Volunteers are integral to our agency and play a vital role in all aspects of our organization including client services, shelter, education, outreach, events, development, and organizational leadership.

Volunteers commit to one year and receive thorough training to help prepare them for their chosen responsibilities. We appreciate the many volunteers who dedicate their time, talents, voice and efforts to helping HAVEN in our work to End Violence and Change Lives!

HAVEN Advocates after 40 hours of training.As a Volunteer Advocate, you will serve as a confidential nonjudgmental source of support and information for those affected by sexual and domestic violence, stalking, and human trafficking. HAVEN serves women, men, people of all genders and identities, youth, and families—people of all walks of life—across 48 cities and towns in Southeastern NH.

Similarly, Volunteers are also diverse—women, men, people of all genders and identities, age, race and background.

To become an Advocate, you are required to complete a 35-hour training that will prepare you to provide confidential crisis counseling, support and advocacy. Through training, you will learn how to actively listen to clients’ needs, appropriately support them in a time of crisis and connect them with the resources that can best meet their needs. You will also be trained to help identify and examine the survivors’ options. 

You are not required to have any previous training in crisis work, only a strong desire to help those in need of services, an ability to “think on your feet” and passion for making a difference for survivors.

Read more about this opportunity and apply: CLICK HERE

Current Volunteer Shifts Daytime shifts

Both night/ weekend shifts and daytime shifts are available. Daytime shifts (9am -5pm) are available at our offices in Rochester, Epping, or Portsmouth but can be done remotely as well. Daytime hours may include answering hotline calls, working one-to-one with clients in the office, support groups, accompaniment to hospitals, police stations, court and Child Advocacy Centers.

Night and weekend shifts are available on an on-call basis. Weeknight shifts (Monday – Friday) are 5pm-7am and Weekend shifts are 7am-7pm and 7pm-7am. Night and weekend hours may include answering hotline calls and/or meeting clients at hospitals or police stations. HAVEN serves 6 area emergency rooms. We must arrive at hospitals within approximately 45 minutes of receiving the call.

HAVEN offers a great deal of ongoing support and guidance to volunteer advocates, both in our offices and on night and weekend shifts.

Requirements:

  • Commit to 1 year of service.
  • Complete 35-hour volunteer advocate training (see dates below).
  • Sign up for 3 shifts monthly (day and/or night/weekend.)
  • Attend Quarterly Advocate Meetings.
  • Do 6 hours of continuing education.
  • Check-in with day staff for data collection (night weekend advocates only).
  • Must have a valid Driver’s License, your own transportation and auto insurance.

Upcoming Volunteer Advocate Trainings:

  • The Advocate Training will be a combination of self-paced 16-20 hours of course work through a rich, engaging, virtual training platform and one weekend of an in-person intensive practicum, which is mandatory. We ask that trainees complete the virtual portions of the training prior to the weekend intensive. Trainees will have several weeks to complete this prior to the in-person portion. Locations of the in-person intensive weekend is to be determined. 
  • The first intensive practicum will be held in person on September 10th and 11th. (9AM-5PM both days)
  • The Winter 2023 in-person intensive practicum is tentatively scheduled  for either  February 4th and 5th or February 11th and 12th–weather permitting. (9AM-5PM both days)
  • The Spring 2023 in-person intensive practicum is tentatively scheduled for June 3rd and 4th 9AM-5PM both days.
  • The Fall 2023 in-person intensive practicum is tentatively scheduled for September 9th and 10th 9AM-5PM both days.

APPLY NOW!

HAVEN At Portsmouth Pride Outreach EventHelp HAVEN spread the word about our services and our mission of Ending Violence and Changing Lives! As the largest crisis center in the state, HAVEN serves over 48 towns and cities in the Southeastern NH.

Why does outreach matter? We never want not knowing that help exists to be a barrier preventing survivors from getting the help they need. We also want the loved ones of survivors to know how they can get help. Increasing awareness in the community about HAVEN and the issues also brings in wonderful people who want to share their time & talents as volunteers, who want professional training on these issues or who want to support our mission with financial support or collaborations. 

As an Outreach Volunteer, also known as a HAVEN Ambassador, you’ll represent us at fairs and festivals and help distribute our materials to businesses and community partners. Each month we focus on distributing our materials to a specific targeted group– such as gyms and fitness centers in January, hair & nail salons in July, and pediatricians in October.

To learn more about this opportunity and apply: CLICK HERE

Skills and Experience Needed:

Open attitude, passionate and comfortable talking with community members about issues of abuse and about HAVEN’s mission and services. Interest in public speaking, writing, video creation or marketing/communications a plus!

Requirements:

  • We ask for a 1-year commitment.
  • Complete 3-hour Outreach Volunteer training (offered 3 times a year/dates TBD).
  • Sign up for 1 activity per month. (We will offer several opportunities per month for you to choose from).
  • Requires a driver’s license, your own transportation and car insurance.
  • Hours will vary depending on the Outreach activity, but may include weekends, evenings, and weekdays.

Activities include:

  • Represent HAVEN at resource tables at fairs/ festivals and Meet & Greets.
  • Assemble packets for mailings or door-to-door outreach.
  • Help distribute packets of outreach materials, hotline stickers and swag to targeted outreach contacts.
  • Gather contact information to expand our contacts and data entry into database.
  • Write thank you notes to community partners and supporters.
  • Write op-eds or blogs about our work, researching articles on related issues/ relevant Awareness months and finding/ making inspiring images for our social media.
  • Help in creating PSA’s, videos, and more.
  • Assist with annual fundraising events.
  • Other activities as needed.

Check out one of our Outreach efforts in collaboration with Deb Cram and the YWCA, “Courage Speaks” on YouTube! 

APPLY NOW

Become a HAVEN Volunteer MentorCURRENTLY FULL! YAY!

Pathways Volunteer Mentors Program 

Pathways Mentors have the amazing opportunity to become a significant part of a child’s life and make a life-changing impact. We focus on creating hope and healing-centered pathways through collaborative, trauma-informed care for youth ages 7-11 who have been impacted by trauma to believe in themselves, in others, and their dreams. 

Pathways programming includes year-round monthly activities that provide holistic support and engagement. These “Challenge by Choice” activities involve team building, relationship building, mindfulness, and skills that will encourage building HOPE and resilience. The components of Pathways utilize an evidence-based curriculum and give each participant tools to stretch their personal limits, build resilience, and gain confidence. Hope is assessed using the Children’s Hope Scale, which examines the extent to which children believe they can establish pathways to their goals as well as develop and maintain the drive to follow through. Monthly activities will lead to a weeklong summer Camp Hope adventure for those kids ready to jump in! Participation at the camp is not required for Pathways mentors.   

Activities: 

Once trained, Mentors dedicate 3-5 hours monthly for Pathways events, which will be held in the evenings and/or on weekends. During these events, each mentor is responsible for engaging with / overseeing three children ages 7-11. Mentors will have time to process interactions with staff after each event and may assist with set up and clean up as well. 

Pathways encourages healthy relationship-building among the participants and their mentors. Support and resources will also be provided to the family. Mentors will be supervised by HAVEN’s Pathways/ Camp Hope staff.  

Training Provided:  

Complete roughly 6 hours of HAVEN online training, as well as a one-day in-person training held late spring/early summer (dates TBD). Trainings will be held twice annually.  Complete ongoing training and education on supporting youth and the impacts of trauma. 

Mentor Requirements: 

  • We ask for a 1-year commitment  
  • Must be an adult 25+ who is compassionate, encouraging, empathetic, kind, sensitive, patient, and adventurous 
  • Be present and engaged
  • Have a passion for working with trauma-exposed children
  • Live locally in or near Strafford and Rockingham Counties.
  • Pass all background checks
  • Provide 3 professional/ school references
  • Abide by Camp HOPE best practices
  • Individuals from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply!

APPLY NOW!

Become a HAVEN Educator Volunteer

HAVEN serves elementary, middle, and high schools in 48 towns/ cities and sees roughly 15,500 students and teachers a year. Prevention Educators play a unique role—there is an impact on the children, the parents, the teachers and the schools as a whole. Volunteer Educators will focus on classroom-based K-4 elementary programs about personal body safety with puppets. Sign up to co-facilitate a minimum of 4 full school days per month. Prevention Educators will offer guidance and supervision in the classroom.

Read more about this opportunity and apply: HERE

Desired Skills & Experience:
  • Experience working with elementary children
  • Experience with public speaking
  • Teaching experience preferred
  • Good sense of humor
  • Ability to memorize scripts
  • Willingness to work with puppets
  • Passion about the issues of domestic and sexual abuse

Additional Requirements:

  • Commit to minimum of 1 year of service (school year calendar).
  • Those interested in volunteering for the upcoming school year should apply by end of July.
  • Prevention Education Training is provided for Volunteer Educators in the fall, with observation & training in the classroom and additional preparation at home to learn roles/scripts and practice.
  • Complete relevant portions of HAVEN Core Advocate virtual and in-person training in June or September.

APPLY NOW!

Become a HAVEN Development Committee MemberAbout the Development Committee

Are you passionate about fundraising, event planning, and building connections with important stakeholders? Then this opportunity may be the one for you!

The Development Committee (“DC”) helps the Board of Directors fulfill its fiduciary responsibility by ensuring the fiscal health of HAVEN through philanthropy, fundraising, and donor development. The Development Committee consists of the HAVEN Development Director, members of the Board of Directors, and volunteers from the community.

Committee Chair and Composition: The Development Committee is chaired by a Board Member and composed of 8-20 Board and community members. The Development Committee reports to the Board of Directors through minutes, reports, and email communication between meetings. The DC takes direction from the institution’s strategic plan.

Read more about how to apply HERE.

Scope of Work for the Development Committee

The primary responsibility of the DC is to develop and carry out the organization’s strategic plan as it relates to fundraising and donor development.

  • Provide oversight and support to staff in developing and approving an annual development plan (“ADP”), and coordinate approval of the ADP with the development and approval of the annual fiscal budget.
  • Develop and help to carry out a Board Development Plan (“BDP”), which shall include financial contributions from each board member, as well as fiscal and other resources leveraged from the community (e.g., individuals, organizations, and businesses).
  • Facilitate a culture of philanthropy among Board members, which may include orientation, training and ongoing support to enable the Board to succeed in its development plan.
  • Monitor Board participation in fundraising and cultivation activities and events.

Other Relevant Information:

HAVEN currently hosts two large signature events a year. The Kids Are Our Business Breakfast occurs in April (Sexual Assault Awareness Month) and the Ending Violence, Changing Lives event occurs in October (Domestic Violence Awareness Month).

HAVEN operates with a 1.7 million annual budget and works to raise approximately $748,000 through fundraising and charitable giving annually.
The Development Committee meets on a monthly basis, on the first Thursday of every month.

Training and Orientation will be provided. Your point person to provide guidance and support will be the Development Director.

APPLY NOW!

Become a Board of Directors Member for HAVEN

Become a part of our Board!

Joining the Board of Directors is an excellent opportunity to apply your skills and leave a lasting impact on HAVEN and the community we serve. Board Members serve as ambassadors for the agency, and actively engage in fundraising, strategic planning and organizational oversight. Members serve for a 3-year term, with a maximum of two consecutive terms allowed, dedicate 4-8 hours monthly and make a personal financial contribution.

 

 

Desired Skills include:

  • Passion for the mission
  • Board Development
  • PR/ Media Relations
  • Financial Management
  • Fundraising
  • HR & Org. Development
  • IT
  • Legal
  • Marketing/ Branding
  • Special Events
  • Strategic Planning

APPLY NOW!

Interns are vital to all aspects of our work to end violence and change lives. Intern opportunities are available in client services, shelter, prevention education, and marketing/development/outreach. Requirements vary.

HAVEN requires a two semester, on-site commitment of 16-20 hours per week, or a full time summer semester at 40 hours per week. Alternately, a one-semester internship may be combined with a daytime volunteer position to fulfill the agency requirement, so that the time equates to a two-semester internship. Your own reliable transportation is required, as you may have to travel to accompaniments, schools and/or outreach events. Internships are unpaid.

Appropriate training and supervision is provided. We are unable to offer Master’s Level Clinical Supervision onsite, so clinical supervision would have to be coordinated through your program.

For more information about interning with HAVEN, and to formally apply, please call 603-436-4107 or email info@havennh.org.

“Being an advocate has genuinely made me a more empathetic, culturally aware and empowered woman. I have been humbled by my interaction with survivors and nurtured as an advocate by staff members. My confidence and self-awareness has increased and I am able to use the fundamental principles of the agency in everything I do.”
Volunteer Advocate
“To say “me too” or to reach out for support takes immeasurable strength. I feel privileged and grateful to be there to meet that strength with compassion, education, and empowerment. With many voices crying out “me too,” we as hotline advocates sit by our phones ready to listen, ready to believe survivors, and ready to change the culture of sexual violence both locally and globally.”
Volunteer Advocate

Portsmouth NH
Main Office

Phone: 603-436-4107
Fax: 603-436-7951
Crisis counseling is available on a walk-in basis during office hours.
Office/walk-in hours:
Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

20 International Drive,
Suite 300 Portsmouth, NH 03801

Rochester NH
Office

Crisis counseling is available on a walk-in basis during office hours.
Office/walk-in hours:
Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

150 Wakefield Street, Suite 16 Rochester, NH 03867

Epping NH
Office

Crisis counseling is available on a walk-in basis during office hours.
Office/walk-in hours:
Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

285 Calef Highway
Suite12 C (Second Floor)
Epping, NH 03042

Copyright 2019. HAVEN - Violence Prevention and Support Services. All Rights Reserved.