Healthy relationships: Volunteer with Centre Safe, join group of people doing critical work

In a typical year, counselor/advocates from Centre Safe answer more than 2,000 hotline calls from people seeking services connected to experiences with dating/domestic violence, sexual violence and stalking. In 2022 alone, Centre Safe supported approximately 900 victims/survivors of domestic violence across Centre County and nearly 200 victims/survivors of sexual assault.

While Centre Safe provides critical services like emergency shelter/housing, counseling, advocacy, legal support, education and more, we are so incredibly thankful for our volunteers and the support and services they provide throughout the year. Our dedicated counselor/advocates are the volunteers of Centre Safe, and without them we could not provide the level of support that our clients need throughout Centre County.

You have an opportunity to become a part of an important group of people doing this critical work. We invite you to join a diverse, dedicated cohort of Centre County residents in our winter virtual volunteer training program.

Classes will be held virtually on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6-9 p.m. Jan. 16 to April 11. The process to apply for the program is simple: email Volunteer Coordinator Frankie Urrutia-Smith for the application. Her email is furrutiasmith@centresafe.org. You can also call her at 814-238-7066. Once you have the application, you just complete and return it (electronically, by mail, or in person) by Jan. 5 or as soon as possible. Urrutia-Smith will then contact you to schedule an interview to discuss the volunteer program in detail and determine compatibility with the program.

Shortly after the interview you will be notified if you are accepted. Volunteers must obtain FBI clearances; Centre Safe will facilitate criminal history and child abuse clearances. We do not charge a fee for the training; however, we do require that trainees make a one-year commitment to the program, during which you agree to take at least four shifts per month for those 12 months. These shifts can include in-person or remote work.

We realize that many community members would like to assist in the work of Centre Safe but cannot make the time commitment or are not interested in becoming a certified counselor/advocate. Never fear. You can still contact Urrutia-Smith for the other ways our volunteers can support Centre Safe without working hotline.

Before becoming executive director of Centre Safe, I started as a volunteer while balancing a full-time job elsewhere. As someone who has fielded hotline calls, supported victims at the hospital after they experienced assault, and more, I can tell you the power in just listening to a person in need, holding a hand when asked, and just being there for a human being is massive. You are enough. You are capable. You are who a future client needs. Reach out!