Needs From: Head of the Lakes United Way

PAVSA is seeking volunteers to maintain our 24-hour advocacy services. We are dedicated to the elimination of sexual violence in southern Saint Louis County through supporting victims, educating the community, and advocating for change. Our volunteers are critical to supporting victim-survivors in our community. They assist with facilitating our helpline and provide advocacy in the hospital setting during overnight and weekend hours.

Volunteering with PAVSA is a great way to get involved in the community, cultivate your crisis intervention and de-escalation skills, and build knowledge of local resources. In accordance with the State of Minnesota, Statute 595.02, all volunteers must complete a 40-hour Sexual Assault Advocacy Training. PAVSA provides this training at no cost to you and will equip you with the skills you need to be a great advocate!

We are looking to add both helpline and hospital volunteers to our program. 
Hospital volunteers are individuals who go to our local hospitals to provide comfort and advocacy when a survivor seeks care there after a sexual assault. Hospital advocates are accompanied by SANEs (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners) - nurses with specialized training in responding to sexual assaults.

Helpline volunteers are individuals who talk with survivors on our 24-hour helpline after office hours. They provide validation, support, and resources to survivors over the phone. Helpline volunteers are supported by a "staff backup," a PAVSA staff who is also on call and available to answer questions as they come up.
 
Upcoming Training Completing PAVSA's 40-Hour Training is required to volunteer, but it extends beyond PAVSA. It looks great on a resume, and can open up opportunities for further work in the nonprofit field. Completing the training now can also be great if you're considering interning at PAVSA in the future. Throughout training we cover a variety of topics such as active listening, harm reduction, crisis de-escalation, and more.

Our next training is scheduled for Fall 2026Following an in person interview, training will be held via Zoom with pre-work and homework, in person hospital tours, and a hybrid final session.

RequirementsAll PAVSA volunteers need access to a working phone, technology to access Zoom for training, availability to be on call during evening and weekend hours, and for hospital volunteers, reliable transportation. 

For more information contact our Volunteer Program Coordinator Amanda at amanda@pavsa.org or complete our volunteer interest form here: https://forms.gle/RiBTjmkV8v5gocm7A

Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault (PAVSA) is a non-profit sexual violence crisis center in southern Saint Louis County, MN that provides free and confidential services to victim-survivors, their family, and friends ages 13 and up. PAVSA’s vision is the elimination of sexual violence in southern Saint Louis County. Our mission is supporting victim-survivors and their family and friends, educating and building awareness in the community, and advocating for social change in the systems that interact with victim-survivors. The following values guide our work: confidentiality, inclusivity, resiliency, and community-mindedness. All services are free, confidential, trauma-informed, and driven by victim-survivors’ choices.

We are seeking community members who are committed to our mission and values to serve on our Board of Directors. The Board needs a diverse set of skills and backgrounds to ensure broad, relevant, diverse ideas and representation. Prior board experience is a plus but not required. This is a volunteer opportunity and no compensation will be paid. 

Primary Duties:

Responsible for the purpose, programs and public accountability of the nonprofit organizationEngage in strategic planning sessions as neededMonitor managementRepresent the organization to the community and enhance the public imageAttend monthly board meetings, read background information and reports provided prior to Board meetingsBoard meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month from 5:30-7:00pmMembership on one committee of the Board, either Internal or External committeeAttend annual fall fundraiser 

Eligibility Guidelines:

Over the age of 18Reside of work within our direct service area: Southern St. Louis County, with the ability to attend monthly in-person meetingsNot currently connected to PAVSA services of the volunteer program