Volunteer Class

Our Fall Volunteer Training Program takes place from May 9 through August 3

In a typical year, counselor/advocates from Centre Safe answer over 2,000 hotline calls from people seeking domestic-, sexual-, dating violence and stalking services. They respond to the hospital approximately 50 times to accompany victims in the wake of a sexual assault. And they assist nearly 150 women and children who seek shelter services at the Sylvia Stein Shelter. Amazingly, these counselor/advocates do so for no pay and little public recognition. They are the volunteers of Centre Safe and without them we could not provide the level of support that survivors of domestic and sexual violence throughout Centre County need.

You have an opportunity to become a part of an elite group of people doing this critical work. Twice a year a diverse, dedicated group of Centre County residents embark on an 80-hour training program, working to become certified Counselor/Advocates. Classes will be a hybrid of in-person and virtual training with some online coursework, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:00p.m.-9:00 p.m.

The process of joining the Volunteer Training Program is fairly simple: Download the Volunteer Application

• Complete and return the application (electronically, by mail, or in person) by April 29  or as soon as possible.
• The Director of Volunteer programs will then contact you to schedule an interview to discuss the volunteer program in detail and determine compatibility with the program.
• Shortly after the interview you will be notified of acceptance.
• Volunteers must obtain FBI clearance before training begins; Centre Safe will facilitate criminal history and child abuse clearances.

We do not charge a fee for the training, however we do require a one year commitment be made to the program during which you take at least 4 shifts per month for those 12 months.

We realize that many community members would like to assist in the work of Centre Safe but cannot make the time commitment or are not interested in becoming a certified Counselor/Advocate. To learn of other volunteer needs please contact mhall@centresafe.org.