By Emilie Trepanier
Volunteering for Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence will not only give you some inner peace and add purpose to your day, but it can also fill up the negative spaces in your life you need to be filled.
BTSADV’s mission is: “To provide community resources and support services to victims, survivors, and families affected by domestic violence.” Our organization supports a “survivors helping survivors” method; although not being personally affected by domestic shouldn’t deter anyone from applying. If you’re passionate about our cause and you want to give service and support to survivors, you qualify.
At BTSADV, we have a variety of unique volunteer positions as well as the opportunity to grow from within. Several of our members start out in one position, move to another, start another group within the group, and keep soaring from there. Positions range from planning programs, to social media posting, to graphic design and marketing, and to writing. There are so many different positions to choose from because BTSADV is constantly growing and evolving.
Samantha Ives, who volunteers as our outreach committee coordinator said of her experience, “I volunteered for BTS[ADV] so I could help victims of domestic violence realize they too can move from victim to survivor to [thrive].” As a survivor of domestic violence herself, Samantha said BTSADV’s unique Survivor Sister Retreat is what helped her realize she isn’t alone, which helped her finally move on with her life. She said people should volunteer for BTSADV because “…the only way we are going to end domestic violence is 1. To give victims a voice and a chance to truly heal from their abuse so it is not a continuing generational cycle of abuse. 2. educate our communities 3. Educate [abusers].”
Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence takes care of our volunteers. My first few months transitioning into my volunteer position, I was anxious about making any wrong move and about not fitting in. Since then, I have been able to face my fears and begin to trust others again, because BTSADV volunteers are all deeply kind and compassionate. Our organization wants aims to promote a positive atmosphere, and they follow through.
Rebecca Morris, a full-time writer for BTSADV, said she volunteers for several reasons. She said, “… it is so therapeutic and being a part of a group that has the same passion and motivation to make a difference is HUGE.” She also said she volunteers in order “to raise awareness, give survivors a voice, provide family and friends ways to better help those they love, and educate those that aren’t aware of the complex dynamics of [domestic violence].” Through her volunteer efforts, Rebecca said she has also gained a lot of knowledge about domestic violence, helping her be more educated on the topic. This knowledge aids in her third mentioned reason for volunteering, which is to “[change] the way people see [domestic violence]- for good – to prevent [domestic violence], and break the stigma of victims and survivors. I want to be a part of the change.”
As for me, a full-time writer for BTSADV, I am constantly amazed by this organization. Not only is it refreshing to have access to so many open doors of kindness, but I too have become more educated on domestic violence and ways to end it. Volunteering for any non-profit that you are passionate about will make your life lighter. If you are passionate about ending domestic violence in addition to your own personal healing, consider applying to volunteer for Break the Silence Against Domestic Violence.
You can find a list of open volunteer positions here.
