Volunteer
Overview
The Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center provides services to children and families who are victims of abuse. We conduct videotaped forensic interviews of children ages 2 to 17 upon referral from law enforcement or children’s protective services. In addition we provide referral information to parents regarding counseling and community resources. Volunteer hours are flexible between our office hours which are Monday - Friday - 8:30- 5:30.
Volunteers can help us by:
• Interacting with children and families who come to the Center, making them feel comfortable and at ease. Includes engaging children in activities such as playing a board game, coloring, reading or watching a movie.
• Contacting by phone, non-offending caregivers to complete a client satisfaction survey of their services received at The Bridge.
• Sorting through donations - stuffed animals, toys, juice and crackers.
• Ensuring that toy shelf, refrigerator, and crackers are stocked, and ready for children and families.
• Obtaining and recording dispositions from partner agencies.
• Assisting in gathering statistical data of cases referred to The Bridge.
• Distributing surveys to families for satisfaction of services received from counselors.
• Scanning client paper files into computer filing system.
• Assisting with community education programs and health fairs.
• Planting and maintaining flower beds.
• Decorating for holidays.
• Assisting during special events - Kid day (one Saturday in April), Bridal Show, Christmas Reception, other fundraising or awareness events.
• Assisting with maintenance needs - replacing lights (indoor and outdoor), shoveling snow, touch up painting, etc.
• Assisting with PS It’s my Body presentation for K-5th graders. Nichole Vigil would be your contact.
To Become A Volunteer:
1. Contact The Bridge Children’s Advocacy Center at 806-372-2873, and ask to speak to the volunteer coordinator.
2. The Volunteer Coordinator will ask for your contact information, and send you a volunteer application to complete.
3. As a part of the volunteer application, a criminal background and CANRIS (Child Abuse & Neglect Central Registry) check will be completed.
4. You will meet with the volunteer coordinator to discuss your interests, take a tour of our agency, and set up when you would like to volunteer.
5. Training will be individualized and based upon your interests. Training for each volunteer will also include an overview of our agency, observation of the community education programs, introduction to child abuse and how to respond to questions and situations that you may come in contact with while you are volunteering.
To request an application or for more information about volunteering e-mail: bridge@bridgecac.org.
