Volunteers

Training for prospective volunteers for Options, Inc is held at semi-regular intervals. Any individual wishing to serve as a crisis line volunteer or an adult or children's services volunteer must complete 6 hours training and 4 hours of staff shadowing. To register for an upcoming volunteer training, please contact a Volunteer Services Coordinator at (870) 460-0684.

Current Volunteer Opportunities

The following volunteer opportunities are available to those who have a few hours to share and want to assist the victims of family violence:

• Crisis Line Volunteers: responding to calls from victims of domestic violence seek help, safe shelter of information (10 hour training is mandatory); must have a land line telephone (no cell phones) and call waiting;
• Thrift Shop Volunteers: processing donations, assisting customers, maintaining shop appearance;
• Legal Services / Court Watch: assisting victims of domestic violence with divorce, custody and other issues; monitoring domestic violence-related court activities;
• Pick-Up / Delivery Volunteers: picking up/delivering items being donated to the thrift shop and/or shelter;
• Clerical Volunteers: assisting with copying, filing, general office work;
• "Blanket the Shelter": crafting adult and children's quilts for client rooms, which they will take away with them when they leave;
• Graphic Arts Volunteer: creating attractive signage and posters for thrift shop and for the Shelter's special events, as well as the website;
• Community Educators: staffing health fairs, community expos, public exhibitions and speaking engagements;
• Window Dressers / Merchandising Specialist: creating a more attractive and shopper friendly thrift shop atmosphere;
• Children's Services Volunteers: providing childcare services for children of victims while moms participate in support group activities (6 hours training mandatory);
• Computer Hardware Specialist: assessing the condition of computers donated to the Shelter and thrift shop (this may be done on a bi-monthly basis);
• Antiques / Collectibles Specialist: identifying antiques and collectibles from the donations received at the Thrift Shop and assessing their worth for placement in the new Unique Boutique section of the Shop;
• Spanish Language Teachers: teach shelter staff basic Spanish language skills;
• Court Watch: attend court in Drew, Ashley, Bradley, Chicot, and Desha Counties and take notes on domestic violence cases (minimal training required). Currently taking applications - must be available between 8:30 and 11:30 Monday, Wed., or Friday..
• Statistics Gathering: work with County Clerks in Drew, Ashley, Bradley, Chicot, and Desha Counties to find out how many Orders of Protection have been petitioned for, how many have been granted, etc. (minimal training required).
• Court Companions: attend court hearings with women seeking Temporary Orders of Protection. (minimal training required - does require "on call" status). Currently building program & taking applications - not ready at this moment to get started.
• Landscaping: Mowing, Flowerbed, Yard Maintenance.  Contact Marilyn Webb 870-460--0684

For additional information, contact a
Volunteer Services Coordinator
(870) 460-0684