Be a Volunteer

Survivor Services

Support and Info

Get Involved

Our Thrift Stores

Becoming a volunteer at Someplace Safe is a meaningful way to make a positive impact in the lives of individuals affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, and other forms of abuse and crime. As a volunteer, you can contribute your time, skills, and compassion.

Someplace Safe offers equal employment and volunteer opportunities without regard to race, age, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, citizenship, disability, gender orientation, or status as a veteran.

Be a Volunteer

Volunteer Opportunities

Parent Time Centers
Thrift Store

Volunteer Advocacy (Requires 80 Hours of Training)

Crisis Line
Court advocacy with survivors
Answer phones and respond to survivors
Lead empowerment group
Follow up calls
Provide direct client services
Assist with protection orders

Court Advocacy (Specific Court Watch duties may require 80 hours of training)

Attend hearings (criminal)
Look up court cases
Sit with survivors during court/trials
Advocate at OFP/HRO hearings
Follow up with victims
Create and maintain offender database

Office Support

Answer phones
Accept, sort and maintain donations
Print and mail form letters
Create mailing list
Data entry
Compile statistics
Filing
Photocopying
Office Cleaning

Information Specialist

Write articles/blogs
Presentations
Information tabling
Post information on social media pages
Research information

Event Coordinator

Gauge community interest in new fundraising or awareness event
Assist with current/long standing signature fundraisers and awareness events
Determine event needs and execute tasks
Recruit volunteers, organize committees, etc
Obtain sponsorships and donations
Maintain contact with venues, vendors, volunteers, staff, etc.

Events Become a Volunteer

Volunteer Program Overview

Parent Time Centers

The Parenting Time Center is a program offered by Someplace Safe. It functions independently from Someplace Safe’s Advocacy programs, with dedicated staff members to prevent conflicts of interest and uphold confidentiality. Nevertheless, in several communities, the PTC may be situated in the same vicinity or nearby Someplace Safe’s local Advocacy offices.

As a volunteer at PTC, you may help provide a safe, neutral location for children and parents/caregivers to spend time together, establish relationships, or strengthen bonds. There are Parenting Time Center locations in Fergus Falls, Glenwood, Morris, Ortonville, and Perham.

Depending on your interest, time, and location, there are many different volunteer ways.

Center Services

Visitation Assistant: Be a second adult present during monitored parenting time. Volunteers are present, but the parenting time is between the parent and the child. The volunteer is not actively involved.
Exchange Assistant: Volunteers facilitate the exchange by meeting with each parent and assisting the child in successfully meeting and departing from one parent to the other during the parenting time exchange.

Administrative Support

Office Records Assistant: Assist staff in maintaining statistics and information for grant reporting, assist with data entry, and make copies.
Phone Support: Answer calls, refer calls to appropriate individuals, and take messages.
Go-for: Run errands between office locations as needed.
Volunteer Coordinator: Facilitate quarterly volunteer training and keep volunteer applications and files up to date, providing scheduling and support services for volunteer staff.

Maintenance Support

Maintenance Assistant: Provide handyperson assistance as needed, including painting and light repairs.
Cleaning Assistant: Assist in cleaning and organizing the centers and toy rooms.

Donations and Support

Direct Fundraiser: Solicit items and resources from local individuals and businesses as assigned.
Truck Availability: Provide a pick-up truck to assist in moving items.

Thrift Store Volunteer

Someplace Safe Thrift Stores provide a sustainable funding source for agency programming and services. By shopping, donating and volunteering at the stores, you help SAVE LIVES!. Not only that, the stores provide survivors with the needed furniture, clothing and household items to restart their lives through the agency’s voucher program. Someplace Safe Thrift Stores also provide an affordable shopping option for community members, as well as a great option to recycle and repurpose usable goods.

A variety of volunteer opportunities that fit your schedule and interest are available at each one of Someplace Safe’s Thrift Stores in Alexandria, Fergus Falls, or Morris.

Donation processing and sorting
Pricing
Shelving items
Customer service
General cleaning
Donation pick up (by appointment only)
Building maintenance/repairs
Other duties and special projects as needed

Crisis Line Volunteer

To inquire about volunteering on Someplace Safe’s Crisis Line, please get in touch with the Director of Advocacy. You can reach out to admin@someplacesafe.info or by calling 218-739-3486.

If you’re eager to begin your training right away, you can visit the Office for Victims of Crime’s Training and Technical Assistance Center. There, you can participate in the Victims Assistance Training (VAT) Online program. VAT Online is a comprehensive web-based training program designed to equip victim service providers and allied professionals with essential skills and knowledge to better support crime victims. The program encompasses four sections: Basics, Core Competencies and Skills, Crimes, and Specific Considerations for Providing Victim Services. Completing this training will help you enhance your ability to assist victims effectively.

Victim Assistance Training Online | Resources | OVC TTAC

Your First Steps to Volunteer

To inquire about volunteering on Someplace Safe’s Crisis Line, please get in touch with the Director of Advocacy. You can reach out to admin@someplacesafe.info or by calling 218-739-3486.

Victim Assistance Training Online | Resources | OVC TTAC

Becoming a New Volunteer

Volunteering at Someplace Safe provides an opportunity for personal growth, learning, and making a difference. You will receive comprehensive training and ongoing support to ensure you are well-equipped for your role. Moreover, you will join a community of dedicated individuals who share the common goal of ending violence and supporting survivors.

Qualifications & Commitment

Volunteers must be age 16
Time commitments vary depending on the location and tasks involved

Applications and Forms

Complete the Volunteer Application
Complete the Background Study Form
Print and complete the Volunteer Handbook
Additional forms may be completed at the first in-person meeting with your local Advocate

Training

Complete Volunteer Orientation. Contact Someplace Safe to set a convenient Orientation date and time.
Program specific training may be required. Please ask our staff if you need any additional training.

NOTE: Volunteers, please complete the Volunteer Handbook before their first meeting to assist us in finding the best fit for them.

Volunteering Directly With Survivors

Because of our sensitivity to client safety and confidentiality, volunteering in direct positions with survivors, children, and families or representing Someplace Safe in the community requires the following:

Qualifications & Commitment

Volunteers must be age 18+
Commitment of approximately two hours/month for at least six months (1-year commitment is encouraged)

Applications and Forms

Complete the Volunteer Application
Complete the Background Study Form
Print and complete the Volunteer Handbook
Additional forms may be completed at the first in-person meeting with your local Advocate

Training

Complete Volunteer Orientation. Contact Someplace Safe to set up a convenient Orientation date and time.
Completion of volunteer training (1-year commitment is encouraged)
Additional program specific training may also required

Learn Through Volunteering

Volunteering to support survivors of crime is a powerful way to learn about their experiences and make a positive impact. By dedicating our time and energy to this cause, we gain firsthand knowledge of survivors’ challenges and resilience.

Volunteering helps us develop a deeper understanding of the issues surrounding abuse and violent crime in our local communities.

Through volunteering, we become advocates for change, raising awareness about these issues and working towards a society that is safe, supportive, and free from violence.

Volunteer Thrift Stores Events