Help Our Community By Becoming a Certified Crisis Hotline Volunteer

The New Year means something different to all of us -- it's often a time to reflect and, for some, to make resolutions.  Here at The Center for Sexual Assault Crisis Counseling and Education, it's also the time to begin our winter session of volunteer training for sexual assault crisis hotline volunteers. We cannot run our agency without these dedicated, caring people.  Our Sexual Assault Crisis Hotline serves victims in Darien, Greenwich, Norwalk, New Canaan, Stamford, Westport, Weston and Wilton.

The Center's Winter training session begins on Tuesday, January 15th at The Center, which is located at 700 Canal Street in Stamford.  All training is free and will take place on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6:00 - 8:00 P.M.  The training program runs for approximately 8 weeks.  A screening interview is the first step for all interested candidates.  All interested candidates should call The Center at 203-348-9346 to set up an appointment.

A bit about our hotline:  The Center staffs a 24-hour sexual assault crisis hotline that serves the eight towns of Lower Fairfield County -- and is always in need of additional volunteers.  All direct service volunteers must successfully complete its 35-hour hotline certification training program, which is broken down into two classes per week, two hours each, for approximately eight weeks.  Videos, role playing, and visits to hospitals and police stations all supplement the classroom-style discussions on topics including:  what is sexual assault/sexual harassment?, adult incest survivors, teen survivors, child sexual assault, how to talk to victims, and current trends such as sexting and human trafficking.

A bit about what you will do to help your community:   While there are many ways to help The Center, a volunteer’s primary role is to help The Center with the hotline. In addition to this role and depending on the time of year and the events that are happening at The Center, you will have the opportunity to help us with:

• Hotline: Work shifts for our 24-hour 7-day a week crisis hotline.  We require a minimum of four, 6-hour shifts per month
• Health Fairs: health fairs are a great opportunity to raise awareness about our services.
• Fundraising: volunteers are given the opportunity to attend and help with The Center’s fundraising events

A bit about The Center:  Serving Lower Fairfield County since 1979, The Center for Sexual Assault Crisis Counseling and Education provides free, 24-hour confidential help to men, women and children who have experienced any form of sexual assault.  Additionally, it provides age-appropriate personal safety classes for children ages 4 – 18 to reduce their risk of becoming a victim, and education/awareness programs for the community at large. The Center supports eight towns in Lower Fairfield County including:  Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford, Weston, Westport, and Wilton.  

To learn more or to get involved, contact The Center at 203-348-9346,  info@thecenter-ct.org, or visit www.thecenter-ct.org.