Medical Advocacy Volunteer Requirements
Requirements:
- Complete 60-hour Sexual Assault Crisis Intervention training.
- Complete a federal criminal background check (fingerprinting) at an Accurate Biometrics facility at no cost to the volunteer. Please note that the outcome of this background check may implicate your ability to volunteer with our center. If you have questions about this, please connect with us.
- Complete a background check with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. Please note that the outcome of this background check may implicate your ability to volunteer with our center. If you have questions about this, please connect with us.
- Commit to completing 288 hours on-call during a 12-month period or less, with a minimum requirement of completing 24 hours on-call per month. On-call shifts are 1am-7am, 7am-1pm, 1pm-7pm, or 7pm-1am daily. You will have the flexibility to choose your own shifts both during the week and on weekends.
- Attend quarterly supervision by meeting with the Advocacy Volunteer Supervisor, attending Volunteer Support Group, or attending a volunteer meeting/training. Support groups are offered monthly, trainings are offered at least quarterly, and supervision with the Advocacy Volunteer Supervisor can be scheduled at any time.
- Access to email, internet and a reliable phone.
- Advocates must demonstrate a non-judgmental, supportive attitude toward survivors of sexual violence. Strong interpersonal/communication skills and a focus on empathy are essential.
- Advocates must be committed to the philosophy of our organization: anti-violence, anti-oppression, intersectional feminism, and the empowerment of all survivors of sexual violence.
How will I know if this is the right time for me to volunteer at Resilience?
- If you identify as a survivor, it is important that you have processed your experience through counseling and/or other methods and do not feel a sense of crisis in your daily life. We recognize that healing is often a lifelong process. Typically, we ask that prospective advocates who are survivors wait at least one year since experiencing sexual violence before volunteering. If applicable, it is required that advocates wait at least one year since they have stopped receiving services from Resilience or another rape crisis center before volunteering.
- You are not currently struggling with substance use or self-harm.
- You have a strong support system in place and can identify those who would be supportive of your volunteer experience with a rape crisis center.
- If you are unsure about volunteering, you are always welcome to apply, attend an orientation session, and make your decision with the support of staff who can answer your questions.
