NOVA, Bucks County’s comprehensive crime victim services agency, is looking for volunteers for its 24/7 Phone Helpline, Text/Chat Helpline, and to support victims of sexual assault and other crimes during emergency room visits or police interviews. The fall session of crisis volunteer training begins in October.
Volunteers are crucial to ensuring that NOVA can provide 24/7 support to victims of crimes such as sexual assault, interpersonal violence and more. Volunteers provide accompaniment, emotional support, information about NOVA’s services and resources to victims who call the Helpline or receive a medical-forensic exam at a local hospital.
Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation (needed for emergency room visits or police interviews), meet all required clearances (child abuse, criminal record check and FBI fingerprinting), complete a 45-hour training program and, upon acceptance into the program, sign a confidentiality agreement.
The crisis volunteer training consists of individual sessions on specific topics related to crime and victimization, conducted by NOVA staff members who are experts in these areas. Topics covered by the training include counseling skills, recognizing and responding to child abuse, crisis intervention and the criminal justice system. The training sessions are free of charge and will be presented by NOVA professionals in the organization’s Jamison office. Days and times will be announced at a later date on the NOVA website and social media platforms.
Volunteers will attend sessions to learn how to best respond to Helpline calls and provide victim/survivor-centered and trauma-informed support during emergency room visits or police interviews. Volunteer shifts take place during evening and weekend hours, with flexible shifts of 2 to 6 hours.
Those interested in volunteering must register in advance to allow time for processing. To register for NOVA’s Crisis Volunteer Training, or for more information about this or other volunteer opportunities, contact Julie Dugery, coordinator of volunteers and community outreach, NOVA, at 215-343-6543, Ext. 6604, or at JulieD@NOVABucks.org.
Visit NOVABucks.org for more information.
