Types of Volunteer Activities

Crisis Line Cluster
Crisis line volunteers staff our 24- hour phone lines at the Center, the shelter or at home. Volunteers use crisis intervention and active listening skills to counsel, help problem-solve and give information referrals to women, their friends and family or other service providers. Volunteers educate callers on the aspects of domestic violence and safety plans.

Advocacy Cluster
Advocates assist women and their children at the Womenspace Center. Volunteers answer phones, complete intakes on clients, assist in preparing safety plans, and make referrals to other agencies and services in the community. Volunteers also educate clients on domestic violence, help in filing restraining orders and occasionally accompany women to court.


Children’s Cluster
Children’s Advocates give children positive attention through on-site play activities or field trips. Volunteers offer support to the children by listening to their feelings and concerns. Children’s workers also help by providing educational activities for the children. Children’s Advocates do intakes and outakes with some of the older children as they enter and leave the shelter.

Rural Outreach Cluster
There are opportunities to work with the Rural Outreach offices in Junction City, Cottage Grove and Oakridge. Volunteers participate in the development and coordination of services in their community. Tasks can include:

• Being available for drop-in counseling during advocacy hours
• Working on special projects or events
• Providing materials and educational information locally
• Coordinating or facilitating support groups
• Providing child care for special events or support groups.

Legal Advocacy Cluster
Volunteers work as advocates for women facing legal problems due to domestic violence. This program is centered at the Domestic Violence Legal Clinic next to Legal Aid. The clinic is a joint project of Womenspace, Legal Aid, the University of Oregon law School, and SASS. Advocates work with student lawyers doing client interviews for contested restraining orders or stalking issues and accompany women to court. They also help with safety plans and community referrals.

Additional Clusters

Counseling Cluster
Counseling volunteers are responsible for facilitating the community and in-house support groups. There is a group for women who are currently or recently in abusive relationships and one for shelter residents. Six months of direct service volunteer work is required prior to training for facilitation. Counselors meet monthly with the counseling coordinator to debrief and discuss the groups.

Community Education Cluster
Womenspace has an active community education component, providing over two hundred presentations annually throughout Lane County. The Youth Outreach program operates under this program. Six months of direct service and additional training is required prior to working in schools or presenting at service clubs, religious organizations or social service organizations. Volunteers also assist in facilitation of the Teen Girl’s Chat Group. The group is for young women from homes where domestic violence was an issue or who are or have been involved in abusive relationships.

Community Events Cluster
As part of our efforts to educate and create awareness about domestic violence in the community, as well as to recruit volunteers and for fundraising, Womenspace participates in community events. If you are interested in representing Womenspace at public events, the Volunteer Coordinator posts a list of events you can sign up for.

Lesbian Alliance Cluster
Lesbian Alliance Advocates work with clients who have been in abusive situations with other women. Volunteers work as peer counselors, provide support and access to services for lesbian clients. A support group and community education work are part of the program. A volunteer can belong to this group in addition to another.

Behind the Scenes
If you like organizing and setting up special events then the following areas are for you! No specific training is required.

Board of Directors
The Womenspace Board of Directors is responsible for setting policy, overseeing finances and doing fundraising. Motivated, forward-looking individuals are encouraged to volunteer.

Administrative Volunteers
Administrative volunteers provide clerical support for the business office. Some previous experience with general office work is useful, but not essential. This is an excellent opportunity to learn new skills, polish old ones, and experience a busy office with supportive staff.

Maintenance
Are you handy with tools? Do you like landscape work? Once a year we “spring clean” the shelter plus there are always ongoing projects both inside and outside the house. Let us know if you have a specific skill or talent you want to share.