Volunteer Opportunities

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Safe Alliance! Volunteers play a critical role in helping us fulfill all of our clients' needs. We're excited to know that so many of you want to give back and support survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Follow these steps to become a Safe Alliance volunteer:

Steps to Become a Safe Alliance Volunteer

Fill out the Volunteer Application below.
Complete a phone interview. A quick phone interview will help us determine that you are a good fit and which program you are best suited for.
Complete a background check. Our clients are dealing with very private and sensitive matters, so it's imperative that we protect their confidentiality and ensure our volunteers are outstanding citizens from our community. Complete your background check and pay the required $10 processing fee. Need assistance? Download instructions (pdf). (NOTE: If you're unable to cover the initial cost of your background check, email Tenille Banner.
Attend Victim Services 101. VS 101 is an introductory training that provides insight into Safe Alliance's programs and services; domestic violence; sexual assault; client-centered/trauma-informed care; and best practices. (NOTE: There are additional training requirements depending on the program you choose.) Once your background check is completed, sign up to attend the next VS 101 session convenient for you. Sessions are offered on a monthly basis on alternative Fridays and Saturdays. Sign up today.
Connect with program coordinator. After completing VS 101, you will be connected with the coordinator for your approved program area. The coordinator will guide you through any additional required training and provide training for specific duties.

Questions? Email Tenille Banner, Director of Volunteer Relations.

Clyde & Ethel Dickson Domestic Violence Shelter

The Clyde & Ethel Dickson Domestic Violence Shelter offers 80 beds and provides triage services in addition to longer-term care. We encourage you to participate in collection drives (pdf) to assist our shelter residents. We have volunteer opportunities in these areas:

Kitchen: Prepare, serve, and clean up after meals (3 per day). Kitchen capacity is 4 volunteers per shift.
Children's Volunteers: Assure children in our shelter receive necessary support.
Activity Visits: Bring supplies + people and host activities for residents. Up to 10 people.
Custodial: Assists with grounds beautification in addition to basic custodial tasks.

Victim Assistance Court Program

Advocates accompany survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault to civil and criminal court in order to provide moral support and information. Requires daytime availability.

Qualifications: Ability to relate to and advocate for a variety of clients; ability to grasp the complexities of the civil and criminal courtroom situation; ability to maintain an appropriately supportive and informative role throughout court proceedings; ability to provide own transportation; ability to actively listen and support while allowing decisions to be made by client. Requirements include accurate completion of application and background check. The courtroom environment is extremely intense and can be disturbing. To prevent revictimization of domestic violence survivors and assist with appropriate boundary setting, survivors must have been out of the relationship for a minimum of 2 years.

Sexual Trauma Resource Center - Mecklenburg County

Rape Crisis Companions form the principal component of our rape crisis response service by:

Staffing our Greater Charlotte Hope Line, available to Mecklenburg County residents 24/7.
Providing emergency hospital accompaniment to survivors at Mecklenburg County hospitals.
Providing crisis intervention, advocacy, and information/referrals to our clients.
Helping members of staff with community engagement and education efforts.

Qualifications: Ability to listen and communicate with empathy and to maintain non-judgmental attitude. Availability of a telephone and transportation to area hospitals.

Volunteers are always needed for administration support duties, including greeting and checking in clients as well as assisting with admin support.

NOTE: All general STRC volunteers must complete some basic training in HIPAA/client confidentiality, child endangerment recognition, and basic agency policies.

Legal Representation Program

We are always seeking assistance from attorneys interested in providing pro-bono representation for domestic violence victims applying for 50B Domestic Violence Protective Orders. Email Laura Lawrence, Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel, for details.

Speakers Bureau Mecklenburg County

Has domestic violence or sexual assault touched your life? Do you want to raise awareness of these issues and help others in the process? Consider our Speakers' Bureau. In collaboration with Mecklenburg County Community Support Services, we recruit, train, and schedule speakers who share their life experiences with groups in our community. Learn more about becoming a speaker.