YWCA is on a continued mission to empower women and families! We believe that women can thrive when they are free from violence, have access to quality education and training and economic opportunities. YWCA assists people on this journey by providing them tools through the services we offer. Our work plays an instrumental role in the advancement of women in today’s marketplace and we cannot do it alone.
YWCA invites individuals and corporations to share their talent with us through a broad range of volunteer opportunities to support our work. To learn more about those opportunities, please check out our events and plan on attending one of them so you can meet us firsthand and explore how you might get involved.
Immediate Needs
Medical & Legal Advocate Volunteer (apply here)
As a medical & legal advocate volunteer, you will be on call to provide 24-hour medical advocacy to hospital emergency rooms. With the survivor’s permission, advocates are expected to stay and provide comfort throughout hospital examinations, evidence collection, and police interviews. Volunteers must demonstrate a non-judgmental, supportive attitude toward all survivors of sexual assault. Volunteers should be able to provide a one-year service commitment and complete the 40+ hour Crisis Intervention Training. Volunteer Advocates will benefit from comprehensive training, experience in crisis counseling, references for future job opportunities and opportunities to interact with veteran advocates and other sister organizations.
Click here to begin the application process. For more information, please contact the representative in your area:
Chicago – chicagorapecrisishotline@ywcachicago.org
DuPage County – dupageadvocacy@ywcachicago.org
South Cook County – debra.perry@ywcachicago.org
Rape Crisis Hotline Volunteer (apply here)
Volunteer to answer calls for the YWCA’s Rape Crisis Hotline or respond to crisis calls in-person at local area hospitals. Help counsel victims of sexual violence and provide resources to assist them in recovery.
Our policy is to only have comprehensively trained individuals working directly with survivors (answering the hotline, medical advocacy, etc.).
Fundraising and Events
Ambassadors Council
Ambassadors Council members are key influencers in the City of Chicago and suburbs who volunteer to fundraise and support the work of the YWCA. Click here for more information about the Ambassadors Council.