In order to become a BARCC volunteer for direct service positions (indicated by a *), you must complete a 50-hour state certified training program, offered by BARCC in January, June, August, or September/October. These programs also require a minimum commitment of one year of service. For other volunteer positions, the training may not be required.

UPDATE: June and August volunteer trainings are now open! Please contact volunteer@barcc.org for more information.

Hotline Counselors*

Hotline volunteers provide crisis counseling over the telephone for survivors and their significant others. They often also provide resources and referrals to callers.

• The Hotline is available to callers 24 hours a day
  
• Volunteers sign up for one shift per week; shifts are about 5 hours long
  
• Volunteers must have access to a landline in order to receive calls
  
• Calls can be taken from your own home
  

Medical Advocacy program*

Medical advocates help survivors by meeting them at the hospital following a sexual assault. Advocates provide as much support and information as is needed by the survivor and any significant others who may also be there.

• The Medical Advocacy program is available 24 hours a day
  
• Volunteers sign up for one shift per week; shifts are between 4-6 hours long
  
• A valid driver's license or access to a car is not necessary; all partner hospitals are T-accessible
  
• Volunteers must be able to go to a partner hospital within 45 minutes of receiving a call or page
  

Community Awareness & Prevention Services program (CAPS)*

CAPS presenters conduct workshops, professional trainings, clothesline project displays as well as informational tables at health and education fairs. Audiences vary and include middle and high schools, colleges, universities, community groups, shelters, conferences and various service providers.

• Presentation times range from 1-3 hours on average
  
• Volunteers sign up for two engagements per month
  
• A valid driver's license and/or access to a car is helpful but not necessary
  
• Presentations include rape and sexual assault awareness and prevention, sexual harassment, bystander intervention, first responder trainings, and dating violence
  

Fundraising

Volunteers are responsible for working on committees and special events, as well as participating and organizing drives and appeals. This is a great way to support survivors without necessarily providing direct service.

Internships/Practicums

BARCC offers clinical internships for undergraduate and graduate students in Counseling Psychology or Social Work programs. Interns provide individual and group counseling to BARCC clients and become both hotline counselors and medical advocates. BARCC also offers internships for undergraduate or graduate students in Education, Public Health or Social Work through the Public Education Department and in Law School through our Legal Advocacy Program. We provide extensive training and ongoing supervision to all of our interns.

Administrative/Special projects

A variety of special projects, small tasks and on going work are available. Projects may include answering phones, filing, copying, stuffing envelopes, data entry, office support, research, updating referral packets, creating publications, developing training materials and translation. This is a great way to support survivors and not be involved with direct service.

Clinical Supervisor

Clinical supervisors provide group supervision to clinical interns, advocacy group supervision as well as group supervision to clinical interns. We are seeking licensed social workers or psychologists who are interested in working within the rape crisis movement. This is a great place to gain valuable experience and provide an invaluable service to the community.

Individual Opportunities

If the particular opportunities mentioned do not quite meet your expectations or availability, please give us a call and we can discuss whether there are other possibilities that may enable you to volunteer at BARCC.

If you are interested in volunteering or simply have questions about our volunteer program, please contact BARCC's Volunteer Coordinator at 617-492-8306 or at volunteer@barcc.org.