Volunteer
Current Volunteers
- January On Call Calendar (
PDF File, 30KB -- password protected) - Confidential Report Form ( PDF File, 72KB -- password protected)
- Resources ( PDF File, 286KB)
- Telephone Log Form ( PDF File, 28KB -- password protected)
- Sign up for Shifts
Volunteer Opportunities
Crisis Line Advocate
DRCC is committed to providing services to all DeKalb residents impacted by sexual assault. The majority of the contacts made with the Center are initiated through the 24-hour crisis hotline. There are a variety of call types that come into the crisis line. A sampling of the types of calls received includes survivors calling immediately post-rape, loved ones needing support and information or community members wanting general information. The volunteer’s role is to provide support to these callers using empathy, understanding, good listening skills and factual information. The Center uses only female volunteers to staff the crisis line (over 90% of our survivor calls are from women); however, men are encouraged to become trained in crisis techniques to assist both male survivors and male friends and family members on an as needed basis.
Hotline advocates also accompany survivors presenting at DeKalb Medical Center after an incidence of sexual assault or offense. In this role, counselors provide emotional and practical support to survivors, their families or friends, the hospital staff and police investigators. The rape crisis counselor is the advocate for the survivor in this setting. The goals are to return control to the survivor, to convey information and resources to the survivor and loved ones, and to act as liaison for the survivor with medical and law enforcement personnel.
Requirements / Expectations:
Persons interested in becoming crisis line volunteers must have certain basic communication and counseling skills. Although these will be developed in the training class, counselors must:
- Be able to communicate clearly and without being judgmental
- Have excellent listening skills
- Be able to manage his/her own emotions
- Be able to respect and maintain confidentiality
Other Requirements:
- Volunteers must complete 30 hour training series. This training is offered by the Center in the fall, winter, and spring of each year. No more than one session can be missed; any session missed must be made up through video and discussion with training coordinator.
- Volunteer will be expected to work at least two 12-hour shifts per month. Volunteer is contacted via beeper/cell phone. Volunteer can attend to regular acts of daily living; however, any call received must be the top priority for the volunteer (the volunteer must be able to respond to calls in a timely and confidential manner).
- Volunteer must be able to get to DeKalb Medical Center within 20 minutes of the initial call about a client’s arrival. Volunteer must provide own transportation.
- Volunteer can use agency-provided beeper, personal beeper or personal phone for responding to crisis line calls. If agency-provided beeper is used, volunteer is responsible for its pick-up and drop-off.
Volunteer Application ( PDF File, 17KB)
Applications may be returned to the Director of Volunteer Services via:
E-mail: Director of Volunteer Services
Fax: (404) 377-5644
Mail: 204 Church Street
Decatur, GA 30030
Speraker's Bureau Volunteer
More Information Soon
Dekalb Rape Crisis Center actively works to end sexual violence in it’s community. One approach DRCC takes is through its Speaker’s Bureau. A priority of the Speaker’s Bureau is presenting to middle and high school students in Dekalb County Schools. Presentations with youth cover a wide range of topics including Healthy Relationships, Gender Roles, Dating Violence, and Sexual Violence. Members also work together organizing events, giving presentations to community organizations, and disseminating literature about sexual violence and Dekalb Rape Crisis Center services. The Speaker’s Bureau is an opportunity to learn or enhance presentations skills as well as learn about the root causes of sexual violence in an engaging and supportive environment.
Requirements/Expectations:
Persons interested in becoming Speaker’s Bureau members must have certain skills. Although these will be developed in the training class, members must:
- Be comfortable discussing sensitive material in front of groups
- Posess ability to communicate clearly and assertively
- Be able to respect and maintain confidentiality
Other Requirements
- Volunteers are expected to attend monthly Speaker's Bureau meetings
- Participate in at least two Speaker’s bureau activities each month
- Make at least a 6 month commitment to the speaker’s bureau.
- Must copresent twice with a current Speaker’s Bureau member before presenting on their own.
- Volunteers must complete a 20 hour training series. This training is offered by the Center in the fall, winter, and spring of each year. No more than one session can be missed; any session missed must be made up through video and discussion with training coordinator.
Volunteer Application ( PDF File, 17KB)
Applications may be returned to the Director of Prevention via:
E-mail: Director of Prevention
Fax: (404) 377-1429
Mail: 204 Church Street
Decatur, GA 30030
Office Support Volunteer
Duties of DRCC's office volunteers are varied. The Center searches for ways in which the needs of the Center can be allied with the desires of the volunteer. Office volunteers may work on a project-oriented basis or as a part of the office staff. Some examples of possible office opportunities include program management (database management, committee coordination, assistance with data collection and program evaluation), administrative support (answering phones, information gathering and dissemination, and recruitment), and fundraising (event planning and coordination).
Requirements / Expectations:
All office volunteers must have completed a volunteer application. Crisis line training is not required, although all volunteers are encouraged to take the training as a means of learning more about the Center as well as DeKalb County's response to sexual assault. The administrative staff will provide orientation to the office. Office volunteers also must:
- Be able to communicate clearly and without being judgmental
- Have excellent interpersonal and listening skills
- Be able to manage his/her own emotions
- Be able to respect and maintain confidentiality
- Be comfortable with the telephone in an office setting
- Maintain a schedule with the volunteer coordinator/ and be as punctual as possible
Also desired:
- Computer literacy
- An ability to verbalize concerns or questions about assignments
- Being a self-starter
Volunteer Application ( PDF File, 17KB)
Applications may be returned to the Director of Volunteer Services via:
E-mail: Director of Volunteer Services
Fax: (404) 377-5644
Mail: 204 Church Street
Decatur, GA 30030
