for child victims of domestic violence on weekday evenings. (fingerprinting required)

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. A shift in the Children's Program is two hours and a weekly commitment is expected.

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.

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 and ongoing trainings, 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 to meet victims and provide them support. Additionally, individual supervision is provided to the advocates within 24 hours of their call.

Become a Mentor to Clients

♦ Work one-on-one with a JBWS client for 12 months as she transitions out of JBWS’s Transitional Living Program and into her own home.

♦ Provide support, friendship and guidance. Help a client set and achieve goals that will further her independence and help her self-confidence grow.

♦ Develop a strong relationship with a JBWS client that will not only influence her, her family, and her future, but you as well. Volunteers often report on the positive effects mentoring has on their personal lives, including improved communication skills and goal achievement. 

♦ Meet on a schedule mutually agreed upon between you and the client.

♦ Receive supervision and support from JBWS staff around your mentoring experiences.

♦ Become an important part of a woman’s life as she makes a significant transition. Make a difference!

Potential mentors must have already completed the JBWS 40-hour volunteer training and have been volunteering at JBWS for at least 6 months. In addition, mentors must participate in a 2-day, 6 hour training that focuses exclusively on mentoring. For more information on upcoming training, please contact Talya Lyon at 973-267-7520 x 215 or tlyon@jbws.org.

Friend's Fundraising Committee

Do you enjoy being part of a group? Brainstorming ideas? Event planning? Being creative and crafty? How about raising awareness and funds for a great cause?

If you answered "yes," then come join the JBWS Friends Fundraising Committee as they plan their future events!

The Friends Fundraising Committee was created to raise awareness and engage the broader community about the issues surrounding domestic violence. The dynamic and dedicated group of volunteers and staff aim to create visibility within the community through events on an affordable scale. In the past year and a half, the group has hosted two Coffee House events, a textile drive, and has helped with numerous other successful events to support the agency. Meetings are held the first Wednesday of the month from 6:30-8:30pm.

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.