Volunteering FAQ
/Below are common questions we receive about volunteering. If you haven’t found an answer on our volunteering page or here, you may contact the staff contact listed on the volunteering page.
“How much will volunteering cost me?”
One of two possible background checks, required for all volunteer and intern positions: standard ($45) or youth/intern ($102). If this cost would otherwise prevent you from participating, volunteers have the option of applying for a fee waiver for the background check.
Early Education Center: EEC volunteers are required to show proof of immunization and pass a TB test within three months of starting their service. There may be some additional costs here depending on your medical insurance.
“Are there any limitations on who can volunteer with Walnut Avenue?”
Anyone who is willing to abide by Walnut Avenue’s mission, values, and philosophy is welcome to join us regardless of gender or any other personal identity. There are only two exceptions:
Minors: People under 18 years old may only volunteer in our Early Childhood Education classroom or with our youth advisory board, given the sensitive nature of the domestic violence services in our main office;
Criminal history involving harm or neglect towards others: This includes people with a criminal history specifically involving violence, abuse, or neglect towards another person and/or a history that is immediately relevant to the services you would be volunteering to provide. If you want to volunteer with us but are concerned about the results of a criminal background check, please contact the coordinator to discuss your options without judgment. Having a criminal history does not automatically disqualify you from participating in our volunteer and internship programs! More info about background checks can be found here.
Although being bilingual in English and Spanish isn’t required for most positions, we do strongly encourage fluent Spanish speakers to apply.
“I’m under 18. Can I still volunteer?”
People 14-17 years old are welcome to participate in our Early Education Center (EEC) classrooms or to join our youth advisory board! Please contact the coordinator directly for more information on the under-18 volunteer process.
“I’m a parent with a child under 14 and we’d like to volunteer together. What are our options?”
Given the nature of the services we provide, we don’t have any volunteer programs for volunteers under 14 years old. However, some families have:
Participated together in the fundraising event of the annual she.is.beautiful marathon in March
Done fundraising with their child’s school or neighborhood to support Walnut Avenue
Put together different kinds of gift bags for our survivors and families, such as winter baskets (gloves, hats, and handwarmers), personal hygiene kits (menstrual supplies, razor, soap), and backpacks with school supplies. You can view our program wishlists here or contact us at info@wafwc.org for more information on current and seasonal needs!
“I’m a survivor of domestic violence myself. Could I still volunteer?”
Absolutely, as long as you have not received any services for yourself with Walnut Avenue for at least 2 years since the date of your last service with us (conflict of interest). However, please keep in mind that all of the volunteering opportunities except EEC involve engaging with domestic violence or operating within an office space which discusses it. This can be emotionally challenging even for people who don’t have that personal experience.
“I’m undocumented. Can I still volunteer?”
Yes. If you have any concerns on how a background check might impact your citizenship status, please contact the community engagement coordinator.
“I work full-time. Do you have any weekend or evening options for volunteering?”
Most of our programs align with our business hours Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. That being said, we have a couple of limited options:
Hotline advocacy: once you complete the certification training, you can take a remote shift that’s overnight or on the weekend.
Kids Club: you can help provide childcare for our parents attending Thursday evening support groups.
While it may not feel the same as doing volunteer work yourself, a huge help to us is finding ways to bring our advocates’ knowledge and our agency’s information into your professional work space. You can see some of our no-cost education options here, or you can contact our coordinator for more ideas or to request domestic violence materials, such as crisis cards or service brochures.
“Can I volunteer with Walnut Avenue in some way for academic credit with my school?”
Yes, as long as your specific academic program agrees to it. If Walnut Avenue does not already have a preexisting agreement with your academic program, you may contact our coordinator with the requirements of your program to see if Walnut Avenue is able to provide the kind of opportunities which meet your program’s needs.
“I’m a teacher/professor/program supervisor looking for volunteer opportunities for my students/clients.”
We keep an updated folder on Google Drive here with information and materials about our volunteer programs which you can download, print, link to, and otherwise share with other people.
If you have any questions about programs or if you’d like to discuss a more formal arrangement with Walnut Avenue for your students/clients, please contact the coordinator.
“I was certified as a domestic violence advocate at another domestic violence agency. Would I still need to complete Walnut Avenue’s certification training to volunteer as an advocate?”
This depends on your situation. You will need to provide a copy of your certificate of completion along with a breakdown of the training’s syllabus. (The organization which facilitated your training may be able to provide copies if you don’t already have them.) You may still need to attend the training days which address subjects specific to Santa Cruz County or Walnut Avenue itself, such as the protocols regarding our 24-hour hotline.
Please note that while training and experience as an advocate for sexual assault and/or trafficking survivors is hugely beneficial, they are defined as separate fields and you will still need to take the domestic violence training in full.
“I have an idea for an internship which isn’t currently offered by Walnut Avenue.”
You’re more than welcome to send your idea to the coordinator at mcoffey@wafwc.org to see if what you’re offering meets one of Walnut Avenue’s needs. You never know!
“I have a question which isn’t addressed here.”
For questions pertaining to volunteering, interning, or the advocacy training, please contact the staff contact listed on the volunteer page.
For all other questions, please call the main office at (831) 426-3062 or email info@wafwc.org.