VOLUNTEER TRAINING
Volunteer Overview
Generally, we ask that you be at least 18 years old and willing to commit to a year of service. You will be matched to an organization depending on interest, availability, and skill set. If you come into ARM of Care and are interested in volunteering but have not had the necessary training in trauma, experience, or support in your own healing process, we will require that you spend more time getting such support before we place you with any of our participants. However, if you want to volunteer in another capacity as you learn and grow, please feel free to let us know that. It is our desire that you would be serving in ARM of Care using the gifts and talents, and skills and strengths that you have been given. There could be times where you are asked to do tasks not in your area of strength, so we ask you to be patient while we are finding a fit for you in our work.
ARM of Care serves agencies in six counties in Northern California. We do onsite programs as well as attend outside venues for special events such as meals, ballet, theatre, beach/surfing, hiking, ball games, and museums. Creative Arts therapy groups occur weekly, bi-monthly, quarterly and on an as needed basis. Programs can range from 1 to 2 hours to 2 to 3-day retreats. Ongoing groups are held at various times during the week and on weekends.
The groups are structured to provide a safe place for participants to freely explore and express their feelings through creativity. A project, activity or materials are made available, and the participants have a choice to respectfully participate. During group time, practitioners and volunteers are responsive to the requests of the participants to give them the sense of having their needs met. It is important to remember that they often worry about issues of safety and survival. They need to feel safe to heal, while we help them restore a sense of security and regulation over themselves and their relationships. Allowing them to direct their experience as much as possible, without imposing our ideas of how things should go, enables them to take ownership of their lives.
Volunteer Expectations/Skills Needed
For those who experience chaos and loss, having people who show up faithfully for each group session is of great importance. Giving the gift of commitment and regularity builds trust for positive relationships which is as important as the expressive process and somatic arts component of our programs.
Volunteers are expected to
- Fill out a volunteer application
- Arrive on time for assigned groups
- Communicate with your Team Practitioner if you need to miss a group with as much notice as possible
- Remember you are a guest in the sponsoring agency’s space
- Provide individual attention and loving guidance to participants in the group
- Be willing to be flexible during the programs (may mean you would be in an uncomfortable situation)
- Make a year commitment to an ongoing volunteer opportunity
- Help the Practitioner set up and clean up after group
- Healthfully manage their own responses
- Help with taking photos (will be instructed and given permission by participants)
- Help hand out and collect evaluations
- Comply with confidentiality agreements from partner agencies
