Prospective Volunteer Advocates
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What will I do as an Advocate for the Rape Victim Advocacy Program? | What RVAP Offers You as a Volunteer
What will I do as an Advocate for the Rape Victim Advocacy Program?
Advocates are expected to commit to a minimum of two to three shifts a month. Following are the types of shifts:
Weeknight Crisis Line and In-person Advocacy shifts
- Monday through Thursday; 5 pm that night until 8 am the next morning
- 5 pm Friday to 9 am Saturday
Weekend Crisis Line shifts
- Saturday 9 am to 5 pm
- 5 pm Saturday to 9 am Sunday
- Sunday 9 am to 5 pm
- 5 pm Sunday to 8 am Monday
Weekend In-person Advocacy shifts
- 9 am Saturday to 9 am Sunday
- 9 am Sunday to 8 am Monday
When on-call, the Crisis Line Advocate will carry a cell phone, so sitting by a landline is not necessary (although having a quiet and private location for taking calls is). The In-person Advocate also carries a cell phone. A maximum 20 minute response time to location of in-person advocacy at the hospital or police department is required.
One-hour advocate meetings are held each month. Attendance at advocate meetings is required. Meeting times and locations are given well in advance for advocates' scheduling needs.
What RVAP Offers You as a Volunteer:
- Personal growth, empowerment, and confidence: Alongside the work you'll be doing for the community,volunteering at RVAP can have personal benefits for you, as well.
- Making a tangible difference: It's easy to see the impact your work is having during one-to-one contact with someone on the phone or in person at the hospital or police station.
- Learning counseling skills or public speaking skills: RVAP volunteers are well trained in the dynamics and effects of sexual abuse, counseling and active listening skills, as well as in community resources and referral information. Many people find that the skills they develop as a volunteer are useful in their personal, school, and work lives.
- College credit: Many departments within the University of Iowa offer college credit to volunteers for their efforts. See your advisor for more details or to see if you qualify.
- Job or graduate school experience: Obtaining a job or a graduate placement in social services often requires that one has had previous volunteer experience. Your commitment to training and volunteering will look great on any resume or graduate school application. We are happy to provide a reference for jobs, scholarships, graduate applications etc., after completing a minimum 6 month commitment.
- Meet other volunteers: Many of the qualities that lead to volunteering with RVAP offer common ground from which life-long friendships are begun.
- 10,000 Hours participating agency: Volunteer hours with RVAP qualify for the 10,000 Hours Show-an annual free concert, featuring major headliners, held exclusively for community volunteers. See more information at the 10,000 Hours Organization's website!
