Get Involved » Volunteer

Opportunities

Hope Harbor was founded by two volunteers who saw the importance of supporting survivors of sexual assault within their community. Today, the volunteer program continues to be a pillar of our agency, and services would not be possible without our dedicated volunteers.

There are a variety of ways to lend your time and talents to supporting survivors, including but not limited to: 

• providing hotline and emergency advocacy,  

• assisting with daily office operations,  

• fundraising and outreach,  

• and becoming a member of our Board of Directors.  

We would love to help you find a volunteer activity that utilizes your unique talents and passion to help others.  

Hope Harbor invites everyone regardless of gender identity, race, sexual orientation, class, ability, or religion to apply and volunteer with us. 

Video: Hope Harbor, Volunteer Testimonial by Sublime Media

Hope Harbor’s services would not be possible without the assistance of dedicated volunteers lending their time and talents to assist survivors of sexual violence. There are a variety of ways someone may choose to volunteer and get involved with Hope Harbor including direct and indirect service, fundraising, gardening, and Board of Director membership. The staff would love to talk with you to help find a volunteer activity utilizing your strengths and passion to help others. Hope Harbor invites everyone regardless of gender identity, race, sexual orientation, class, ability, or religion to apply and volunteer with us.

Advocates

Our largest group of volunteers are advocates which take shifts on our 24/7 crisis hotline and respond to emergency advocacy calls at hospitals and law enforcement agencies to be with survivors. This is a volunteer opportunity where you have direct-client contact by providing survivors of sexual assault and their loved ones support and information through one of the most difficult time in their lives. In order to provide this advocacy, state requirements say you must be at least 18 years old* and complete the 40-hour training including a background check. We offer this training 3 times a year in the spring, summer, and fall.

*This is a recent change from previously requiring minimum of 20 years of age!

In-Office

Our office volunteers assist staff with organization, data collection and entry, and completion of other agency projects. This volunteering experience has opportunities that include and do not client-contact. You will be working directly with staff and other volunteers. Weekday availability during office hours is necessary. No minimum age requirement.

Garden

Our therapeutic garden is located at our Bowling Green office and provides clients, staff, and volunteers with a safe space as well as a food source. We use garden volunteers to help harvest produce, plant, and maintain the garden. We welcome group service projects to improve and work in the therapeutic garden. Most opportunities require weekday availability during office hours. No minimum age requirement.

Fundraising

Fundraising is a large part of the non-profit life and we can always use help in asking for and receiving donations, as well as helping with community events. We also encourage and appreciate community groups who host fundraisers or donation drives for the agency. No minimum age requirement.

Education Program Presentations

Our Education and Prevention Program welcomes volunteer presenters to assist staff in area schools and community groups. Per state requirements, volunteers must complete the 40-hour training and be at least 18 years of age. Hope Harbor staff will additionally train volunteers in programs to be presented and Education Program Volunteers will be provided with all the supplies and information needed to have successful presentations. Most presentation opportunities are during school hours (Monday-Friday, 7am-3pm).

Crisis Intervention Volunteer Opportunities

Many of our volunteers are advocates who provide support and information to survivors through our 24/7 crisis hotline and during emergency advocacy calls at local hospitals and law enforcement agencies. To become a volunteer advocate, you must be at least 18 years old, complete a background check, and participate in the 40-hour advocate training that is provided by Hope Harbor.

Crisis Hotline
Our 24/7 hotline is one of the many crucial services we provide for survivors and the community. Volunteers who staff the hotline provide emotional support and information about Hope Harbor services and other resources survivors may need. To staff our hotline, you need access to the internet, a confidential space to take calls, and a reliable phone.  

Emergency Advocacy
Another crucial service provided by Hope Harbor is emergency advocacy. Volunteers who take emergency advocacy shifts provide support and information to survivors at hospitals or law enforcement agencies when they seek medical care, evidence collection, and/or make a report. To be an emergency advocate, you must have access to reliable transportation and be able to respond to any hospitals or law enforcement agencies within Hope Harbor’s service area. 

Non-Crisis Intervention Volunteer Opportunities

There are many ways to volunteer at Hope Harbor that do not involve providing direct client services to survivors, but they still greatly benefit the clients and community we serve. If you have talents that could be utilized in ways that are not listed below, feel free to contact us and we can discuss more ways to be involved in the program!

In-Office
Our office volunteers can assist staff with organization, agency projects, cleaning, and various other administrative tasks. Volunteers can also help maintain our therapeutic garden which is located at our main office in Bowling Green. You must have weekday availability and some tasks require you to complete portions of the 40-hour advocate training. 

Outreach and Fundraising
Community outreach is very important when it comes to spreading awareness about Hope Harbor and our services. Outreach volunteers can work alongside staff at community events, help plan Hope Harbor’s awareness programs, and create outreach materials. Fundraising volunteers can also assist with planning events, asking for donations, and organizing donated items. There is no minimum age requirement and some tasks require you to have completed the 40-hour advocate training.  

Training

Hope Harbor hosts the 40-hour advocate training 3 times a year. The training is a comprehensive look into the services provided by our agency, how to support and advocate for survivors and their loved ones, and how to spread awareness about sexual violence and it’s impacts. To be a crisis intervention volunteer you must complete the 40-hour training in its entirety and to volunteer in some non-crisis intervention roles, you must complete certain portions of the 40-hour training. If you have questions about our training process, please email volunteer@hopeharbor.net.

Application Process

If you are interested in volunteering with Hope Harbor, please complete the volunteer application below and our Advocacy Coordinator will contact you to schedule an interview. You may also contact volunteer@hopeharbor.net or call (270)782-5014 with any questions about volunteering or to schedule a time to discuss joining our program. 

If you do not receive an email response within a week of submitting an application, please check your spam folder or email volunteer@hopeharbor.net to make sure we received your information.  

If you are interested in becoming a member of our board, please contact Melissa Whitley, Executive Director, at director@hopeharbor.net or (270) 782-5014 to learn more about the application process and Board of Directors membership requirements.