Family Refuge Center’s Volunteer Program is growing within our agency. Volunteers can help in both direct and non-direct services and are highly-valued member of our team at Family Refuge Center. All volunteers are required to complete an application, attend an interview, and pass a reference check.

Shelter Advocate

Volunteer Shelter Advocates assist staff in the shelter by cleaning and organizing, answering the crisis line when necessary, assisting clients with basic needs and any other daily task necessary. 

Qualifications:

• Must complete 12 hours of Core Training
• Must complete 6 hours of expanded Shelter Training
• Shadow 1-day shift and 1-night shift at Shelter

Prevention Advocate

Prevention Advocates assist our Community Coordinator with Family Refuge Center’s violence prevention programming which includes safe/unsafe touch, bullying, and healthy relationship lessons. This program provides education and gives awareness to youth ages preschool to college in Greenbrier, Mercer, Monroe, and Pocahontas Counties.

Qualifications: 

• Must complete 12 hours of Core Training
• Must complete 6 hours of expanded Prevention Training
• Shadow Community Coordinator during one program implementation

Legal Advocate

Legal Advocates can assist with obtaining Domestic Violence Protection Orders, Personal Safety Orders, Legal Aid Referrals and any other paperwork necessary. 

Qualifications:

• Must be 18 years of age
• Must have a valid driver’s license and auto insurance
• Must complete the 12 hours of Core Training
• Shadow advocate through the court process and proper hand-offs

Community Advocate

Family Refuge Center Community Advocate will participate in community events and groups to present basic information about Family Refuge Center and the services we provide. This volunteer can attend community fairs, presentation in the community, community events and fundraising opportunities. This position wouldn’t typically have direct service interaction, but it is possible; the volunteer must have observed working at the Shelter to understand what we do, what we can and cannot say and how to handle a situation if it is to arise while they are representing us in the community.

Qualifications:

• Must be 18 years of age
• Must complete the 12 hours of Core Training
• Must spend 6 hours shadowing Shelter Advocate
• Must be flexible to attend events

Office Assistant

Office Assistants welcome new and continue clients to the office, gather basic information to refer to advocates, sort mail, answer the phone and direct it to the correct advocate when necessary, help administrative staff with any paperwork and perform other general office tasks. 

Qualifications:

• Must complete 6 hours of basic training with Family Refuge Center
• Understanding of Microsoft and Excel is preferred but not required

First step in becoming a Family Refuge Center volunteer is filling out an application.

For volunteers interested in direct and non-direct service opportunities. 

Please fill out the appropriate application for your interest and return it via email, mail, fax or in person to:

Tyranda Martin

213 Coleman Drive Suite B

Lewisburg, WV 24901

Phone: 304-645-6324

Fax: 304-645-6586

tyrandam@familyrefugecenter.org