Volunteer Opportunities
You can make a difference in your community volunteering as little as two hours a week. The following programs require attendance at our 8-hour domestic violence pre-service training session and any additional training listed. Volunteer opportunities exist at Middle Way House outreach offices in Owen, Greene, Martin, and Morgan Counties. You can participate in a variety of our programs to satisfy time and activity requirements of University-sponsored internships.
Please fill out the following form if you are interested in volunteering for Middle Way House. Descriptions of many ways you can volunteer follow the form.
Crisis Line—at the shelter
Answer phone lines for crisis calls, staff, and residents. Commitment to 3-4 hour weekly shift or overnight, 11 p.m. to 8 a.m. Because this is an emergency 24-hour service, it is our most immediate need.
Observation shift and phone workshop training in addition to pre-service training required You must be at least 18 and female for this position. Internship opportunities available
On-Scene Advocates (O.S.A.)—carry a pager
Called to scene of domestic violence arrests by police dispatch, OSAs provide a listening ear, information, and other support to rape survivors and domestic violence victims. OSAs assist rape and domestic violence victims at the Emergency Room.
4-6 months experience on the Crisis Line and additional 8-hour OSA training required. Flexible work schedule; sign-up to carry a pager for 15-hour (5PM to 8AM) shifts. You must be at least 18 and female for this position.
Community Reception—at The Rise (Middle Way’s transitional housing program)
Maintain/monitor building security, protect confidentiality, and interact with residents and community members in two-hour shifts, Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Childcare—at The Rise
Work with children from the shelter and The Rise to provide a loving role model and childcare.
Minimum commitment of one consistent 3-hour shift a week. Men and women 18+ (Teen, 14 and up, volunteer opportunities available.) Orientation and additional training Internship opportunities available
Youth Programs and Tutoring—at The Rise
Programs are open from 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Tutors work one-on-one with school-age children living at The Rise.
Legal Advocacy—at the shelter
Work under the supervision of Legal Advocacy Coordinators with victims of abuse seeking legal remedies during office hours (8am-6pm weekdays). Attend court hearings on cases relevant to domestic violence and sexual assault to monitor proceedings and compile reports. Conduct research.
Building Healthy Relationships Program
Provide presentations about healthy relationships, rape and sexual assault to area high school students.
Women’s Program Support—at the shelter
Plan, organize, and participate in activities for the Women’s Program on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Also needed are people to help with interpretation and translation for non-English speaking clients and one-on-one assistance for women preparing for exams or engaged in educational programs. Office help (copying, filing, etc.), materials development, and community and web research projects as needed.
House Management—at the shelter
Shopping, organizing donations, monitoring inventories, working on necessary repairs, maintaining food pantry program and bulletin boards, and participating in various special projects around the shelter. Direct interaction with residents.
Minimum 2-hour shifts Men and women, 16+
Administrative/ Development—at the shelter
There are many opportunities such as working in the Resource Center (library organization, indexing, and research) and administrative staff (to answer phones, do mailings and filing, develop/disseminate publicity and agency newsletter, assist with special events, fundraising, grant writing, etc.).
Site Management Support—at the Rise
Help with apartment inspections, correspondence, researching funding issues, spreadsheets, and assist with finding new ways to improve operation and security.
Share Store—at the Rise
Help with sorting and distributing donations. Creatively maintain a “store” for residents and their families. Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm.
2-hour orientation Minimum 2-hour shift Men and women, 18+
Food Bank—at the Rise
Every other Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to noon work with staff to shop for food at the Hoosier Hills Food Bank and distribute to residents. This opportunity requires heavy lifting.
2-hour orientation Men and women, 16+
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MWH is a United Way agency.