Volunteer Program Overview

Volunteering with Verity is both challenging and rewarding. Our volunteers are often working with some of our community’s most vulnerable residents during times of extreme physical and emotional stress. We pride ourselves on providing the best services to our community possible, and doing so means that we set high standards for both our staff and volunteers.

Normally, we offer two distinct volunteer opportunities: Crisis Line Counselor/Victim Advocate and Sexual Assault Prevention Educator. Both require a minimum six-month commitment along with the completion of a 48- or 30-hour training course, respectively.  However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are only accepting applications for Crisis Line Counselors/Victim Advocates. If you have a special interested in prevention work, email [email protected]. 

This volunteer training program predominantly adopts a virtual format, with the exception of one day.  An in-person engagement is scheduled for an off site tour, during which an overview of in-person accompaniment procedures will be covered.  

*In person accompaniments do occur and volunteers should be prepared to accompany survivors at Sutter Hospital and Redwood Children’s Center in Santa Rosa.

Our volunteer positions can be used to fulfill internship requirements at various local colleges and universities.

Crisis Line Counselor / Sexual Assault Victim Advocate

The primary role of our Crisis Line Counselors / Sexual Assault Victim Advocates is to provide telephone and in-person crisis counseling, support, referrals, advocacy, and accompaniment services to survivors of sexual assault, their families and significant others. Verity provides several trainings per year. 

Our next training is September 12th-28th. We will meet Tue/Wed/Thurs on zoom from 5:30-8pm.  There will be one in person meeting to cover in perosn accompaniments. 

Common duties include, but are not limited to: Providing telephone crisis intervention, support, information, and referrals to victims of sexual assault and abuse, their families, and loved ones.

• Providing accompaniment and advocacy services to Verity clients. This can include medical examinations, law enforcement interviews, and court appearances.
• Providing follow-up contact with Verity clients according to their individual needs.
• Documenting call information and submission to Verity within 72 hours. Call documentation can be provided via mail, email, or fax.
• Providing coverage for the weekend and overnight shifts on the crisis line.  Please note: Before volunteering on our crisis line, a 48-hour training course is required to receive state certification.  We are in the process of planning our next training with exact dates to be determined.  It will be a virtual training to ensure your safety and the safety of Verity staff.  Contact [email protected] for more information or use our new online application to apply below!

Sexual Assault Prevention Educator

~At this time we don’t have any volunteer opportunities in the prevention department due to the Covid 19 Pandemic.

Sexual Assault Prevention Educators facilitate prevention workshops for students, parents, and staff in Sonoma County schools, as well as educational presentations to the community.

The purpose of these workshops is to empower children and youth, reduce young people’s vulnerability to physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, and provide information about Verity’s services to the Sonoma County community at large.

Common duties include, but are not limited to:

• Co-facilitating workshops within school classrooms, staff agency booths for health and community fairs, and co-facilitate other community education programs.
• Helping students understand and break down the stereotypes and myths surrounding sexual assault.
• Serving as a role model in the classroom by addressing student questions and concerns.
• Conducting individual “talk time” sessions with students following workshops.
• Completing necessary workshop records and CPS reports as needed.
• Attending monthly in-service meetings.

Please note: All volunteers are required to complete 30 hours of free training on sexual assault prevention, classroom management, and public speaking prior to facilitating classroom or community workshops.

Click here to learn more and download the application.

Additional Information

If you have questions about volunteering that have not been answered on our website, you can contact us here:

Crisis Line Volunteers
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (707) 545-7270 ext. 24

Prevention Educator Volunteers
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (707) 545-7270 ext. 12

We appreciate your interest in Verity. Volunteers are an integral part of our team and we look forward to hearing from you. Please allow up to two business days for a response by phone or email.