About the Violence Prevention Center of Southwestern Illinois and How You Can Help

The Violence Prevention Center of Southwestern Illinois (VPCSWI) helps local women and children living with domestic violence. Services provided include crisis intervention, court and legal advocacy, emergency shelter, prevention programs, and long-term counseling and education with programs in St. Clair, Monroe, and Randolph counties in Illinois. All services provided by the VPCSWI are free of charge. Most volunteer positions require between 4 - 15 hours of training, depending on the volunteer job desired. Some positions will require a criminal background check, reference check, and signed statement of confidentiality. A references check and a signed application also must be completed before the VPCSWI will conduct a formal interview. Training Coordinator, Debra Mize, and Director of Development, Casey Hagarty, will conduct training and all required background investigation before your volunteer work may begin. The goal of the VPCSWI volunteer program is to enable volunteers to quickly begin their volunteer service.


Volunteer Job Opportunities


Child Group Assistant
Assists VPCSWI staff with children during group therapy activities, homework, or playtime. Shifts are available at 10:00 a.m., 4:00 p.m., or 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Volunteer Librarian
Manages and organizes VPCSWI resource materials, keeps book inventory and materials organized. Shifts are available anytime Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Administrative Volunteer
Assists administrative and prevention staff with mailings, filing, craft projects, and data entry. Shifts are available anytime Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Shelter Assistant
Shelter Assistant: Works with House Manager to keep the Charles T. and Joan Meyer Women's Shelter organized and running smoothly. Shifts are available anytime Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Greeter
Answers telephone and acts as receptionist for client appointments.

Community Liaison
Delivers speeches to community organizations/schools/companies on behalf of the VPCSWI; staffs booths
at health/school/volunteer fairs. Times vary.

Hotline
Answers hotline calls and acts as receptionist for client appointments. Shifts are available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.

Part-Time Volunteer
Assists the VPC with activities on an as needed basis. Activities can include administrative, fundraising, or community education. Assignments can range from helping stuff envelopes for a direct mail campaign, to help setting up or working a fundraising event, to helping us staff health fair booths.

 

Other volunteer opportunities that utilize current skills, professional qualifications, or general interests not requiring domestic violence training are listed below. The amount of time required for these positions is based on the project.

Shelter Shop
Sorts, organizes, tags, and displays items donated to the VPCSWI Shelter Shop. The resale store accepts pre-owned clothing, furniture, and household items in good condition and is staffed by volunteers. Those interested in volunteering at the Shelter Shop should call (618) 234-4704.

Maintenance/Gardening
Landscapes and maintains the VPCSWI garden areas or does light maintenance work at the Charles T. and Joan Meyer Women's Shelter.

Fundraising Volunteer
Helps VPCSWI staff members and fellow volunteers plan, organize, staff, clean up, etc. special events.

Expert Volunteer
Presents, upon approval of the presentation's content, information in which they may have special knowledge.

Committee Members


If you are interested in becoming a member on one of the following committees, please call Casey Hagarty at 236-2531, ext. 106. Committees are Program, Marketing, Shelter Shop, Community Education, Outreach (Monroe/Randolph County residents), Property Management, Volunteer, Personnel, Membership, Finance, and
Resource Development. (indicate committee of interest)

Domestic Violence Training


Those interested in receiving domestic violence training for job or college requirements can receive 40 hours of training from the VPCSWI, an Illinois certified training site. This training is required for anyone seeking certification as an Illinois Domestic Violence Professional. A non-returnable $250 fee is assessed to anyone taking this training. If a training student completes the required volunteer time at the VPCSWI during the year following completion of training, $100 will be returned. Only 40-hour trained volunteers are eligible to lead and develop women's or children's group education sessions or answer the 24-hour domestic violence crisis line.

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