FARMINGTON — Safe Voices is seeking local volunteers for its 24-hour helpline in Franklin County.
Safe Voices is a domestic violence resource center in Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties. Volunteers help staff its 24-hour free and confidential helpline.
Training will be held in Room 201 of the Roberts Learning Center at the University of Maine at Farmington. Times are 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 8, and Sunday, Feb. 9. All sessions are mandatory for qualification.
Often times, the helpline is the first point of contact for people exposed to domestic and/or intimate partner violence. Helpline workers provide advocacy to survivors of domestic violence, assist in the creation of individualized safety plans and help to identify additional community resources with support from Safe Voices.
Volunteers work from their homes and generally staff the line for approximately 10 hours per week, based on their availability. A Safe Voices staff person is available during all volunteer shifts as a “backup” contact, should questions arise.
Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age, should be sensitive to domestic violence situations, understand and be able to set clear boundaries, practice good self-care, be dependable and have good listening and communication skills.
For more information or to sign up for the training, contact Kim Preble at 207-795-6744, ext. 14 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, or by email at kpreble@safevoices.org.
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