Why Volunteer?

As a volunteer with the NYAWC, you can touch the lives of battered women and their children, either directly through client support or by joining the movement to end violence against women. Volunteer service is rewarding and brings with it the opportunity to meet others who are committed to our cause and active in our community.

The Center's volunteer network has earned national acclaim - including the 1991 President Volunteer Action Award — for its effectiveness in mobilizing the Asian community on issues of violence against women.

Volunteer Opportunities

There are a variety of ways that you can donate your time and talents. Based on the information that you share in your volunteer application and your volunteer interview, the Volunteer Coordinator will guide you in the direction of projects that are most suitable for your needs.

Most of our volunteer projects are team-based and are run by Project Leaders. Project Leaders are volunteers trained in leadership skills that coordinate various aspects of the project and communicate with involved volunteers. The Project Leader for the project you choose will give you a specific assignment and provide your team with overall supervision.

Team Projects

• Support for Women - Tutor survival English or basic computer literacy to support women in the development of conversational and vocational skills. (Most projects require a once-weekly commitment of two to three hours.)

• Support for Children - Supervise play activities, homework help, tutoring or teach survival English to support children in the development of social and academic skills. (Most projects require a once-weekly commitment of two to three hours.)

• Other Projects - Volunteers interested in one-time projects can join teams that plan our annual picnic, organize our holiday party, or work on other special activities. NYAWC also has a variety of volunteer projects that do not involve direct interaction with survivors. These projects, such as outreach, fundraising, newsletter production, etc., often have more flexible time commitments.

• Project Leadership - Experienced NYAWC volunteers, as well as new volunteers with leadership experience, are invited to apply to be Project Leaders. Manage a team (2 to 8 volunteers) by maintaining regular contact and communication with team members and NYAWC staff.

Individual Projects

• Support for NYAWC Staff - Support the staff members of the NYAWC with a wide range of office and clerical tasks. We ask that volunteers commit to this task at least one full day per week or two half days per week.

• Support for the Volunteer Program - Assist the Volunteer Coordinator with a wide variety of clerical tasks as well as program coordination to support the everyday operations of the Volunteer Program. We ask that volunteers commit to this task at least once full day per week or two half days per week.

• Hotline Volunteer - Answer NYAWC’s multilingual hotline, which receives urgent and non-urgent calls. Be a source of support to women who call in crisis, as well as a source of information and referral for community members. Training will be provided. (Requires once monthly committment of a Saturday shift from 8am to 7pm in your home).

Join Our Volunteer Program

Join us in providing life-saving services to women and children in need! Volunteers need no prior experience. Fluency in an Asian language is extremely helpful but not required. Requirements for joining the Volunteer Program are as follows:

• You must be at least 18 years of age to apply. Contact the Volunteer Coordinator (xzhen@nyawc.org) if you'd like to receive a list of volunteer opportunities for young adults available at other organizations.
• You must be fluent in speaking and understanding English.
• You must be available to actively volunteer for 12 months after attending volunteer orientation.
• You must attend all sessions of volunteer orientation and training.
• You must follow NYAWC policies and procedures pertaining to the Volunteer Program.

If you are interested in volunteering for NYAWC, please complete the volunteer application below and email to the Volunteer Coordinator at xzhen@nyawc.org.

If you have any trouble downloading the application above, please email xzhen@nyawc.org.

FAQs

1) What are the days and times of the volunteer projects?
Projects take place during different hours of the day, throughout the week. The Volunteer Coordinator and/or your Project Leader will help place you based on your schedule. The more times that you are available to volunteer, the more likely it is that you will be placed in the activity of your choice.

2) For how long do I need to commit to volunteering at the Center?
Because we provide extensive training for our volunteers, we require that you have at least one year available from the time of your application.

3) If I have a limited amount of experience working with people in need, would I still qualify?
We will review your past volunteer work and other experience and help determine what type of placement is right for you. We also provide trainings for volunteers before they work with clients to prepare them for the experience.

4) Do I need to speak an Asian language to become a volunteer with the Center?
No. However, if you are fluent in an Asian language, your skills may be needed for specific projects.

5) What if I have a special talent or skill that I would like to offer as a volunteer?
If you have a unique skill that you would like to incorporate into your volunteer work, of if you have an idea for a volunteer project other than those currently listed on this site, you are welcome to contact the Volunteer Coordinator with your suggestion. The Coordinator and NYAWC staff will determine if your skills match any of our current needs.

6) Will I receive any orientation or training to prepare me for volunteer work with the Center?
Yes, we provide a general orientation and training about domestic violence and the work of the NYAWC for all volunteers. We also have specialized orientations for specific types of projects, and an intensive training for volunteers answering the hotline.

7) How do NYAWC volunteers work with clients?
If you are selected for a volunteer project that works directly with clients, you will receive a thorough orientation and training to provide you with the skills and information that will help you work with clients. Volunteers learn how to provide support through active and reflective listening, as well as the maintenance of appropriate boundaries. Volunteers do not provide counseling or case management for clients.

8) Where are the NYAWC and its volunteer projects located?
Because the NYAWC provides confidential services to battered women, we do not disclose any of our locations to the public. You will be advised of the locations of your projects on a need to know basis.

9) Are there opportunities for men to volunteer?
Yes. We welcome male volunteers to join us. In fact, male volunteers are important because they help set positive male role models for our clients and their children.

10) What is the length of the volunteer application process?
Because we must screen volunteer applicants carefully, the process varies from weeks to months.

11) My group would like to volunteer together. How can we?
In a variety of ways, including: running a collections drive, creating holiday cards or gift packages for clients, participating in a rally, and more. For more information on opportunities for groups, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator at xzhen@nyawc.org.

12) Will the New York Asian Women's Center provide me with a letter of recommendation for school applications, job searches, or other professional purposes?
The NYAWC is unable to provide letters of recommendation for a variety of reasons. However, if you have been with the agency for a minimum of 6 months and have submitted the required timesheets for your volunteer hours, we can provide a letter of documentation.

13) Does the NYAWC offer internships?
Every year we offer a limited number of internships to graduate students who are pursuing degrees in social work or related fields. We recommend that you contact wyin@nyawc.org to discuss currently available positions.