Volunteer Sexual Assault Counselor

Show your passion by empowering youth and families when joining the Wayside team!

Wayside is one of Massachusetts' most respected youth and family-serving agencies, supporting more than 6,000 youth and families annually across Central, Eastern, and Northeastern regions.

Wayside offers a learning environment – free trainings and CEUs. We provide a teamwork atmosphere and career development support – a great place to grow your career!!!

Join Wayside Trauma Intervention Services as a Volunteer Sexual Assault Counselor for Evenings, Overnights, and Weekends.

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of survivors of sexual assault? Wayside Trauma Intervention Services seeks dedicated volunteers to join our team as Evening and Overnight Sexual Assault Counselors. Your support can provide crucial assistance to those in need during their most vulnerable moments.

Key Responsibilities

• 24-Hour Hotline and Crisis Intervention: Provide immediate support and crisis intervention via our 24-hour hotline.
• Supportive Counseling: Offer individual and group counseling to help survivors navigate their healing journey.
• Hospital and Medical Advocacy: Accompany survivors to hospitals during their Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Exam, offering emotional support and advocacy.
• Legal Advocacy and Safety Planning: Assist survivors with legal processes, develop personalized safety plans, and learn to navigate the criminal justice and police systems.
• Community Outreach and Education: Engage in community outreach to raise awareness and educate the public about sexual assault.
• Tailored Referrals and Resources: Connect survivors with resources and referrals that meet their unique needs.
• Multilingual Counseling Services: Provide English, Spanish, or Portuguese counseling.

Whom We’re Looking For

• Compassionate Communicators: Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills are essential for responding to crises and working effectively under pressure, both independently and as part of a team.
• Survivor Support: Survivors of past violence must be emotionally ready to assist others and be at least one year past their own assault/abuse experience.
• Sobriety Commitment and Background Check: All Applicants must be substance-use-free and sober for at least one year before training and consent to a criminal background check (CORI).
• Ongoing Supervision: Monthly volunteer supervision meetings are mandatory to guarantee that all volunteers receive the necessary support, and that paperwork is submitted on time. Some monthly meetings will be held in person, while the majority will offer a hybrid option. Your participation in these meetings will be crucial.
• Age and Training Requirements: Volunteers must be 18+
• Training and Commitment: The Sexual Assault Counselor Certification requires attendance at all 40 hours of pre-service training sessions, with a preferred one-year volunteering commitment.
• Flexible Hours: Enjoy flexible hours for helpline shifts.
• A dependable cellular device and vehicle are necessary to respond to the helpline and local hospitals within one hour of a request.

Why Volunteer with Us?

• Make a Real Impact: Your support can change lives and provide hope to survivors.
• Comprehensive Training: Gain valuable skills and knowledge through our 40-hour pre-service training program and complimentary access to the Wayside Equity and Training Center
• Supportive Community: Join a team of dedicated professionals and volunteers committed to making a difference.
• Flexible Scheduling: Volunteer hours that fit your lifestyle and availability.

If you’re ready to make a difference and support survivors of sexual assault, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today to join our compassionate and dedicated Wayside Trauma Intervention Services team.