A SHOULDER TO LEAN ON, A NUMBER TO CALL. The Family Support Center in Chippewa Falls is hosting two volunteer informational sessions in April at local libraries. (Photo via Facebook)

Local animal shelters and food pantries are typically top of mind for folks looking to volunteer, but there are an abundance of opportunities to lend a helping hand to a variety of local organizations – including the Family Support Center (FSC) in Chippewa Falls.

This spring, the longtime local organization – which opened its doors in 1982 to serve survivors of domestic violence – will host two informational sessions for those who may be interested in volunteering their time to the FSC’s 24/7 crisis line.

The first session will be held from 6-7pm on Monday, April 28, at the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library; The second sessions will be held from 5-6pm on Tuesday, April 29, at the Chippewa Falls Public Library. This round of sessions marks the second time FSC has offered this kind of volunteer recruitment event. The organization plans to continue offering them three times per year – during the winter, spring, and late summer – moving forward.

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IN 2024, ON-CALL ADVOCATES TOOK 67 CALLS OUTSIDE OFFICE HOURS.

That's 67 people who would have been without support in their most vulnerable moments without on-call volunteers.

XANDER BOBOLZ

FSC RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR

“On-call volunteering is perfect for someone who is looking to use or hone their interpersonal and supportive skills,” Resource Development Coordinator Xander Bobolz said.

FSC also hosts three training sessions throughout the year for on-call volunteers, and while full-time staff members are also assigned shifts for the 24/7 crisis line, the ideal number of on-call volunteers at any given time requires at least 10 individuals, Bobolz said.

“In 2024, on-call advocates took 67 calls outside of office hours. That’s 67 people who would have been without support in their most vulnerable moments without on-call volunteers,” Bobolz said.

This April’s sessions will give attendees information about the on-call volunteer application process, explain some common experiences and occurrences while on call, and answer questions about the role. “This opportunity is especially for people interested in long-term volunteering and being the first point of contact for someone experiencing a domestic violence-related crisis,” Bobolz added.

Volunteer applicants will also go through background checks and an interview with FSC staff members. Training for on-call advocates – which includes history of domestic violence advocacy, crisis calls and advocacy, legal advocacy, and practicing scripts and scenarios through roleplaying with other volunteers – is one five-hour training session per week, for a total of four weeks.

For additional information, reach out at resourcedev@fsccf.org. Learn more at www.familysupportcentercf.org. If interested in becoming an on-call advocate for the Family Support Center's (403 N High St, Chippewa Falls) 24/7 crisis line, simply attend one of the informational sessions on either April 28 or April 29.