Help Line Advocate
Interested in helping someone heal from abuse or assault? Want to gain counseling skills?
General
Help Line Advocates are trained to listen, provide support, and explain options to callers on our 24-hour help line during non-business hours. Advocates may also be required to do follow up work in the office with clients. For example, writing letters on behalf of the client (with permission) if the person is looking for assistance in communicating to professors.
Stats
We serve approximately 300 people at The Aurora Center and about half contact us through the help line.
Volunteer Hours
All advocates who volunteer on the help line are expected to cover five (5) shifts per month, including one (1) weekend shift. A shift is from 4:30pm on a business day to 8:00am the next business day. During the weekend shift it begins on a Friday at 4:30pm until 8:00am the following Monday morning. When the office is closed due to official U of M holidays, coverage is needed as well.
Meetings
Help Line Advocates join the Legal Advocates in meeting throughout the semester. The 2009-2010 Advocate Meeting Schedule is as follows:
All meetings are on Sundays and scheduled 1:00 - 4:00pm
October 25, 2009
November 22, 2009
January 31, 2010
February 28, 2010
March 28, 2010
Contact Jerie Smith with any questions. Attendance at meetings is a requirement to volunteer.
Logistics and Expectations
Volunteers in training will have many opportunities to ask questions pertaining to the position, especially what it will be like to talk with callers on the help line, but provided here is a brief and limited description of what is expected.
Working on the help line involves carrying a pager and a messenger bag with an intervention manual. Advocates are expected to return phone calls on the pager system within 15 minutes. If it is a call where the person in need is going to the emergency room for a sexual assault examination or related medical needs, advocates are expected to be at the emergency room within 30 minutes. Advocates are able to study and do some social activities while on call but are restricted from consuming alcohol or other drugs and are strongly encouraged not to work at their jobs while on call.
Advocates are expected to utilize the extensive training they receive to listen, validate, and explain options in a caring and supportive way to any client. Please refer to the brochure, "Advocates: How They Can Help" to learn more about the position or talk to Jerie Smith.
Summer Break
We still need coverage on the help line although if advocates are not available during the summer break, they are still able to maintain involvement and volunteer during the academic year.
Supervision
Becky Redetzke Field works with all advocates in their work with clients and shares supervision with Jerie Smith, Volunteer Coordinator, who facilitates the weekly meetings, reviews, and coordinates the on call schedule with advocates.