Volunteering Options with SARC: Agency Volunteer vs. Advocate

Agency Volunteer

Agency Volunteers work with office staff to fulfill adminstrative duties. Projects available to volunteers include, but are not limited to: folding brochures, filing, making Care Packages, designing SARC flyers and posters, and assisting staff during presentations and health fairs. By performing these functions, Agency Volunteers provide a vital service; allowing staff the abiltiy to concentrate on projects which raise awareness about sexual assault in our communities.

Agency Volunteers must submit an application, come into the office for an interview, and pass a background check. No formal training is required for this position. All we ask is that Agency Volunteers commit to volunteering for a few hours per month.

Agency Volunteer Application

Advocate

Advocates provide direct client services. Our Advocates answer our 24 hour hotline; provide support to survivors at hospitals, police departments, and court proceedings; provide face-to-face counseling; represent SARC at presentations and health fairs; and help with other SARC projects. Our Advocates are our lifeline and the voice of support that survivors hear in the middle of the night; without them, the center would cease to function.

Advocates must be at least 18 years of age, submit an application, come into the office for an interview, and pass a background check. Potential Advocates will then be admitted into a training class which is approximately 40 hours long. Advocates are requested make a 6 month committment to the center and sign up for 2-3 hotline or escort shifts per month. Weekday shifts are from 5PM-8AM. Weekend shifts are from 8AM-5PM and 5PM-8AM. Advocates are able to answer the phone from their home as all calls are forwarded from the center to either a landline or mobile phone.

SARC has conducted 64 Advocate Training Classes since 1983. In May 2009, SARC conducted its first ever Advocate Training Class for residents of Leon and Madison Counties. To learn more about each program, click the link below.

Brazos County Advocate Program

Leon/Madison County Advocate Program

There are numerous benefits to being a volunteer at the Rape Crisis Center, Brazos Valley, but to me the biggest benefits are: (1) gaining valuable knowledge through the initial and on-going training allowing you the skills to be able to help someone in a time of need; and (2) knowing that you may have improved lives in a positive way by being there to support victims of sexual assault at a time when reaching out is very difficult for them to do.
-Bridgette G.
Volunteer since May 1997

One of the most important aspects of volunteering for me is being there to answer the cries in the night.
-Sandi O.
Volunteer since July, 1986