But first, why should I volunteer? Being a volunteer is a very personally rewarding experience. It meets the different preferences and motivations of almost everyone, when volunteers are matched appropriately to opportunities. Giving back to the community and giving others hope is a gift that is priceless and long-lasting. Volunteering is also an opportunity to share and teach the skills you already have, to learn new skills, add experience to a resume, fulfill scholarship, internship, or licensure requirements. For some volunteers, it's a way to stay active and busy, meet lots of new people, and just have great fun!
Who Can Volunteer? Just about anyone. And yes, men are welcome! We need men who are positive role models for the women and children in shelter who may not have had that opportunity until you came along. We also need your voice in the community. Teens are also welcome with appropriate supervision, if needed. Many teens enjoy working with our younger children in shelter. Grandmothers, grandfathers, families, corporate and civic organizations, church groups, boy/girl scouts--all are welcome. Diversity is the key--we also need volunteers who are culturally diverse and bi-lingual in English and any other language.
What would my volunteer duties be? We are a not-for-profit agency that provides emergency shelter and advocacy to victims of domestic and sexual abuse. Nearly anything it takes to run a business, run a home, and provide victim advocacy to our clients, you can do as a volunteer. You can take training classes to become a Certified Victim Advocate (for adults, children, court advocacy, or On-Call weekends), provide counseling as an intern, assist with major projects and fundraising events, provide clerical and computer support, advertising, landscaping, building maintenance, tutoring children and teaching adult Life Skills classes, plan activities for shelter clients, collect donations for our shelter, help in the Quigley House Thrift Store, serve as a Board Member or committee member, be an advocate for social, political, and legal change to benefit victims, join our Speakers' Bureau and provide community education... the list goes on and on. We encourage our volunteers to bring their ideas to us, as well.
How many hours would I have to contribute or commit to volunteering? You tell us when you are available. Any amount of your precious time is precious to us, as well! Our shelter is open 24/7, 365 days a year. Days, evenings, and weekends are all available, with some night work.
How do I get started? Contact the Volunteer Coordinator Jessica Hames (
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
or 904-579-4057), or link to our volunteer website at: www.only4qhvolunteers.viviti.com.
What do I need to bring to Volunteer Orientation? Just bring yourself (and a friend or family member!), and plan to spend a couple of hours learning the basics of volunteering in a domestic violence and sexual assault shelter. A comprehensive volunteer information packet will be given to you, which includes your volunteer application. You will learn much more about the opportunities available for volunteers at Quigley House, and how you can make a big difference in many people's lives.
