Volunteers & Interns
December, 2024: We are pausing our internship & volunteer programs for this coming semester while we train new staff. We look forward to reopening these programs in Fall 2025.
Volunteers
It was a group of volunteers who founded Safe Voices (then the Abused Women’s Advocacy Project) in 1977. And it is volunteers who make our work possible today.
Volunteers: Complete your monthly timesheet online
We are proud of and grateful for the work volunteers do to advance our mission and the work to end domestic violence.
Safe Voices seeks volunteers to cover shifts on our 24-hour Helpline. This is the only volunteer position being offered at this time.
Helpline volunteers are there to listen and support individuals experiencing or affected by domestic violence. The Helpline is often the first point of contact a victim or survivor has with our services. Volunteers are trained by Safe Voices staff to provide advocacy and empower others.
The Training
All prospective volunteers will be required to complete Safe Voices’ advocacy training known as CAIRET: Comprehensive Advocacy, Intervention Response and Ethics Training. This training equips volunteers with the necessary skills to support callers on our 24-hour Helpline.
All material is approached with a social justice lens that emphasizes empowerment, collaboration, and inclusion. The CAIRET is offered throughout the year, with exact dates being released at least four weeks before training starts.
Getting Started
Download an application packet here.
Qualified volunteers must be at least 18 years of age, attend all scheduled trainings, and pass criminal and DHHS background checks.
If you are interested in volunteering, please send your completed application and background check consent forms to Emily Mitchell, Development Operations Coordinator, at emitchell@safevoices.org.
You will be contacted for an interview prior to the start of the next CAIRET.
Interns
Interns are a valued part of the Safe Voices team, and we are proud to offer internship opportunities across all our programs and catchment areas. Read on to learn more about available internship positions and our application process.
Eligibility
All applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered for an internship at Safe Voices:
- Must be a current student enrolled at an accredited college or university
- Must be willing to complete Safe Voices’ CAIRET* training or equivalent orientation process
- Must agree to undergo a criminal and Department of Health and Human Services background check
We accept interns for fall and spring semesters as well as summers and the full academic year.
While many of our interns come from social work, mental health or other human services programs, we welcome and offer opportunities for all majors/courses of study.
*Interns will be required to complete Safe Voices’ 50+ hour training known as CAIRET: Comprehensive Advocacy, Intervention Response and Ethics Training. This training equips volunteers to provide advocacy and support to callers on our 24-hour Helpline. All material is approached with a social justice lens that emphasizes empowerment, collaboration, and inclusion.
Annual CAIRET Offerings
- Winter – Begins in January
- Spring – Begins in March
- Summer – Begins in June
- Fall – Begins in September
Available Internship Opportunities:
Civil & Criminal Court Advocacy
Application Process and Deadlines
All internship candidates must submit the Safe Voices Internship Application form as well as a resume, brief cover letter, and at least two references.
Download Internship Application
Completed application packages may be sent to Emily Mitchell, Development Operations Coordinator, at emitchell@safevoices.org.
We often have more internship applications than we can accommodate. To ensure your application receives full consideration, please adhere to the following application deadlines.*
Fall Semester/Academic Year: June 1
Spring Semester: November 1
Summer/Fall Semester: April 1
Safe Voices will review all eligible applicants and invite top candidates for in-person or phone interviews before making their selections.
*Applications received after these deadlines will be considered on a case-by-case basis dependent on program openings and capacity.
A Note About Independent Studies
With their time and skills, Independent Study students add value to our work by allowing us to pursue projects that are worthy but often under-resourced. We will consider a limited number of Independent Study projects where there is a clear, mutual benefit to the student and to Safe Voices. Students seeking an Independent Study are asked to complete the same application process outlined for interns. When submitting an application, please specify that this is an Independent Study project, providing as much detail about your availability and program requirements as possible.