Volunteer Opportunities
The focus of Rockford Sexual Assault Counseling, Inc. (RSAC) is to provide services to survivors of sexual assault/abuse, and to educate the community to reduce the risk of sexual violence. This is done through emergency services, emotional support, counseling, referral, volunteer advocacy, and education in Winnebago, Boone, and Ogle counties.
We our seeking passionate and reliable Volunteer Advocates in all three counties to provide advocacy and support to survivors of sexual assault or abuse and their families. Volunteer Advocates are trained to provide crisis-intervention, referrals, and a one-on-one telephone follow-up with survivors.
View the different ways you can make a difference in someone's life below!
Volunteer Advocate
Volunteer Advocates are essential in helping survivors feel heard and supported, and to identify their options after a recent sexual assault. Our Volunteer Advocates fill a monthly on-call schedule for our 24-hour crisis hotline, after hours weeknights and weekends.
Volunteers are responsible for:
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Volunteer Advocate Shifts: (4:30pm-8:30am weeknights, 4pm-4pm(24hours) Fri/Sat, and 4pm-8:30am Sunday). |
Event/Non-Crisis Volunteer |
Board of Directors |
Event volunteers are needed to help host events such as our annual and fundraising and events. You may also volunteer for:
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The Board of Directors overseas the operations of RSAC to make sure RSAC stays consistent with the mission and purpose amongst other important responsibilities. If you are interested in learning more about the application process for the Board of Directors, please contact the executive director for more information.
CLICK HERE to view Board Member Shout-Outs!
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Volunteer Requirements
Why Volunteer?-Receive letters of recommendation -Put on your resume -Ability to transfer 40-hour training to other agencies -Fulfill requirements of internships or community work for school -Feel a sense of purpose -Give back to your community -Pay it forward |
40-Hour TrainingEach RSAC Staff and Volunteer is required to be trained through Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault (ICASA) with a maximum of 40 hours (30-hrs in class, 10-hrs independent study). Through training you will gain crucial information and a new prospective on sexual assault and other forms of violence, learning new things about yourself and the world around you.
Topics will include:
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Empathy in Action, Words From an Advocate
Written 4/27/22
There are two primary (and equally important) methods that people engage in to support the non-profits they feel strongly about: donation and service. In terms of the former, RSAC recently moved offices to a larger, more welcoming space that is going to greatly and positively affect the experience of survivors who seek our services. The donations of both funds and items from our wish list by everyone who contributed to the fundraiser were absolutely essential in making the new location a space where survivors can feel comfortable and safe. There is often a taboo surrounding discussion of money when it comes to non-profits, but the fact is that funding is required to provide top tier services. The space (physical and emotional) RSAC provides really is different and it has its own unique set of requirements. We are all so grateful for every one of you who stepped up and donated to ensure we have what we need to best serve our clients.
There are two primary (and equally important) methods that people engage in to support the non-profits they feel strongly about: donation and service. In terms of the former, RSAC recently moved offices to a larger, more welcoming space that is going to greatly and positively affect the experience of survivors who seek our services. The donations of both funds and items from our wish list by everyone who contributed to the fundraiser were absolutely essential in making the new location a space where survivors can feel comfortable and safe. There is often a taboo surrounding discussion of money when it comes to non-profits, but the fact is that funding is required to provide top tier services. The space (physical and emotional) RSAC provides really is different and it has its own unique set of requirements. We are all so grateful for every one of you who stepped up and donated to ensure we have what we need to best serve our clients.
This brings me to the topic of service. There is no doubt that donating funds and wish list items has an immeasurable effect on the experience of survivors who walk through our doors. It changes them. But volunteering as an advocate has an added bonus: it changes you too. Primary among the duties of our volunteer advocates is being on call (usually just one or two nights a month) so that if someone is taken to a hospital after an assault, a volunteer from RSAC can be there to, well, be with them. That’s it. And the fact that our role is so simply defined is exactly the point. Unlike nurses or investigators who all have specific tasks they must perform, RSAC advocates have no mandate other than to support the survivor. We are in their corner – whatever that looks like. In a room full of people asking questions and performing examinations, we are the one party that requires nothing from them. In an environment that can be confusing and chaotic, we are a reminder that there is a human being at the center of all this and we want to make them as comfortable as possible during this emotional event.
If you’re like me, that all sounds pretty daunting. It took me a long time to sign up as a volunteer with RSAC not only because I didn’t know exactly what to expect, but because I wasn’t sure I was capable of what seemed like such an important role. I mean, who was I to think I could make a difference in the face of such adversity? But then I went through the 40 hours of required training at the RSAC offices, and I realized that what I really feared was that I’d make a mistake -- and that’s precisely what the training is for. I quickly realized that I could be taught the process and procedures. Those were easy. What I brought to the table was an earnest desire to help, and I promise that if you have that same desire, you are exactly the person we (and survivors) need. Don’t let the fear of the unknown stop you from participating in something I think you’ll find to be profoundly rewarding.
If helping survivors of sexual assault is something that resonates with you and lights your heart on fire, please reach out to us. We’d love to talk to you and answer your questions about what volunteering entails. I’ve been where you are – wanting to learn more about volunteering, but hesitant to pick up the phone or send an email because there are so many unknowns. That’s why we’re here! We will not put you in a position you’re not comfortable with and will give you all the tools you need to serve in the way that suits you best. You can do this!
Blake Heinzeroth, RSAC Volunteer Advocate
If you’re like me, that all sounds pretty daunting. It took me a long time to sign up as a volunteer with RSAC not only because I didn’t know exactly what to expect, but because I wasn’t sure I was capable of what seemed like such an important role. I mean, who was I to think I could make a difference in the face of such adversity? But then I went through the 40 hours of required training at the RSAC offices, and I realized that what I really feared was that I’d make a mistake -- and that’s precisely what the training is for. I quickly realized that I could be taught the process and procedures. Those were easy. What I brought to the table was an earnest desire to help, and I promise that if you have that same desire, you are exactly the person we (and survivors) need. Don’t let the fear of the unknown stop you from participating in something I think you’ll find to be profoundly rewarding.
If helping survivors of sexual assault is something that resonates with you and lights your heart on fire, please reach out to us. We’d love to talk to you and answer your questions about what volunteering entails. I’ve been where you are – wanting to learn more about volunteering, but hesitant to pick up the phone or send an email because there are so many unknowns. That’s why we’re here! We will not put you in a position you’re not comfortable with and will give you all the tools you need to serve in the way that suits you best. You can do this!
Blake Heinzeroth, RSAC Volunteer Advocate