Make a difference for survivors of abuse: Join our team of HAVEN Volunteer Advocates! Training starts Sept. 2024

Looking to make a difference in the lives of those individuals and families affected by sexual & domestic violence and stalking? Join our team of trained HAVEN Advocates! 

HAVEN, formerly known as A Safe Place and SASS, is one of the largest violence prevention and support services crisis agency in the state. HAVEN is dedicated to addressing public health through violence prevention and improving the well-being of children and families. Preventing abuse and providing support for those impacted by domestic and sexual violence can lead to healthier and more secure children and adults. 

With an extensive service area, the agency relies on a team of dedicated staff and volunteers to who work in all capacities to support it's mission to end violence and change lives.

As a volunteer advocate, you will serve as a confidential source of support and information for those affected by sexual and domestic violence through our 24-hour hotline. In addition, advocates accompany survivors to the hospital directly after an assault has occurred or to the police station to report a crime.

If you wish to become a client services advocate, you are required to complete a 35-hour training that will prepare you to provide crisis counseling, support and advocacy. Through training, you will learn how to actively listen to clients’ needs, appropriately support them in a time of crisis and connect them with the resources that can best meet their needs. You will also be trained to help identify and examine the options that a survivor has at each of the different stages of healing.

You are not required to have any previous training in crisis work, only a strong desire to help those in need of services and a positive attitude. People of all walks of life encouraged to apply! 

Volunteers are “on-call” from their homes on nights and weekends, and are required to cover at least 3 hotline shifts per month for a minimum of one year.

There are 3 advocacy trainings per year: January, June, and September.

Upcoming Volunteer Advocate Training will be held Sept. 2024. 

• The Advocate Training will be a combination of a self-paced 16-20 hours of course work through a rich, engaging, interactive virtual training platform and one weekend of an in-person intensive practicum, which is mandatory.
• We ask that trainees complete the virtual portions of the training prior to the weekend intensive. Trainees will have several weeks to complete this prior to the in-person portion.
• Location of the in-person intensive weekend is to be determined.
• The in-person portion will take place on Sept. 7 & 8. (9 AM-5 PM both days).

For more information on volunteering and to formally apply with HAVEN:  https://havennh.org/get-involved/volunteer-opportunities/