Make a Difference -- Volunteer!

Advocates must be over 18 years of age and willing to consent to a complete criminal history check.  Advocates are asked to commit to serving a minimum of eight hours per week for one year.  Additional volunteer hours may be required at the time of trial.

Positions available

Protective Order Unit

The Protective Order Unit was created in 1997 to assist the community who are seeking a protective order. Advocates in the Protective Order Unit assist petitioners who are related by blood, marriage, adoption, intimate relationship, or a victim of crime. 

Services that advocates provide are the following:

· Providing assistance in completing  protective order forms.

· Providing accurate information regarding the protective order process.

· Accompanying petitioners to the court hearing.

· Making referrals when appropriate to community resources.

Advocates in the Protective Order Unit are educated on the dynamics of domestic violence and have the ability to work with clients in crisis.

Hours: M-F 8am—12pm

Court Advocacy Unit  

Under Oregon law, advocates of the Court Advocacy Unit provide crime victims with their rights, notification of court hearings, and attend court hearings with crime victims.

The Victim Services Program has provided services to victims of crime since 1985.  The goal of the program is to provide comprehensive services to crime victims involved in the criminal justice system, who have a case that is being prosecuted by the District Attorney’s Office.  Advocates are assigned to all cases involving victims of crime, ranging from misdemeanor crimes to major crimes.

Services include the following:

• Clearly explaining the local criminal justice system to victims, provide case specific information as appropriate and advise crime victims of their rights as mandated by law.

• Provide and assist victims with referral information to community resources such as legal services, and mental health treatment.

• Accompanying victims to court proceedings.

• Provide emotional support.

• Assist victims with various levels of assistance by documenting financial loss due to the crime, coordinating victims schedules for meetings, grand jury, trial and other court hearings.

• Providing accurate information and education about the criminal justice process.
  

The Court Advocacy Unit is available to current volunteers who have completed the Protective Order Unit training and are able to meet the time commitment.
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 Hours: M-F 8am-5pm

 "Volunteers don't get paid, not because they're worthless, but because they're priceless"

Sherry Anderson