In the constant fight to end domestic violence, a local force of volunteerism has welcomed the new year with open arms and open positions for potential trainees.
Womenspace is actively looking for women and men to volunteer for a variety of programs available to the community, including its crisis hotline. Starting this weekend, a winter volunteer training session will be held to provide interested participants with a foundation of new skills for working with clients. The required three-day session will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 11, 18 and 25, and will allow participants to have the option of earning academic credit for volunteering.
“Domestic violence is a significant problem in Eugene, Oregon, on campus and pretty much everywhere,” Womenspace Volunteer Program Coordinator Nancy Hafner said. The volunteer pool flows with the dedication and energy of men and women from age 18 to 75, with most falling into the 21 to 40 range, she said.
“We couldn’t provide even a fraction of the services we do without the volunteer efforts,” Hafner said.
The organization needs volunteers to serve as advocates for women and children, to work at the Domestic Violence Legal Clinic and to put hours into Youth and Community Outreach Programs. But Hafner said the crisis line, which needs to be staffed 24 hours a day, is one of the most important programs when it comes to volunteers.
“(The crisis line) is the first contact and sometimes the only contact a person may have with Womenspace,” she said. Hafner said one of the things she loves best is seeing how the compassion and understanding of volunteers can translate into growth for clients.
But not everyone who benefits from Womenspace programs calls for help.
According to Community Outreach Director Margo Schaefer, the importance of that “first contact” through the Womenspace programs goes beyond waiting for the community to make the first move.
“We really need people to participate in going into classrooms to teach dating violence prevention,” she said, referring to the Youth Outreach Program. “It’s important that boys hear this
message, and it would be nice if it came more often from men.”
Man-power aside, senior Sayaka Mimura has contributed plenty of woman-power to the organization through hard work and a love of working with people. Considering her interest in working within the Youth Outreach Program this year, that goes for little people, too.
“I’ve gained a lot of practical, real-world experience at Womenspace,” she said. “It’s a great opportunity.”
Mimura attended a three-day training with the organization during spring term. After learning more about domestic violence dynamics, definitions of gender and support skills for working with traumatized survivors, Mimura went on to participate in support services and even spent some time helping at the Advocacy Center later last year.
The feeling of being able to change someone else’s life for the better is what makes it all worthwhile for Schaefer.
“It makes me see that dominance and terror aren’t the only pathways gaining around the world,” she said.
For those interested students and community members who are unable to attend the trainings this month, an average of three volunteer trainings are held each year, Schaefer said, so there usually isn’t too long to wait. People who are “itching to help” or who do not prefer direct service work can always volunteer in the business office without attending the volunteer training, she said.
Womenspace is in urgent need of people who speak Spanish and who can maintain their volunteer commitment during the summer months. For registration information, call Nancy Hafner at 485-7262 or visit enddomesticviolence.com.
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