Volunteer Opportunities

 

From putting in a little to a lot of time, there are a multitude of opportunities to join in the fight to end violence against women on Virginia Tech's campus. Through the following programs, you can improve your skills, build your resume, make friends, and make a significant contribution in support of women.

Sexual Assault and Violence Education by Students (SAVES)

SAVES is now accepting applications!

Are you looking for a leadership opportunity? Are you interested in learning about and educating others on violence prevention issues? As a Sexual Assault and Violence Education by Students (SAVES) peer educator, you have the opportunity to give presentations, plan programs, and provide outreach to the Virginia Tech community about sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, and cyberstalking.

SAVES is a great opportunity to get involved to help end gender violence! Joining this student group is a wonderful way to learn about sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, and cyberstalking. Members go through a 16-hour training on these subjects and then provide peer education to other students through presentations and outreach activities. Recruitment starts in the spring of each year. From joining in presentations to residence halls, sororities, and fraternities to helping out with events like Sexual Violence Awareness Month and Healthy Relationships Week, there are many ways you can help educate!

To apply, fill out an application and have three references fill out a recommendation form for you. The application deadline is Monday, March 31st.

Email saves@vt.edu or call Jeff or Jen at 231-7806 to learn more about SAVES.

Stop Abuse Resource Advocates

Next training: Saturday March 29th.

Are you a student leader looking for more information on gender-based violence issues? Do you want to know more about how you can help other students who may have experienced sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, or cyberstalking? If so, join us for our Stop Abuse Resource Advocate training. As a Stop Abuse Resource Advocate, you will receive specialized training on violence against women issues that can enhance your professional development and allow you to be a resource to students you work with and your community. This day-long training concentrates on sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, and cyberstalking. You will be trained on the issues, available resources, and how to help someone who is being victimized.

Apply online to be a Stop Abuse Resource Advocate. If you have questions, contact Meghan Weyrens Kuhn by email or phone at 540.231.3790.

 

Office of Judicial Affairs, Student Judicial Committee

Joining the Student Judicial Committee is a great way to get involved with the judicial process on campus. You will learn to objectively hold students accountable for their actions as well as to support them in their growth processes as they learn to take responsibility for their behaviors and make positive changes. Recruitment typically begins in January. Diplomacy and fairness are great skills to take with you as you leave the university, so this is one volunteer opportunity that would be worth your while!

For more information, email Anna Williams at or call 231-3790.

Health Advocate Program

The Health Advocate Program is designed to meet the growing needs of Virginia Tech women. A designated woman is selected from each sorority to serve as a liaison and advocate on various women's issues. Health Advocates undergo specialized training by qualified professionals to learn how to confront a variety of issues college women face such as eating disorders, body image, healthy relationships, depression, anxiety, sexual assault, relationship violence, substance use, and reproductive health. They then address these health care concerns by providing education, emotional support, advocacy services, and referrals in their chapters. The Health Advocate Program is a collaborative effort between Fraternity and Sorority Life and the Women's Center.

For additional information email healthadvocates@vt.edu or call Melissa or Jessica at 231-7806.

Virginia Tech Women's Center Volunteer Program

AWARE Club: The AWARE Team develops curriculum and facilitates an educational program for 6th grade girls at Blacksburg Middle Schol. Virginia Tech women lead discussions on topics such as healthy relationships, body image and self-esteem, as well as facilitate workshops and mentor young girls. E-mail wc.aware@vt.edu for additional information.

Cornerstone: Cornerstone is a transitional housing program that consists of eight apartments and a community center funded by the Women's Resource Center of the New River Valley. Each semester, the Cornerstone team raises funds to decorate an apartment for a woman and her children who are leaving the shelter and beginning new lives free of domestic violence. E-mail wccornerstone@vt.edu for more information.

Science Inspirations: In partnership with Montgomery County Public Schools, this outreach initiative sends Virginia Tech student scientists into elementary school classrooms to teach lessons on various SOL topics in an engaging, hands-on way. The goal is to supplement and enhance the curriculum in 3rd, 4th and 5th grade classrooms in STEM-related subjects by presenting short lessons on an as-requested basis. Volunteers provide studens with an informative, interactive experience and highlight the presence of women in STEM fields. For more information, e-mail wc.stem@vt.edu.

V-Day: As part of the international campaign to nd violence against women and girls, the V-Day Initiative will produce "The Vagina Monologues" in Spring, 2008. Written by award winning playwright Eve Ensler, "The Vagina Monologues" is a work that celebrates womanhood, female sexuality and the mystery and complexity that revolves around vaginas. Volunteers are needed to help with publicity, production, fundraising , outreach and education. For more information, e-mail wc.vday@vt.edu.

The 2008 Chocolate Festival: In October, 2008 the Women's Center will host a chocolate festival to raise awareness about women's health issues and to raise funds for the Free Clinic of the New River Valley. Volunteers are needed in the spring and fall of 2008 to plan the event, which will include chocolate treats, live music, a silent auction and the women's health and wellness resource fair. E-mail chocolate@vt.edu for more information.

Women's Month in March: A non-profit community project funded by Virginia Tech, area organizations, student groups, local businesses and citizen's contributions, Women's Month programming is a university-wide series of events designed to recognize the accomplishments, concerns and diversity of womens' lives. Volunteers are needed to support Women's Month planning and programming throughout the month of March. For more information, e-mail womensmonth@vt.edu.

Women's Resource Center of the New River Valley, Volunteer Program Radford, Virginia

Volunteers are involved with a variety of activities, including direct service to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault (on the 24-hour hotline, face-to-face with shelter residents and their children, at police stations, hospitals, and in the courtroom settings). Volunteers also provide many other forms of auxiliary services including nutrition programs, hair-cutting, yardwork, volunteer training, pet therapy, volunteer recruitment, office work, technical assistance, art therapy and child care. Volunteers are integrated into the entire agency and their importance cannot be overestimated.

For more information, contact the Volunteer Coordinator by calling 639-1123 or visit their Web site www.wrcnrv.org.

Womanspace

This student group supports, promotes, and advocates for women's rights. They organize projects like the Take Back the Night rally and the Clothesline Project as well as maintain an active listserv. They find a creative format to promote resources for women every year and distribute them to all new students. To take a stand in the fight to end violence against women, this is a great organization to join!

For more information, Email Susan Anderson at or call 231-8041.

 

 

Grant statement: This project was supported by grant # 2005-WA-AX-0020 awarded by the Violence Against Women Office, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Points of View in this document are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.

 

 

Last updated 10/31/2007