Our 24/7 Hotline could not exist without volunteers. Hotline Advocates respond to hundreds of residents in Medina and Summit County each year by providing crisis intervention, support, information and referrals to sexual assault survivors, co-survivors and community members who access the Hotline. Hotline Advocates serve during scheduled shifts in the daytime, evenings and weekends as Hotline calls are routed to either the Advocate's cell phone or landline phone. Prospective volunteers must have a working landline or cell phone.
In partnership with forensic nurse examiners, Hospital Advocates are highly trained at providing support, information and referrals to sexual assault survivors 14 years old and older during the medical exam, evidence collection and interview process. Community members interested in becoming Hospital Advocates are required to live within 45 minutes of Akron area hospitals. Hospital Advocacy shifts allow volunteers with daytime, evening and weekend availability to schedule for on-call periods.
The legal system can be confusing for survivors choosing to hold their perpetrators accountable. Justice System Advocates are trained to help survivors navigate through the criminal justice system in Medina and Summit Counties. Justice System Advocates provide information about court procedures and accompany survivors to court hearings. Volunteers interested in Justice System Advocacy must complete the basic volunteer training, and an additional court-specific training. Court Advocates must be available during business hours.
The Rape Crisis Center is a non-profit organization funded by federal grants, community fundraisers and special events. The RCC hosts numerous outreach and fundraising events throughout the year to raise money for operating costs. These events are staffed by volunteers who assist in every dimension from marketing to folding leaflets. Volunteers co-chair planning committees and help coordinate special events such as "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes," "Ride for Healing," "Walk and Wag," and "Take Back the Night." Most events take place in evenings and/or on weekends.
For those interested in speaking to others about sexual violence in and around Medina and Summit Counties, the Rape Crisis Center Speakers' Bureau is committed to educating the community on how to stop sexual violence, reducing the stigma associated with these crimes and expanding the community's understanding of these issues. Volunteers can assist by giving presentations to audiences in varied community settings such as civic groups, schools, churches, businesses and other organizations interested in ending sexual violence through education.
