Volunteer
Opportunities Available (training provided)
Administrative Aide
Volunteers will primarily assist the Center's staff with administrative projects and provide general reception support including data entry, filing, mailings, information gathering, answering phones, etc. Volunteers will also be asked periodically to staff the Center's waiting room and assist victims of suspected child sexual abuse and their families, making them feel comfortable by providing basic information about the Center, engaging children in play activities, caring for children while their guardian is meeting with staff, keeping the waiting room tidy, etc. Hours available Monday-Friday between 8:30am and 5pm.
Special Projects
Volunteers may assist with special events such as fundraisers, open houses, educational seminars, community events/festivals, or with projects such as gardening, decorating, purchasing children's supplies, etc. Hours based on need and availability. Some opportunities available Monday-Friday between 8am to 5pm; others vary.
Childcare
Volunteers will care for children who are the siblings and/or children of clients during evening group therapy sessions. Volunteers needed Tuesday evenings 5:40pm to 8:15pm.
Responsibilities
- Commit to at least 6 months
- Work the scheduled volunteer shift, as arranged, preferably once per week for at least 2 consecutive hours
- Respect and maintain the confidentiality and privacy of clients and donors
- Follow the Center's policies and procedures
- Commit to the CAC’s mission to assess, support, and care for child victims of suspected sexual abuse.
- Relate to children and adults of all ages, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds
- Attend occasional volunteer staff meetings and ongoing training as required
Benefits
- Smiles from children and gratitude from their parents and guardians
- The satisfaction of knowing that you have been part of a team helping victims become children again
- An outstanding opportunity for undergraduate social work and nonprofit administration students
Volunteer Application
To volunteer with the Children's Assessment Center, please fill out our volunteer application and mail it to the Center. Or, for more information about volunteering at the Children’s Assessment Center, contact Brenda Gonzales 616-336-5191 bgonzales@cac-kent.org
Our volunteers help us secure partial program funding from VOCA
This project, Crisis Support of Child CSC Victims, was supported by Crime Victim Assistance Grant Award CVA#20527 11V05 awarded to the Children's Assessment Center by the Michigan Crime Victim Services Commission, Michigan Department of Community Health. The grant award of $86,781 (80% of the project), comes from the Federal Crime Victims Fund, established by the Victims of Crime Act of 1984. The Children's Assessment Center provides the required match, $21,695, in the following manner: 866 volunteer hours valued at $10,255 and United Way and Law Enforcement contributions valued at $11,440.