Volunteer Information

Crisis Line Volunteers

Our volunteer advocates go through a 40 hour training after which they are Certified Volunteer Advocates in the state of Minnesota. After completing training, our volunteers answer our 24/7 crisis line offering a caring voice to provide emotional support, referrals, and information for victims of sexual assault and other crimes. Additionally, volunteer advocates assist victim/survivors at the hospital during a sexual assault exam as well as law enforcement interviews.

Crisis line shifts are nightly from 5 PM to 8 AM as well as weekend and holiday days from 8 AM to 5 PM. Crisis line advocates are able to take the crisis line cell phone home with them and volunteer from their house.

When a volunteer has the crisis line they are required to stay at their house the entire shift, unless they are called out to respond to Saint Mary's Emergency Department. Volunteers will be trained to answer crisis calls, help with de-escalation, safety planning, and connecting callers to resources. Volunteers are also trained to respond out to St. Mary's Emergency Department to support a victim of Sexual Assault. Before volunteering all volunteers must take the Free 40 Hour Sexual Asault Training.

Free 40 hour Sexual Assault Advocacy Training

Typically held twice a year (Fall and Spring)
Broken up into 10 weekday evening sessions (ex.5:30pm-9:30pm)
Volunteers need to attend all sessions, and can make up 3 sessions if needed
Someone can just take the training for education and not volunteer

Minimum Requirements to Volunteer

Must be 18+ years old to volunteer
Live within a 30-minute response time to St. Mary's Emergency Department
Pass a background check
Be able to complete the 40 Hour Sexual Assault Advocacy Training
Able to take 1 shift a month

Want to Volunteer or Learn More?

You can contact our Volunteer Coordinator:

Neil Dennison - dennison.neil@co.olmsted.mn.us – 507 328-7276

click on the link below to fill out an application

Victim Services Volunteer Application

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