The Ulster County Crime Victims Assistance Program operates a 24-hour crisis hotline. We are always in need of compassionate individuals willing to volunteer coverage for evenings, weekends and holidays. After completion of a 30-hour training program, volunteers are certified as a Rape Crisis Counselor Volunteer, and can begin providing assistance to innocent victims of violence within our community.

The Role of Volunteers:
To provide immediate assistance to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence and other violent crimes via telephone or personal contact. Services are requested by victims, police, hospital or family through a 24-hour hotline. Trained volunteers staff the hotline when the office is closed in the evening, on weekends and holidays.

Volunteers offer telephone support, or will go with another volunteer to local hospitals or police facilities to provide information and support to the victim and family members. A telephone answering service and pagers enable volunteers to cover the hotline from anywhere in Ulster County.

Brief hotline reports are submitted to the office for follow-up by Crime Victims Assistance Program counselors.

Training:
The Crime Victims Assistance Program offers a 30 hour training leading to certification as a Rape Crisis Counselor/Volunteer, as established by the New York State Department of Health guidelines. The training prepares volunteers to understand and respond to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and other violent crimes. Participants will also learn about criminal justice and human service agencies in Ulster County.

Additional training sessions and general volunteer meetings provide ongoing training and support for active volunteers.

Responsibilities:
Upon successful completion of training, volunteers agree to provide one week of hotline coverage in each two month period. Hours of coverage are: Monday through Thursday from 5pm until 9am the following morning, and Friday from 5pm until Monday 9am. Volunteers are obligated to maintain strict confidentiality regarding victims, to abstain from using alcohol and other drugs while on-call, and to be non-judgmental and accepting of victims = circumstances and choices.

Within the first year of service, new volunteers must accumulate 10 additional hours of training.This requirement may be satisfied by attending regularly scheduled volunteer meetings and training sessions, approved conferences or workshops, or approved credit or non-credit courses.

Eligibility:
Volunteers must:

• be at least 18 years old;
• have reliable transportation and a clean driver's license;
• be an Ulster County resident.

If you are interested in volunteering for Crime Victim Assistance Program, please complete the application or contact our office at 845-340-3443 during business hours.

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