Volunteer Opportunities

Thank you for considering a volunteer role with Safe Alliance. Our volunteers are a valued and integral part of the work that we do. These passionate, caring group of citizens change the lives of our clients through direct service to people in crisis, fundraising or administrative support, and truly we are grateful.

We have opportunities for individuals, social, and corporate groups to work in our Shelter, in our offices, in local hospitals, and at events. Whether you want to donate a couple of hours or take on a regular shift for the next year, we've got something to fit your needs.

Where to start? The first step is to decide which type of volunteer opportunity interests you, so please look at the many different ways you can help. Once you've identified a role, please fill out our volunteer application at the bottom of this page.

NOTE: For those roles that involve contact with clients, we complete a thorough application and criminal background check. Additionally, many roles require that volunteers be 18 or older, so please let us know if you're not 18 and we'll be sure to find the right fit for you.

Volunteer Options

The Clyde and Ethel Dickson Domestic Violence Shelter

The Clyde & Ethel Dickson Domestic Violence Shelter is located on a five-acre site in West Charlotte. It offers 80 beds and provides triage services in addition to longer-term care. We encourage you to participate in collection drives to assist our residents who are living at the domestic violence shelter.

Kitchen Help

We are looking for help in the kitchen to prepare, serve and clean up from meals. We serve three meals a day to our residents, so lots of teams are needed!  We can accommodate up to 4 volunteers in the kitchen per shift (no exceptions can be made). Lunch and dinner shifts are available every day, and brunch shifts are available on Saturdays. Please see the documents below for additional information. 

Kitchen Volunteers Guidelines & Expectations (pdf)
Relationship Agreement (pdf)
Volunteer Information (Group) (Microsoft Word)

Safe Alliance is a partner agency of Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina (SHFBM). SHFBM partners and distributes food and essential grocery items to approximately 550 hunger feeding agencies in 19 counties in North and South Carolina. Agencies served include emergency pantries, soup kitchens, senior programs, shelters, and low-income daycares.
 

Shelter Operations Volunteers

This team works throughout the Shelter taking on different duties as the needs arise: answering phones, greeting guests, sorting donations, delivering supplies to residents, performing general office work and light cleaning. Volunteers must commit to at least one three-hour shift per month (8-11 a.m., 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 2-5 p.m., 5-8 p.m.) and require a one-year commitment; of special need are volunteers who can be available during the work day. Complete the volunteer profile above and we'll be in touch.
 

Children's Volunteers

This team assures that children in our Shelter get the support they need. Specially trained volunteers, these caring individuals provide guidance to children living through troubled times. They act as babysitters, tutors, playground monitors and other roles. Volunteers must commit to two shifts per month and require a one year commitment; of special need are volunteers to provide care during weekday mornings (9 a.m.-2 p.m.), weekday evenings (6-8 p.m.) and Saturday mornings (1-3 p.m.). 
 

Activity Visits

Do you or your group want to bring supplies and people and host an activity for the residents? We'd love to have you! Up to ten people can come and offer crafts, Bingo, movie nights, etc. The ideas are limitless! 
 

Cleaning Crew

This team is responsible for basic custodial tasks in common areas, program rooms, and parking lot/grounds. Volunteers are needed Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Court Advocacy Program Mecklenburg/Uptown Charlotte

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 re-victimization of domestic violence survivors and assist with appropriate boundary setting, survivors must have been out of the relationship for a minimum of 3 years. If you are interested in becoming a court advocate, email the Victim Assistance Volunteer Coordinator. 

Sexual Trauma Resource Center, Mecklenburg County and Lake Norman

Rape Crisis Companion

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 Metro Charlotte 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.
 

General STRC Volunteer

Our General STRC Volunteers conduct the bulk of indirect service opportunities by:

• Assisting with clerical duties at either the Uptown Charlotte or Lake Norman office.
• Helping to greet clients, support advocates, and clinicians at both offices.
• Providing critical assistance to the STRC Volunteer Coordinator.
• Staffing special events and community education engagements (i.e. talks, tabling events).
• Providing artistic help for our new Expressive Arts Support Group.
• Helping with other periodic and long-term programs and initiatives.

All prospective general STRC volunteers must complete some basic training in HIPPA/client confidentiality, child endangerment recognition, and basic agency policies. Most of these training modules can be completed electronically. If you are interested, email the STRC Volunteer Coordinator.

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 more information.  

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. Length of commitment and hours of work vary according to your schedule. Learn more about becoming a speaker.

Mobile Volunteerism

You can help us by letting others know of our services. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and share our news with your friends, family and coworkers! 

Thank you for providing hope and solutions to people in crisis through your volunteer work with Safe Alliance. Please email Tenille Banner for additional information.

NOTE: At this time, we are not accepting intern applications, but we encourage you to find a volunteer opportunity above that would best fit your skill set.