How to Volunteer for a Battered Women's Shelter

Volunteering at a domestic violence shelter requires time, empathy and knowledge about the issue of violence in the home.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Yellow Pages
• Telephones
• Personal Organizers

1. Think carefully about the services domestic violence shelters offer and decide if you would be comfortable volunteering in that situation.

2. Determine if you have time to volunteer. Consider all of your commitments and obligations.

3. Educate yourself about domestic violence. Read a book or take a class about the topic so that you understand what you will be facing.

4. Ask yourself if you have the ability to help people in need without judging them or criticizing them. People at domestic violence shelters are experiencing many stresses, dangers and problems. Their lives may not make sense to you.

5. Contact your local shelter. If you don't know where it is, call the Family Violence Prevention Fund at 1-800-799-SAFE (1-800-799-7233) for information on the shelter nearest you. You could also call the local YWCA, family court, police or social services department for information.

6. Talk to the staff at the shelter and schedule an interview. Realize that shelters must be very careful about whom they allow to volunteer. They must first and foremost protect the privacy and safety of the victims.

7. Know that you will be contacting and visiting only the business office of the shelter. The actual shelter location is kept secret.

8. Explain why you want to volunteer, what you would like to do and when you could be available. If you have any special skills, such as nursing, paralegal or counseling, be sure to bring them up.

9. Keep any information you are given about the location of the shelter or safe house a secret. You should not disclose this information to anyone because it could endanger the people staying there.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sincere when talking about your desire to volunteer. The staff must believe in you and trust you to let you volunteer.
• Be aware that in volunteering you may encounter situations that surprise or shock you. You may see evidence of physical or emotional violence and deal with people who are depressed, frightened or ill.

[eemaan]

on 9/15/2009 Wonderful article. I wish anyone willing to volunteer would try volunteering at a shelter.

[tazangel77]

on 1/11/2008 where and how cand I make donations to a battered womens shelter. I have moved from a large home to a studio apartment (due to spousal abuse) and I have so much stuff that would help someone who just grabtheir children and purse and has to start all over again. I live in Yorktown Heights, NY 10598 [e-mail]