Volunteer FAQ
Thank you for your interest in supporting The Avery Center with your time and expertise! We rely on volunteers to walk alongside survivors, support our organization, and engage our community in a variety of ways. Whether you have one day, forty hours, a semester, or more, we welcome your support!
We work to pair your skills and interests with positions and activities that ensure you are connected with the cause. We value YOU and we value your time.
Applications and Onboarding
In order to become a volunteer with TAC, we require all applicants to undergo the following process.
Step 1: Submit an online application.
This includes links for a background check, confidential agreement, and photo release form. A self-paid background check is required for all The Avery Center volunteers age 18 and above. By covering this cost, you are supporting the work we are doing. Please keep in mind that criminal history is not an automatic disqualifier to volunteer with us.
Step 2: Wait for background check clearance.
It may take 7-14 business days for us to receive the completed results of your background check back. Once your clearance has come through, you will be emailed by a member of The Avery Center staff with a link to the volunteer onboarding page.
Step 3: Visit the volunteer onboarding page and complete the training materials.
This includes mandatory information about our organization and optional resources for further self-learning. From start to finish, you can expect to spend about 2 hours to onboard as a volunteer with us. One hour of this is our orientation webinar.
Step 4: Submit confirmation.
Once you complete the materials, submit confirmation of completion on the volunteer onboarding page. At this point, you will be added to our list of active volunteers and emailed with volunteer opportunities.
Review our FAQ below and contact us if you have any additional questions.
FAQ
We rely on volunteers and below are some of our common & recurring needs.
- Administrative Support: Marketing, bookkeeping, accounting, running errands, office upkeep.
- Events: Sponsorship, marketing, themes & décor, on-site set up & support, food, auction items.
- Direct Service: Personal and professional development mentorship.
- Skilled Services: home and auto repairs, tech support, lawn & garden, security, interior design, and personal/professional development.
- Community Awareness: Speaking to local schools, churches, and groups about domestic sex trafficking, commercial sex exploitation, and the services of The Avery Center.
Is training required to volunteer with The Avery Center?
We offer a free online orientation webinar that covers our history vision, mission, values, programs, framework/models, successes and research. You will be able to access this information through the volunteer onboarding page.
Do I need a background check to volunteer?
Yes. A self-paid background check is required for all The Avery Center volunteers age 18 and above. By covering this cost, you are supporting the work we are doing. Please keep in mind that criminal history is not an automatic disqualifier to volunteer with us.
How long does it take to become a volunteer with The Avery Center?
From start to finish, you can expect to spend about 2 hours to onboard as a volunteer with us. One hour of this is our orientation webinar. We know that your time is valuable. We rely on volunteers and appreciate your donating your time for Avery Center. We ask that you log all time you spend on paperwork, emails, and orientation (in addition to your volunteer time!) here.
It may take 7-14 business days for us to receive the completed results of your background check back. Once we have received those results, we will send the orientation material and contact you to set up time to meet and discuss current volunteer opportunities.
What if I can't afford the background check?
We are able to offer select scholarships that cover the cost of the background check. There are details on this process in the volunteer application. We rely on volunteers and do not want the cost to be a barrier.
Ready to get started?
Please take a few minutes to fill out the application linked below to begin the process.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with The Avery Center!
“Partnering with The Avery Center enables me to do what I love (in a trench that I hate)—work alongside other exceptional partners in the movement, and to dream of extraordinary ways to empower and encourage those we serve.”
—Barb Henderson, Communications Volunteer
“The U COUNT Campaign is thrilled to partner with The Avery Center to support domestic work with survivors.”
—Beth, U COUNT Manager of Domestic Anti-Trafficking
“It has been an incredible experience to join The Avery Center team. They are always looking for ways to elevate the survivor community by offering opportunities at every level of the organization. I have had the freedom to implement a vision for the brand and engage with a great following of supporters.”
—Jamie Rosseland, Director of Marketing