Partners Against Violence Seeking Volunteers to Join the Fight Against Sexual Violence

Volunteers play a vital role in providing support to those affected by sexual violence

June 23, 2022 – San Bernardino, Calif. – Partners Against Violence is seeking volunteers to join in the fight against sexual violence. A wide variety of opportunities exist, from serving as a victim advocate, to lending a hand to in planning a special event or fundraiser for Partners Against Violence.

Every 2 minutes another American is sexually assaulted, affecting 1 in 4 women, and 1 in 33 men in the United States.

“Partners Against Violence is committed to providing support services to those in the Inland Empire affected by sexual violence,” said Michelle Cates, Executive Director. “Volunteers play a vital role at Partners Against Violence, and we are always in need of caring, compassionate volunteers to help us carry out our mission.”

Partners Against Violence is a local rape crisis center with four offices throughout the Inland Empire. In addition to operating a 24-hour crisis telephone hotline (909-885-8884), Partners Against Violence offers survivors and their families programs such as counseling, accompaniment, advocacy, resources, referrals, and support groups along with community-wide prevention education, awareness programs, and community engagement.

Volunteers are not required to have previous training, and anyone can volunteer. Opportunities are open in many areas, such as:

• Victim Advocate Volunteer: Answer calls to our 24-hour crisis telephone hotline and provide in-person emergency response support.

• Office Volunteer: Help out in our office(s) with mailings, data entry, phone calls, and other administrative tasks.

• Development Volunteer: Help us raise money. This can include helping with events, mailings, and other fundraising efforts.

• Outreach Volunteer: Help us educate the public. This might include speaking to groups, making presentations to students, or staffing our table at community events.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to give back to the Inland Empire by helping Survivors of sexual assault by volunteering at Partners Against Violence. I also like that it’s easy to volunteer with flexible positions and hours,” said Anna Vargas, Partners Against Violence volunteer.

Volunteer Brenda Solorzano-Guido is presented her volunteer training completion certificate by Executive Director Michelle Cates and Director of Volunteers and Training Services Arlinda Wilson

The next Victim Advocate Volunteer training class begins Monday, August 1, 2022 and runs through Saturday, August 27, 2022. The class will be conducted via Zoom on Mondays and Thursdays from 5:30 p.m. - 9 p.m. and three in-person Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Volunteers from the San Bernardino, Morongo Basin, Coachella Valley and surrounding areas are welcome.

For more information on volunteer opportunities contact Arlinda Wilson, Director of Volunteers and Training Services at 909-885-8884, email volunteer@partnersav.org, or visit: partnersagainstviolence.org/volunteer.

For help, contact our local 24/7 Crisis Hotline (909-885-8884), the National Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656-4673), or the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline (www.rainn.org)

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About Partners Against Violence:

Partners Against Violence provides support for Survivors of sexual assault and violent crimes. All of our services are confidential and available at no cost to Survivors, their significant others, and family members. We are partners committed to building healthy relationships, families, communities, and generations that are free from violence.