Thursday, January 26: A DV-101 education is presented in a way that is inclusive to the needs and barriers of the diverse communities served, based on Accessible, Culturally Responsive, and Trauma Informed (ACRTI) foundations. We will provide an overview of SPAN’s outreach and shelter services, cover mandatory reporting, privacy and confidentiality, and necessary background checks. For indirect service roles and some professional volunteers, this is the only session required to attend.

Friday, January 27: Training will cover safety planning as an action verb and how to show up as a trauma-informed and strengths-based victim advocate. There is an introduction to lethality assessment questions and law enforcement involvement, red flags to look out for, and go more in-depth on how to handle disclosures and mandatory reporting. 

Saturday, January 28: During this training session, we will go in-depth on serving survivors coming from vulnerable social locations, such as immigrant and trans survivors, as well as legal and housing advocacy at SPAN. We will offer information on community partners and the resources they can offer survivors and their households throughout Boulder and Broomfield counties and wrap up with various safety planning scenarios. We will also have a breakfast potluck to celebrate the conclusion of in-person training! 

At SPAN, volunteers can serve in one of two broad categories: Direct Service, and Indirect Service. All volunteer roles require a mandatory background check. If you can contribute toward the cost of the background check, it would be appreciated (and optional). 

Direct Service roles at SPAN include interactions with SPAN clients. These include internships, court advocate volunteers, outreach center volunteers, and some professional volunteers. These roles require that individuals be at least 18 years old, go through a minimum 15-hour training, and background check. A commitment to volunteer with SPAN for 6 – 12 months preferred, though shorter time commitments may be considered. Most direct service roles require a mandatory background check that includes fingerprints ($48.50) and Veritable Screening ($21). If someone in a direct service role works with children at SPAN, we will also request they complete a Trails background check ($35) prior to starting their work. 

Indirect Service roles do not include extensive interactions with SPAN clients, though they still play a pivotal role! These include shelter volunteers, fundraising and special events, and some professional volunteers. It requires individuals to be at least 18 years old, go through a background check, and a 3-hour training (offered on the first date of a Victim Advocacy Training). The mandatory background check is with Veritable Screening ($21).

Resource Navigation Interns: This is a direct service role that requires at least 15 hours of training, and for background checks, we will need Veritable Screening and fingerprints. Resource Navigation Interns will have the opportunity to work with both legal and housing advocacy programs at SPAN. They will gain a deep understanding of how survivors of gender-based violence (domestic violence, intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and stalking) navigate civil, criminal, and immigration legal systems, and access safe and affordable housing, and other resources. The goal of this internship is to help the legal and housing advocacy programs in supporting survivors with their safety planning as it pertains to understanding their legal rights and protections, accessing and safe housing options, and collecting essential data on advocacy services. SPAN is seeking at minimum an 8-hour per week commitment between Monday – Friday. The schedule can include hours between 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. 

Court Advocates: This is a direct service role that requires at least 15 hours of training, and for background checks, we will need Veritable Screening and fingerprints. Volunteer Court Advocates aid clients in understanding the civil protection order process and can offer in-person help to clients seeking a temporary protection order (TPO). They provide information on the protection order process and paperwork, accompany clients to file paperwork, accompany clients to court hearings to provide emotional support, and connect clients with other SPAN services and community resources. Shifts are at least once a week Monday through Friday at the Boulder Court. These are the shifts we are currently recruiting for: 

Monday: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
12:30 to 4:30 p.m.  

Tuesday: 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.  

Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
12:30 to 4:30 p.m.  

Thursday: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
12:30 to 4:30 p.m.  

Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
 

Outreach Center Volunteers work at the Outreach Center in Boulder and provide information and referrals to clients and community members over the phone and in person with walk-ins. They can also connect individuals with staff members as needed. Volunteer responsibilities can include phone coverage, mailings, helping receive in-kind donations, and small maintenance projects. Shifts are at least 4 hours once a week.

Shelter Volunteers Responsibilities can include helping in the free store, office tasks, shelter maintenance, and organization projects. Shifts may include opportunities to join in community building activities with shelter staff and residents on occasion. Volunteers support Shelter staff in helping meet basic needs of residents or in implementing programs. Volunteer opportunities can look like once a month, day-long projects, or weekly 2–4-hour shifts.

Fundraising & Special Events Volunteers work with SPAN with various aspects of organizing, staffing, and support at fundraising events, fairs, festivals, and other special events in which SPAN is participating and/or hosting. Volunteers can assist with administrative support, event promotion, event day activities and post event activities.

Professional Volunteers can offer their expertise on a volunteer basis to SPAN clients and staff alike. They can provide yoga, massage, group therapy, legal clinics, etc. SPAN will assess whether the offered skill set is suitable on a case-by-case basis.