NASV seeks volunteers with office skills and compassion for children

With an increasing client base, the Southeast Missouri Network Against Sexual Violence needs help with day-to-day office tasks from local people wanting to give back to their community.

NASV executive staff say they're seeking volunteers who are compassionate and who enjoy being around children.

Tammy Gwaltney, executive director for NASV, said they've given medical assistance to 341 clients so far this year, not including clients seeking counseling or who see the organizations' victim advocates.

"We are seeing more clients every year and need more volunteers," said NASV human resource director Uzma Aziz. "We have only one receptionist who covers the whole office, and right now we have three therapists, plus we see medical clients."

People interested in volunteering at NASV must be at least 18 years old and pass a criminal background check, Aziz said.

Once approved, volunteers will complete a 40-hour in-service training program on a variety of topics concerning sexual abuse and assault.

Gwaltney said the length of training, however, shouldn't intimidate those interested in volunteering. The training is split up over the time the volunteers give to NASV.

NASV will assign volunteer duties based on the person's skills, Gwaltney said.

Duties can include answering the phone, greeting clients, organizing or cleaning the office or interacting with the child. Many of the children clients they see don't have a lot of social skills or opportunities for development, Gwaltney said. A volunteer may choose to read them a story, teach them their ABCs or help them learn how to identify colors.

"There are so many opportunities here, particularly if people are concerned about children and want to be a part of the healing process for the kids," Gwaltney said.

NASV forensic nurse Lisa Baker said volunteers will not be expected to deal with the reason why children are seeking help through the agency.

Tiffani Stone, now 22, began volunteering with the agency at 15. She said her mother worked for NASV, and Stone often helped with brochures or organized paperwork for conferences. Stone also spent many hours with children, including reading them stories or offering them snacks.

Stone's experience as a volunteer at NASV was so rewarding, she now is employed by the agency as a transcriptionist.

"If they enjoy being around people and enjoy helping kids, I think that volunteering at a place like NASV is very, very important," Stone said. "I know the kids, they really appreciate it. We try to make it feel like a home for them when they're there."

People interested in volunteering or those seeking more information about the opportunity can call 332-1900 or visit www.semonasv.org.

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