The longer you keep it to yourself........... the harder it is to make it go away.
Volunteer Opportunities
The mission of the DeKalbRapeCrisis Center is to provide support and follow-up services to survivors of sexual assault and their loved ones. To achieve this mission, staff partner with volunteers who are critical to our operation.
DRCC offers many rewarding volunteer opportunities. The majority of our volunteers help staff the 24-hour Crisis Hotline. Training is usually held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings for seven weeks in Decatur. Crisis line volunteers are required to complete 38 hours of training. Once trained, volunteers sign up for at least two 12-hour shifts monthly. While on call, volunteers may go about their regular routines as long as they are free to take calls or go to the hospital, if requested.
Crisis Line Volunteers save DRCC about $300 per day and provde critical services to survivors of sexual assault!
In addition to the Crisis Hotline, DRCC has several outreach opportunities and fundraising events that help educate and inform citizens about our services.
Crisis Hotline 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. All genders are strongly encouraged to become trained in crisis techniques to assist significant others, friends, family members, and all survivors of rape, sexual assault or abuse.
Hotline advocates also accompany survivors presenting at DeKalb Medical after an incidence of sexual assault or offense. In this role, volunteers provide emotional and practical support to survivors, their families or friends, the hospital staff and police investigators. The rape crisis volunteer 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.
Only Crisis Hotline volunteers must complete the application above.
Event & Office Volunteers Throughout the year, DRCC holds events to support our mission. In the fall, we present ‘A Night In Good Taste’, an evening event with music, food, wine and a silent/ live auction.In the spring, we host a 5K race and 1 mile fun run/walk on the Historic Agnes Scott campus. Twice a year, we hold a jewelry sale in the bandstand in Decatur.
All of our events rely heavily on volunteers. Support volunteers may work on a project-oriented basis or as a part of the office staff. Opportunities include program management (database management, committee coordination, assistance with data collection and program evaluation) and administrative support (answering phones, information gathering and dissemination, and recruitment).
Speaker's Bureau DeKalb Rape Crisis Center actively works to end sexual violence in our community. One approach DRCC takes is through educational programs. Our Speaker's Bureau reaches High School students as well as adult groups. Presentations 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 DRCC services. The Speaker’s Bureau is an educational opportunity to enhance presentations skills as well as learn about the root causes of sexual violence in an engaging and supportive environment.
DRCC recently thanked its volunteers at a BBQ held at the Mary Gay House in Decatur. Boar members, crisis hotline volunteers, special event and office volunteers were recognized for their service. Tali Olmi was the longest serving crisis hotline volunteer and Mickie Ferrante was the longest serving volunteer, having served on the hotline and as coordinator of the the bi-annual jewelry sale for over 15 years.
DRCC greatly appreciates its volunteers who contribute hundreds of hours towards the center's operation and fundraising. These volunteer hours save the center thousands of dollars each year.
DRCC wishes to thank the Junior League of DeKalb County for the use of the Mary Gay House.
Orientation is provided for all volunteers!
DeKalb Rape Crisis Center 404-377-1429 Office Page updated 2/5/13 204 Church Street 404-377-1428 Crisis Hotline Decatur, GA 30030 info@dekalbrapecrisiscenter.org
