Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our agency. The Portland Women's Crisis Line could not operate its programs without the support of dedicated volunteers. Individuals do not need to have prior experience in order to volunteer with the Portland Women's Crisis Line. Training is provided for all volunteers through the agency. The Portland Women's Crisis Line works collaboratively with universities and colleges to provide intership experiences for college credit.

Volunteers may choose to provide direct services as Advocates, or they can help with Community Outreach, serve on the Board of Directors or on the Fundraising Committee.

Direct Service Advocates

You may choose to work as a Crisis Line Advocate or as a Sexual Assault Advocate, or both. However, there are separate training requirements.

All agency volunteers are expected to commit to a minimum of 6 months, 1 year is preferred.

Crisis Line Advocate

• Provide crisis intervention, information, and referrals on the 24-hour domestic violence hotline.
• Requires Basic Advocacy Training.
• Must be 18 or older.
• Location: at crisis line office (confidential location)
• Shifts: varies, you choose the times that work best for you.
• Time Commitment: a minimum of 12 hours a month.

You can print out and e-mail or post a Volunteer Application Form.

Sexual Assault Advocate

• Provide crisis intervention, information and referrals, medical and legal advocacy to victims/survivors of sexual assault and rape. Advocates are able to respond in person to hospitals to provide support during the forensic exam, and can accompany survivors to any meetings they may have with law enforcement/prosecution and court hearings.
• Requires Sexual Assault Advocacy Training.
• Must 18 or older.
• Location: Multnomah County.
• Shifts: 6am-6pm and 6pm-6am.
• Time Commitment: work a minimum of 2 shifts a month, and 1 year commitment to sexual assault program.
• Requirement: criminal back ground check, to be reviewed on an individual basis

Sexual Assault Advocate Position Description

Community Outreach

• Help to represent PWCL in the community (i.e., tabling and community education fairs, etc.) and provide much needed information about the services that PWCL provides.
• Provide education to community groups on issues related to domestic and sexual violence.

Board of Directors

Board members are elected for either one or two year terms. The Board of Directors typically meets once a month for approximately two hours. Board members are also required to participate on board committees. The total time commitment varies dependent on the member's availability (elected officials: the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer generally put in more hours than do other members).

Fundraising Committee

The time commitment for the FC is approximately 5 hours/month. The FC typically meets one to two times a month for approximately 1 hour at a time, arranged by the members. Contacts via e-mail/phone and individual work may also occur. Additional time may be necessary during special events.

The FC plans and coordinates fundraising activities such as:

• the annual mail solicitation
• special events and other activities as agreed upon by the committee

email:
business phone: (503) 232-9751 | fax: (503) 234-3749
P.O. Box 42610, Portland, OR 97242