Volunteer and Internship Opportunities

You CAN make a difference! Assist victims, work to make your community safer, or help support the work of the agency. Volunteers are essential to the success of our programs. Unpaid internships for academic credit are available for most volunteer opportunities.

Hotline Advocate

Provide confidential support, advocacy, options, and information to people calling the crisis hotline and coming into the Resource Center.

• Answer phones, assess caller needs and direct to appropriate staff
• Provide crisis support and information, on the phone or in-person at the Center
• Perform the initial telephone pre-screening for potential residents
• Collaborate with staff and other volunteer advocates
• Receive and direct visitors to the EBC Center
• Variety of shifts available Monday through Friday, 9AM-5PM
• Must be 18 years of age or older

Court Advocate

Provide confidential support, advocacy, options, and information to victims of domestic violence in the court system. Assist with the completion of court forms, safety planning, and referrals.

• Work with victims of domestic violence at the court to provide emotional support, referrals and information about the court process
• Assist victims in identifying appropriate court and in completion of required paperwork for protective orders.
• Provide support and information to victims over the phone.
• Interact with agency staff, court staff and other professionals involved in court cases.
• May be scheduled for regular weekly shift and/or be on-call for specific assignments.
• Must be 18 years of age or older

Senior Support Advocate

Provide support and information to older victims of domestic abuse as part of a specialized program where seniors assist other seniors.

• Provide support and information over the phone or in-person at the agency.
• Provide accompaniment to court proceedings.
• Check-in with older clients via telephone to assess needs, offer ongoing support.
• Variety of daytime shifts available. Some work could be done from home.
• Should be 50 years of age or older.

Residential Advocate

Provide support and assistance to residential staff. Provide advocacy to residents.

• Assist in residential activities
• Perform screenings and intakes
• Communicate with residents, individual and group advocacy
• Assist residents in personal responsibilities to achieve independence
• Answer phones and respond to requests for support and information
• Collaborate with the staff and other volunteer advocates
• Daytime, evening, and weekend shifts available.
• Must be 18 years of age or older

Child Care

Provide a safe, secure, loving and fun environment for children both at the shelter and for support groups. Children may range in age from newborn to teenagers.

• Plan age appropriate activities and play for the children.
• Give out snacks for the children.
• If needed, diaper or help children with the bathroom.
• Keep child care room clean.
• Assist Coordinator of Children’s Services with other duties.
• Daytime and evening schedules available.

Speakers’ Bureau

Provide outreach to communities served through attendance at health and community fairs and by fulfilling requests for informational speaking engagements.

• Attend health community fairs as a representative of EBCC.
• Set up an informational display and distribute program information
• Interact with fair participants and answer questions about domestic violence and agency services.

And/or

• Represent EBCC as a speaker at informational speaking engagements.
• Present an overview of EBCC services
• Distribute program materials
• Answer questions about domestic violence and agency services

Special Events Assistance

Volunteers are needed in a variety of functions to assist at special events that support the Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center.

All volunteer/intern positions require a screening interview, criminal background check, and successful completion of agency provided orientation and training.

For more information or application form, contact EBCC at 401-738-9700. You can also download an application form, fill it out, print it and then send it to:

Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center
Post Office Box 9476
Warwick, Rhode Island 02889