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Volunteer

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.

 

DAIS’ volunteer application process is currently closed while we onboard our current group of volunteers.

 

Please read the Covid-19 information to the right & learn about our volunteer opportunities below. If you are interested in supporting victims and survivors of domestic violence in Dane County by volunteering with DAIS, please complete this contact form. We will contact you when the application process is open again. Note: this application is best viewed in Chrome. 

 

CURRENT ONBOARDING SCHEDULE:

Both in-person sessions will be held at DAIS – 2102 Fordem Ave,

  • August 20 (Saturday) | 9:00am – 5:00pm *IN PERSON at DAIS*
  • August 23, 24, 25 (T, W, Th) | 6:00pm – 9:00pm *Virtual*
  • August 30,31 (T, W) | 6:00pm – 9:00pm *Virtual*
  • September 1 (Th) wrap-up | 6:00pm – 9:00pm “IN PERSON at DAIS*

 

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 will be set by the supervisors for each program and will take place after the general sessions are completed.

 

If you have any questions about volunteering, please contact volunteer@abuseintervention.org.

 

Volunteer Job Descriptions:

  • Court Watch: Court Watch Volunteers observe court hearings on Monday, Wednesday and/or Friday 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: Donations volunteers help receive, sort, organize and track in-kind donations vital to the operations of DAIS programs. Shifts are between 2-3 hours long and volunteers are asked to commit to one or two shifts per week. Note: this position is not required to attend the full 26-hour New Advocate Training, DAIS staff will discuss training with you.
  • 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 DAIS Help Line. Calls from survivors, concerned family and friends, other health/service professionals, and staff from other organizations are typical.
  • Volunteer Child & Youth Advocate: Children are involved in both structured and free play through the DAIS Children’s Program. Volunteers help lead group activities, as well as assist individual children. Minimum commitment of 1-year required.
  • 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. 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: Shelter Chefs must be able to work one shift per week on a Tuesday or Thursday from 4:30pm – 7:30pm. Kitchen training is required before client interactions occur.
  • Support Group Advocate: Support Group Advocates facilitate a weekly support group. DAIS support groups are drop-in community groups for women and men across Dane County. Advocates provide support, community referrals, and safety tips through facilitation of these groups. Advocates insure that groups begin and end on time and follow the outlined support group format. Support Group Advocates must adhere to confidentiality, Support Group policies and procedures, and the agency’s Code of Ethics. Commitment of 1.5 years required.

 

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with DAIS – we hope to work with you soon!

Important information about COVID-19 and Volunteering at DAIS:

 

To maintain safety and the health and wellbeing of everyone at DAIS, individuals volunteering within our building are asked to provide documentation confirming COVID-19 vaccination, or in the absence of vaccination documentation, provide a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of their volunteer service. If volunteering on a regular basis, testing for unvaccinated volunteers is required at a minimum of once per calendar week.