Volunteer

Volunteers help SAHELI assist Asian victims of abuse and domestic violence by allowing SAHELI to expand its services to more clients in the Austin community. If you are interested in volunteering, please fill out an application and attend one of our volunteer orientations.

To complete the application click the application link.

The following orientation dates are available:
Participants must email vluu@saheli-austin.org by March 1st to RSVP

  • March 6th, 2010, 1:00PM - 5:00PM

In addition to our general orientation, more specialized trainings may be required.

All volunteers must consent to a background check.

Our current volunteer opportunities generally fall into one of the following categories:

DIRECT SERVICES

  • Advocate. In order to work with clients, you will have to go through a 40 hr training, typically with SafePlace, in addition to our volunteer orientation and an interview process with our Family Advocate. As an advocate, you will help by providing peer counseling, crisis intervention, and overall support to survivors. All advocates will be under the guidance of and work closely with the Family Advocate and will need to attend monthly meetings. The following is what we look for in an advocate: excellent listening skills, counseling experience, the ability to dedicate at least a year to SAHELI.
  • Helpline/Resource Line Volunteer. The SAHELI helpline is a 24 hour voicemail service. Clients can leave a message in any Asian language and a helpline volunteer will call them back. These volunteers offer immediate and confidential crisis intervention, information, referrals, and problem-solving assistance to the caller. You will be required to attend our general volunteer orientation in addition to a General Direct Services Training and Helpline Training.

INTERPRETING AND TRANSLATING

One of the biggest barriers our clients face is not being able to understand the English language. Interpreters and translators help increase client access to services by assisting in translations and providing interpretive services when clients are working with SAHELI staff, doctors, lawyers, schools, and other service providers. Daytime availability is preferred but not required, and this position is ideal for those fluent in English and any Asian language. You are required to attend our general orientation as well as the 24 hour Interpreter Training provided by SAHELI, a General Direct Services Training, and at your option a general Community Education training.

COMMUNITY EDUCATION

  • Community Speaker. Community Speakers provide information on a variety of topics including special issues relating to the Asian population, why there is a need for SAHELI services, and various cultural competency related topics. You are required to attend our general orientation, a General Community Education training, and interview with the Community Educator.
  • Booth Assistant. In order to generate awareness in the Asian communities, SAHELI attends numerous events throughout the year including resource fairs and cultural festivals. Volunteers attending to the booth ensure that information on the dynamics of domestic violence in the Asian communities and services offered by SAHELI are publicized. You are required to attend our general orientation and a General Community Education training.

PUBLIC RELATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS

  • Graphic Designer. This position is ideal for those who have experience with creating brochures, posters, layouts for newsletters, and are creative thinkers. Having knowledge of Adobe InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator is a plus.
  • Web Developer. This position is ideal for those interested in and have experience with web design, development, and maintenance. You will ensure material is updated and edited on SAHELI’s website. Familiarity with Druapal a plus.
  • Writer/Editor. SAHELI has two main publications: the E News and the printed newsletter. Writers and editors contribute thoughts and ideas and work closely with the Community Educator.
  • Public Relations/Media Coordinator. Raising community awareness is essential in creating social change. SAHELI has established relationships with local media outlets and would like to foster and continue this growth. This position is ideal for those that have experience in this field and are creative thinkers.

FUNDRAISING AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Grant Writer Assistant. To sustain SAHELI’s critical programs, the agency submits numerous private foundation and government grants every year. We need members to assist with researching, writing, and reviewing grants. Grant writers are required to have strong research and writing skills and attend team meetings.
  • Fundraising Planning Committee. Fundraising projects include annual campaigns, events, and community collaborations. Experience with project planning, fund development, and event planning is a plus. As a member of this committee you will be required to attend committee meetings, which occur twice a month typically.

ADMINISTRATIVE

  • Research Volunteer. Research Volunteers assist with projects relating to domestic violence and other topics that are closely aligned with domestic violence issues.
  • Clerical/Database Volunteer. Clerical Volunteers assist with various administrative projects such as copying, mailing, filing, and updating databases. We currently use Access and E-Tapestry databases.

INTERNSHIPS

SAHELI accepts semester or year long interns. For more information on this, please contact us and let us know your particular interests and we will see if that matches our needs at that time.

DAY-OF EVENT VOLUNTEERS

Day-of Event Volunteers assist with various events throughout the year and will help the day of the event with set up and assisting us as needed, and then also before and after the event as needed.

Please contact the volunteer coordinator, Vinnie Luu, at (512) 369-5951 or at vluu@saheli-austin.org for more information.