Volunteer Opportunities | Support Survivors with Bridging Hope

Be a Light in the Dark

Successfully navigating the aftermath of sexual assault takes courage and determination. It also makes a massive difference when a survivor has a guide to light the way forward. Our wonderful volunteers do this daily. In fact, Bridging Hope relies on volunteers to carry out many of our programs and services. If, after reading through the volunteer requirements and commitments, you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please complete our Volunteer Application.

Fill Out an Application

What Our Volunteers Do

Bridging Hope’s volunteers assist in myriad ways, from simple to complex duties – these may include:

Providing emotional support and accompaniment for sexual assault survivors during the forensic medical exam process (the forensic exam typically takes about 3 hours but can be shorter or longer)
Responding to crisis line calls within 10 minutes, during scheduled on-call time
Supporting the Education Program by grading tests
Representing Bridging Hope in the community through tabling events and community meetings
Helping with the setup and takedown of fundraising events

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can volunteer?

Because supporting the survivors of sexual assault and abuse involves important, delicate, and sometimes challenging tasks, Bridging Hope has certain guidelines that all volunteers must adhere to. Volunteers must meet the following criteria:

Be 18 years old or older
Live within approximately 30 minutes of downtown Gainesville, Ga
Be able to provide compassion and sympathy to individuals experiencing trauma
Be able to respond to a crisis situation in a calm, professional manner

Volunteers will also be asked to sign a volunteer contract and confidentiality agreement form.

What kind of time commitment is involved?

Our volunteers frequently man our crisis phone line service, as well as interact with survivors in person. Volunteers must be able to donate their time in specific intervals, including:

On-call shifts that can range from 12 hours to 24 hours
Four, 1-hour quarterly program meetings throughout the year
30 hours of initial volunteer training, as well as 10 hours of annual continuing education (NOTE: Education hours can be met by attending quarterly meetings, which include fun interactions among staff and volunteers, as well as meals and additional training)

What does volunteer training look like?

We ensure that our volunteers are ready for the tasks we ask them to perform, and we do so by making sure that they receive everything they need – without overwhelming them. Volunteer training is presented in a hybrid format throughout the course of a week. This consists of some independent training material completed prior to the week of training, Zoom calls with professionals in the evenings, and two 8-hour days in person, typically held on weekends. Bridging Hope performs new volunteer training at consistent intervals – so, you will not have to wait long to help.

How do I become a volunteer?

Becoming a force for good is simple and rewarding. To begin the procedure, all you need to do is fill out a volunteer application. From there, we will schedule a personal interview to meet with you.

Please know that ALL volunteers must complete our 30-hour volunteer training course. A background check is also required and paid for by Bridging Hope prior to volunteering

Become a Volunteer

Still Want More Information?

We understand that making a commitment to Bridging Hope is a big step, and we are thrilled that you are considering taking that step. We also understand if you want more information before making up your mind. So, if you would like to speak with a professional at Bridging Hope, we will gladly take the time to talk.

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