Volunteer

Life’s most urgent question is: What are you doing for others? – Martin Luther King, Jr.

Every year, YWCA Yakima serves over 6,000 individuals impacted by domestic violence. You can help by volunteering.

We are so excited that you are interested in being a volunteer with YWCA Yakima. We rely on passionate volunteers to fulfill our mission of eliminating racism, empowering women and providing a safe and supportive place where victims of domestic violence are able to heal and become self-reliant survivors.

We have two different ways you can be involved:

Non-Direct Client Services
Direct Client Services

Non-direct volunteer services allow you to work in the facility and around participants, but you cannot provide volunteer services directly to families and children in our program. In order to volunteer to assist with non-direct services you are required to complete 2.0 hours of orientation which includes an introduction to our services and online training video of 1.5 hours.

Some examples of non-direct services can include but are not limited to:

Donation room sorting and organization
Training on answering phones and supporting at the front desk
Helping the team collect stories of survivors from our on-site advocates
Assisting a client find work appropriate clothing at Persimmon Boutique through our Working Woman’s Wardrobe
Baking birthday cakes or providing a meal for the families living in our shelter
Teach skills and workshops for participants and children
Participate in outreach and community information booths
Help provide childcare during women’s support groups and or family events
Provide client pampering: hair, nails, massages, movie night, etc.
Work with individuals and/or youth on individual tutoring

In order to provide direct community service work with participants, volunteers are encouraged to complete the required to complete a total of 20-hour advocacy-based training with our YWCA Yakima team. This includes 15 hours of advocacy-based classes and 5 hours of advocate job shadowing. Advocacy training hours are scheduled upon volunteer’s schedule and regularly upon volunteer coordinators training schedule throughout the year.

Please fill out a volunteer application or reach out to our Outreach staff for more information.

Examples of direct client services include:

Assist with crisis calls, safety planning and referrals with participants in needs
Provide advocacy-based services
Support participants with respite care when needed it
Provide emotional support to participants
Attend court with participants upon safety planning with legal advocate staff
Provide advocacy support to housing and emergency program advocates
Assist participants with applications, or community referral forms
Help facilitate domestic violence groups, or support groups with staff
Assist family & children’s advocate in creating age-appropriate activities, assist with family events, help to facilitate children’s groups
Help share awareness of services during informational and community booths
Other services can be discussed with outreach staff team…

If you have something that you would like to do for the families who live at YWCA Yakima that you do not see listed above, feel free to contact our Outreach Coordinator, Dani: daguilar@ywcayakima.org , or our Director of Development and Outreach, Lisa: lkapuza@ywcayakima.org.

Download the Volunteer Application HERE or email Dani, daguilar@ywcayakima.org .

This application is designed to help clarify your goals in volunteering with the YWCA Yakima. It will also aid both you and staff in matching your skills and goals with the volunteer positions available at the YWCA. The information you provide will be kept confidential. Once the application is received we will schedule a time to meet with a YWCA Staff Member then schedule training pursuant to the volunteer position.

Date
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Name
First Last
Date of birth
Location of Birth
Gender
Are you under the age of 18?
All individuals under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian when volunteering. Please provide the following contact information for a parent or guardian.
First Last
Parent/Guardian Address
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
Parent/Guardian Phone
Participant Address
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
Participant Phone
Participant Email
Do you have transportation ?
Drivers License Number
Issuing State
Can you provide proof of insurance?
Employer
Employer Phone Number
Employer Address
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
Languages other than English ?
Education
How did you hear about our volunteer opportunities?
Please list experience and education that prepares you for volunteering at the YWCA?
Non-Direct Client Services
- Donation Center Sorting
- Community Outreach Events
- Volunteering at YWCA Events/Fundraisers
- Social Justice Committee
- Assisting with Child Care (Training Needed)
Direct Client Services (20 hour Advocacy Training Required)
- Ability to Take Crisis Calls/ Complete Screenings/Intakes
- Volunteer On-Call Advocacy (on-call or a scheduled shift)
- Assist with calls and reception desk needs
Have you filled out a volunteer application in the past?
When are you available to start volunteering ?
Emergency Contact Name
First Last
Emergency Contact Address
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
Emergency Contact Phone
Relationship to Applicant
Yes, I Consent.*

As a volunteer applicant for YWCA of Yakima, I hereby authorize the YWCA Yakima to conduct a background investigation to determine my qualifications to participate as a volunteer in this program.

I understand that the background investigation I am authorizing will be conducted solely for the purpose of protecting and preventing anyone who may require the services of the YWCA of Yakima and all information obtained in a background investigation will be treated as confidential by the YWCA of Yakima.
Please Initial*
Informed Consent and Release of Liability for Youth Under 18*
Yes, I agree to the Consent and Release of Liability for Youth Under 18
This informed consent and release form, executed on ____________________ (TODAY’S DATE), serves to document the agreement between (PRINTED NAME OF PARENT/GUARDIAN) _________________________________ and YWCA of Yakima (herein known as YWCA) in regards to the voluntary involvement of (PRINTED NAME OF YOUTH) ___________________________. By signing below, I agree to the following terms:
1. Involvement: I hereby acknowledge that the above mentioned youth is entering into this agreement voluntarily without any expectation of any form of monetary compensation. I acknowledge that the above mentioned youth is not an employee of the YWCA.
2. Release of Liability: I hereby release and forever discharge and hold harmless the YWCA, its staff, clients, volunteers, successors, assignees and agents from any and all liability, claims, and demands of whatever kind or nature which may arise during or as a result of the above mentioned youth’s voluntary involvement with the YWCA. I understand that I am releasing the YWCA from any liability in respect to bodily injury, personal injury, illness, death or property damage that may result from the above mentioned youth’s voluntary involvement with the YWCA, whether caused by negligence or otherwise. PLEASE INITIAL ________
3. Assumption of Risk: I hereby acknowledge that while participating with the YWCA, the above mentioned youth may be exposed to hazardous environment or working conditions. I also acknowledge that while participating with the YWCA, the above mentioned youth may be exposed to individuals with illness that include, but are not limited to HIV, hepatitis, MRSA, tuberculosis, influenza, lice, shingles and bed bugs. PLEASE INITIAL ________
4. Medical Treatment: I hereby release the YWCA from any claims that may arise as a result of any First Aid treatment or service administered in connection with the above mentioned youth’s voluntary involvement with the YWCA. Furthermore, I hereby give authorization for the YWCA to seek professional medical attention for the above mentioned youth should he/she become incapacitated or should professional medical attention be needed.
5. Insurance: I hereby release the YWCA from any responsibility or obligation to provide medical, health or disability insurance in excess of what it currently provides.
6. Law: I hereby acknowledge that while engaged in voluntary involvement with the YWCA, the above mentioned youth shall abide by all federal laws and all laws of the state of Washington.
7. Media: I hereby agree and give my consent for the above mentioned youth to be interviewed, photographed, filmed, videotaped and/or sound- recorded. I understand the story of his/her volunteer experience, his/her words and/or images may appear in media (print/broadcast), and/or in advertising, publicity, fundraising, social media or informational material of the YWCA or affiliated organizations, including publication, website, video, etc. for up to 5 years. I waive all compensation for such use and I give the YWCA permission to use his/her full name in its publications.
Please Initial (Parent or Guardian)
Domestic Violence Policy*
I agree to the Domestic Violence Policy
YWCA values all if its employees, and their safety and security are very important to the YWCA. YWCA will not tolerate threats, threatening behavior, harassment, stalking, or any other acts of violence against any of its employees, or any other persons on company property by anyone. Domestic violence is a criminal activity and it is YWCA’s policy that arrest is presumed the most appropriate response.

Any individual who makes threats, stalks, displays threatening behavior, or commits violent acts on YWCA property shall be removed from the premises as quickly as safety permits, and law enforcement will be immediately contacted. YWCA will respond to the behavior based on the needs of the affected employee and to protect all other employees. The response may include, but is not limited to:

a. Suspension or termination of an offending employee;
b. Obtaining a retaining order;
c. Altering the affected employee’s work schedule, or providing them with needed time off;
d. Referring the employee to the employee assistance program;
e. Providing referrals to local domestic violence services;

No existing YWCA policy or procedure shall be construed to obstruct decisions to prevent a threat from being carried out, a violent act from occurring, or a life-threatening situation from developing.

All employees of the YWCA are responsible for notifying their supervisor or the Executive Director/CEO of any threats that have been personally observed, received, or has been told that another employee has observed or received at the workplace.

Employees are responsible for making this report regardless of the relationship between the individual who initiated the behavior and the person(s) who threatened or were the focus of the threatening behavior. The Executive Director/CEO or notified supervisor will document all threats, stalking, threatening behavior or violence acts, employee’s concerns about their safety, as well as all measures taken to address those concerns.

All employees who apply for, or obtain, a domestic violence protection order or other restraining order which lists the YWCA’s location(s) as being protected areas must provide to management representative a copy of the petition copy of the petition and any temporary protection or restraining order which is granted, as a copy of the final permanent protection or restraining order, so that appropriate security measures can be taken.

Any employee of YWCA arrested for, or issued a permanent injunction for an incident of domestic violence (either through self-reporting or through documentation), may be subject to immediate suspension without pay or termination. If not terminated, the employee shall meet with the Executive Director/CEO and be referred to the company’s employee assistance program (EAP) for assessment. Based upon the recommendations of the EAP counselor, a possible referral to a state certified treatment program might be necessary. Referrals made to any program shall be noted in the employee’s confidential medical file. It is the responsibility of the employee to occur all costs associated with participation in certified batterer’s treatment program. To the extent possible, YWCA will make every effort to grant leave time or adjust an employee’s work schedule for the purpose of contacting and/or arranging for services from a certified perpetrator’s treatment program. YWCA understands the sensitivities of the information requested and has developed confidentiality procedures that recognized and respect the privacy of the reporting employee (s).

I have read, understand, and agree to abide by the conditions stated.
Please Initial*

Every year, YWCA Yakima serves over 6,000 individuals impacted by domestic violence. You can help by volunteering.

We have two different ways you can be involved:

Thank you for your interest in Volunteering at the YWCA Yakima. We look forward to meeting you!