Become a Volunteer!

Thank you for expressing interest in volunteering with us! For over forty years, volunteers have played a central role in helping SARSSM provide services to survivors of sexual violence. We would not be able to meet our mission without the efforts and compassion of our many wonderful volunteers. ​
helpline volunteer​
Click here to access the online helpline volunteer application!

Volunteer advocates are needed for SARSSM’s 24-hour Helpline serving York and Cumberland Counties. Volunteer advocates listen, provide emotional support, and offer resources. These volunteers also help survivors by accompanying them to the hospital or police station. Through this rewarding volunteer experience you can directly impact a person’s life in a positive way.  
 
Benefits include: 
  • Volunteering right from your own home. Our answering services forwards calls directly to you 
  • Shifts scheduled in advance, making it easy to work into your schedule and plan your volunteering 
  • Meeting other volunteers dedicated to making a difference in their community 
  • Using your experience as a volunteer advocate to build your resume or add to your professional career  

We Ask that Volunteer Advocates:
  • Complete our agency’s comprehensive 40-hour advocate training program, “Help in Healing”
  • Be at least 18 years of age 
  • Take one shift per week (7-9 hours), including at least one weekend shift a month 
  • Commit to serving as an advocate for at least a calendar year 
  • Attend at least 8 advocate meetings annually to connect with fellow advocates and SARSSM staff and receive additional professional development 
  • Sign a confidentiality statement and submit to a background check 
  • Have reliable transportation​
special events volunteer
We have many community awareness and fundraising events throughout the year. These include events such as Take Back the Night programs, outreach tabling at community fairs, and our signature (and delicious!) fundraising event, the Chocolate Lovers’ Fling! Whether you have just a few hours a week to a few hours a year for volunteering, we have an opportunity for you!  ​
ADMINISTRATIVE VOLUNTEER
Click here to access the online administrative volunteer application!

Volunteer Advocate: Expectations & Responsibilities
 Include but are not limited to the following:
  • Be 18 years of age or older·
  • Maintain confidentiality at all times
  • Help the Program Manager of Advocate and Outreach Services with administrative tasks involving volunteer management (scheduling the helpline, volunteer recruitment, organizing documents, etc.)

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

Helpline Volunteer
SARSSM is currenlty in the middle of a July training and does not have any plans to start a new training up. To get a head start for the next training, complete an application!

Note: The online training will be approximately 20 hours via video (Zoom) and then about 15 - 20 hours of individual work. If you are interested or have more questions, apply now! The volunteer coordinator will get back to you as soon as possible. 
*​This email form is for general contact with us. Email is not a safe or private way to talk to someone about sexual assault, harassment, or abuse. You can also send us a text at 1-800-871-7741 or a chat by clicking here. We can text or chat between 8am-11pm, Monday through Friday. You can call us at 1-800-871-7741 anytime.
Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine is funded in part by Maine's Department of Health and Human Services, the United Way of Greater Portland, the United Way of York County, and your generous public and private donations. 

In accordance with federal regulations, Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine does not discriminate in the access to or provision of its services.
For help, call or text us at 1-800-871-7741. Text help is available Monday-Friday, 8am-8pm. Phone help is available 24/7. You can also chat with us by clicking here.

SARSSM serves York and Cumberland Counties.