We are moved, on a daily basis, by the love, energy, and care that our volunteers dedicate to their work with WAVAW. A volunteer is often the first person from the organization that survivors connect with. Thanks to our volunteers, their work ensures that support is always available on the 24 Hour Crisis & Information Line which helps bolster the capacity of our staff.  We believe that volunteering at WAVAW can be transformative and here’s why:

Connect with survivors and the people that love them.

During WAVAW’s Volunteer Training, we draw from the teachings of activist Vikki Reynolds. She writes, “The people I work alongside do not burn me out and they do not hurt me: they transform me, challenge me and inspire me.” Yes, hearing about the injustices that survivors face is difficult. However, standing in witness of survivors’ acts of resistance and being a part of someone’s healing is always a privilege. It is an honour that reminds us of our obligation to respond to suffering with action.

Develop feminist support skills.

Volunteering at WAVAW has a ripple effect in our lives. The skills we sharpen through practice, such as active listening, asking good questions, and giving permission, support our interactions with survivors as well as the people close to us. Learning how embody empathy and non-judgement has the potential to transform our relationships and our corner of the world.

Deepen your understanding of systemic oppression.

We don’t know what we don’t know. During WAVAW’s 12-week Volunteer Training, we dig deep into topics such as colonization, white supremacy, and transphobia in order to unearth the root causes of sexualized violence. This learning is what allows us to validate all of the brilliant ways that survivors resist the oppressive structures that denigrate the bodies, knowledge, and experiences of people that have been made marginalized.

Build community.

As a member of WAVAW’s volunteer team, we become a part of something bigger. We know that this work is not possible in isolation and together, we make this work sustainable. Through training, monthly meetings, and storytelling, we receive support, skill-build, and are reminded that we are not alone in our efforts to end sexualized violence.

Make a difference.

At WAVAW, we learn that survivors are not broken or in need of a “cure.” Survivors deserve care, information, and spaces where they feel safe enough to bring their whole selves. Our volunteers strive to make WAVAW one of those places and we could not do what we do without that support. From those who ensure that our Crisis Line is accessible 24-hours a day to those who support the survivors who attend our support groups, WAVAW volunteers make change possible.

WAVAW’s next 12-week Crisis Line and Support Group Volunteer Training will begin January 2022. If you feel called to do this work, we want to connect with you.

Our application as well as more details about the training and volunteer commitment, can be found on our website. If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with
volunteer@salalsvsc.ca.