Thank You for Your Interest in Volunteer Positions for the Chicago Rape Crisis Hotline

YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago Sexual Violence Support Services Rape Crisis Hotline and Parks-Francis Medical Advocacy Program

Volunteer opportunities: Volunteers on the Chicago Rape Crisis Hotline provide callers with crisis intervention, referrals to counseling, medical, and legal services, as well as general information about sexual assault. The Chicago Rape Crisis Hotline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Medical advocacy volunteers assist survivors while in the emergency room by providing support, crisis intervention and follow-up resources/referrals. We also need volunteers to help get the word out about our programs and volunteer opportunities. Outreach volunteers might help produce the crisis services newsletter, recruit new volunteers, participate in activist initiatives, and distribute information about our services and sexual assault in general. Internships are also available. Our policy is to only have women-identified folks do direct service with survivors (answering the hotline and medical advocacy), but we welcome people of all genders for outreach and education volunteer opportunities.

Training: All volunteers are asked to complete our 50+ Hour Sexual Assault Crisis Intervention Training that explores the emotional, medical, and legal aspects of sexual assault as well as the social and institutional impact of violence and oppression. It is essential for volunteers to attend all training sessions. If possible, we ask that volunteers make a $25 donation to cover the cost of the training binder.

Time Commitment: We ask that all volunteers commit to volunteering with the YWCA for at least one year upon completing training. Hotline volunteers are expected to take three four- hour long hotline shifts per month, for a total of 12 hours per month. Medical advocacy volunteers are expected to take two 12-hour long shifts per month, for a total of 24 hours per month.

Please return completed applications to: Jane Hereth, Volunteer Recruiter/Trainer YWCA Metropolitan Chicago 360 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 800 Chicago, Illinois 60601 p: 312.762.2714 f: 312.372.4673 Chicago Rape Crisis Hotline: 888-293-2080 [email protected] For office use only: Date app received____ Cont for interview____ Approved ____ Reference Checks____

YWCA Sexual Violence Support Services Volunteer Application

Name: Date of Birth: Address: Daytime phone: Evening phone: Email address: Gender: (please note that only women-identified folks can do direct service with survivors, but we welcome people of all genders for outreach and education volunteer positions)

What is your interest in volunteering for the Chicago Rape Crisis Hotline and / or Medical Advocacy?

Describe some of your life, educational, and/or work experiences that may be helpful to your work as a sexual assault counselor.

What qualities, expertise, or other skills do you have that may be helpful in your work with sexual assault survivors? What are your strongest assets?

Do you have previous volunteer experience?

How would you rate your familiarity with sexual assault? Slight ( ) Moderate ( ) Extensive ( )

Are you a survivor of sexual assault, domestic or dating violence, or child sexual abuse? (If yes, when did the abuse or assault occur? Have you sought counseling or other support services?)

Have you ever perpetrated any form of sexual abuse, harassment, or assault?

Are you fluent in any language other than English? If yes, what language?

It is important that our volunteers attend and are on time for all schedule training sessions and volunteer shifts. Do you anticipate any problems? What are they? Can you make a one-year commitment to volunteering with YWCA of Metropolitan Chicago’s Crisis Services?

How did you find out about us?

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?

REFERENCES Please list two (one professional, i.e. from a previous or current work/school/volunteer supervisor and one personal, i.e. from a friend or relative).

Name: Phone number: Email address: Relationship: Length of Time known:

I have read and understand the requirements for the sexual assault crisis intervention training. Name: Date: