Volunteer
DAIS volunteers provide crucial, life-saving services to domestic violence survivors and their families. Your time and compassion will go a long way in providing support to those impacted by domestic violence in Dane County.
Our application process is currently closed while we onboard our current group of volunteers.
If you are interested in supporting victims and survivors of domestic violence in Dane County, please complete our Contact Form. We will contact you when our application process is open again. Note: this form is best viewed in Chrome.
*Donations, Gardening and Reception/Front Desk Volunteer positions can start at any time.
AUGUST ONBOARDING TRAINING SCHEDULE:
*Both in-person sessions will be held at DAIS – 2102 Fordem Ave., Madison, WI
- August 19 (Saturday) | 9:00am – 5:00pm *IN PERSON*
- August 22, 23, 24 (T, W, Th) | 6:00pm – 9:00pm *Virtual*
- August 29, 30 (T, W) | 6:00pm – 9:00pm *Virtual*
- August 31 (Th) wrap-up | 6:00pm – 9:00pm “IN PERSON*
Volunteer
General New Advocate Training (NAT) Guidelines:
To volunteer with clients at DAIS, attendance for the full 26-hour New Advocate Training is required, as well as additional training sessions with your program-specific supervisor. Program-specific training schedules are set by the supervisors for each program and will take place after the general sessions are completed. Dates are listed within the application.
If you have any questions about volunteering, please contact volunteer@abuseintervention.org.
Volunteer Job Descriptions:
- Children’s Advocate: Children are involved in both structured activities and free play through the DAIS Parent and Child Advocacy Program. Volunteers help lead group activities, as well as assist individual children. Volunteers must be able to commit to one 2-hour shift per week for a minimum of 1 year. Most shifts are weekday evenings, M-TH from 6:15pm – 8:15pm. Daytime and weekday hours may be available based on programming.
- Court Watch: Court Watch Volunteers observe court hearings on Wednesday mornings, 8:00am – 12:00pm. Volunteers must be able to commit to one 4-hour shift per week for a minimum of 6 months. Shifts take place at the courthouse downtown.
- Donation Room Volunteer: Our Donations program is currently full.
- Gardening Volunteer: Do you love to garden? DAIS needs volunteers to help keep our green spaces, flower beds, courtyard play area and serenity path weed free and beautiful for everyone. Please consider sharing your love and talent with DAIS! Note: this position is not required to attend the full 26-hour New Advocate Training, DAIS staff will discuss training with you.
- Help Line Advocate: Volunteers are trained to answer the 24-hour Help Line and Text Line. Calls and texts from survivors, concerned family and friends, other health/service professionals, and staff from other organizations are typical. Volunteers must commit to at least one 3-4 hour shift per week for a minimum of 6 months. Hours are available from 8am-12am
- Reception/Front Desk: Be the first friendly face our visitors and clients see when they come to DAIS. Offer a warm welcome and address general reception tasks. Available shifts are 4 hours (Monday – Friday), must be able to commit to one (or more) 4-hour shift per week. Minimum commitment of 3-months required.
- Shelter Chef: Volunteer Chefs work together to cook and serve dinner once a week to shelter clients and families in the DAIS Kitchen and Shelter, in addition to dishes and clean-up after dinner.
- Support Group Advocate: Our Support Group program is currently full.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with DAIS – we hope to work with you soon!