Volunteer Opportunities

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the Domestic Violence Center of Howard County (DVC).

Our volunteer application process begins by completing the Volunteer Application Packet. The Volunteer Application Packet includes:

  • The DVC History
  • Service Overview and Volunteer Positions Descriptions
  • Application
  • Three Reference Forms (professional and/or personal references.  Non-family members please)
  • Background Check Form

Volunteer Positions Include:

  • Childcare Assistants: Volunteers help provide much-needed on-site child care for our clients. Volunteers can play games, read stories, and create art while supervising children during their parents counseling sessions. Volunteers are needed during the day and evenings, Monday-Thursday.  Must be at least 16 years of age and have parental consent.

  • Hospital Accompaniment Advocate:  The Hospital Accompaniment Advocate is an on-call volunteer position. The advocate is responsible for responding to Howard County General Hospital within 30 minutes of receiving a call, to provide comfort, support and advocacy to survivors of sexual assault. Extensive training and TB testing required. Must be at least 21 years of age.

  • Law Clerks and Legal Interns: Law students and undergraduates pursuing degrees in family law, criminal/civil justice, human services and related fields are welcome to apply as volunteer law clerks and legal interns with the DVC.   Law clerks and interns may provide case support to staff attorneys and paralegals which could include intake interviews, case file maintenance, client contact, research, and drafting of correspondence and pleadings.  Volunteers may also assist with outreach and education relating to legal rights and process for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.  Law clerks/interns are supervised by a licensed attorney and program manager. Every effort will be made to coordinate clerkships/internships to provide for the needs of the applicant and to fulfill the requirements of sponsoring institutions if done for school credit. Must be 18 at least years of age.  Additional conditions and supplemental interview processes with the legal department apply.

  • Program Assistants: The DVC is always in need of dependable volunteers who have experience with general office duties. These volunteers will help answer phones, perform data entry, assist with copying, and filing.  These volunteers are needed weekdays during the hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Must be at least 18 years of age.

  • Residential Assistants: Volunteers meet monthly (usually on the third Saturday of each month) to work on miscellaneous shelter projects. This may include gardening, yard work, painting rooms, cleaning, grocery shopping, or even projects that volunteers propose. This is a great opportunity for volunteers with specialized talent or skills! Must be at least 18 years of age.

  • Special Event Assistants: Throughout the year we host and attend special events including fairs, workshops, seminars and fundraisers. Volunteers help ensure the success of these events by helping with set up/clean up, greeting participants, assisting with technology, serving as a photographer and other tasks as needed.  Must be at least 16 years of age and have parental consent.

  • Volunteer Legal Advocates: The Department of Legal Services at the DVC offers a number of volunteer opportunities for individuals who would like to provide legal advocacy to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.  A current opportunity includes the Volunteer Legal Advocacy Project which provides outreach and support for survivors at the courthouse. This is a great opportunity for students and community members to lend support to survivors navigating the criminal and civil justice systems.  Must be at least 18 years of age.    Additional conditions and supplemental interview processes with the legal department apply.

Eligibility Requirements for Volunteering include:

  • Minimum age requirement is 18 years of age with the exception of child care assistants, certain special events and administrative projects (with parental consent).
  • Must complete a volunteer application packet which includes, volunteer application, reference forms, confidentiality/ boundaries policies and a background check.
  • Must pass background check.
  • Must attend assigned orientation and training meetings.
  • Must not have been a DVC client within the past two years.

The Domestic Violence Center accepts the service of volunteers with the understanding that such service is at the sole discretion of the agency and has the right to accept or deny any volunteer services without reason.

To learn more please contact us at  volunteer@dvcenter.org or (410) 997 – 0304.