Volunteer Info

Are you interested in Volunteering with Avalon?

There are two “volunteer tracks” available: Direct Service Volunteers and Non-Direct/Community Volunteers. Volunteers can choose to do opportunities in both tracks. Below you will find a description of all of the opportunities that are available. All training sessions will be held in person at our main office located at 601 Bagley St., Detroit, MI 48226.

Click here to fill out the volunteer application form!

Please note that the next training will not take place until April 2024. Thank you!

Direct Service Volunteers

Direct Service Volunteers work directly with survivors of sexual assault and human trafficking to provide support, advocacy, referrals, and crisis intervention. The direct service opportunities are:

First Response/On-Call

Avalon Healing Center offers immediate crisis intervention, advocacy and medical-forensic healthcare for survivors of sexual violence of all ages 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Volunteer advocates and forensic examiners respond as a team to hospital and clinic sites throughout Wayne County. The role of the Volunteer Advocate is to provide immediate support, information, resources, and referrals to survivors and their supportive loved ones

Facilitating Workshops

In addition to receiving a forensic exam, counseling services, advocacy services, and support group services, survivors engaged with Avalon can also use support in other areas such as education and life skills. Volunteers have the opportunity to create workshops and curriculum related to topics such as resume building, developing healthy relationships, budgeting and financing, self-care, health and wellness, mindfulness, etc. Workshops will be provided to survivors on a quarterly basis (every 3 months) and must be approved by the Director of Crisis and Volunteer Services.

Co-Facilitating Support Groups

There are several support groups services available to survivors of sexual assault and human trafficking including a peer support group, art therapy group, youth support group, and men’s group. Volunteers can assist by co-facilitating support groups with an Avalon staff member by jointly planning group logistics and leading group activities, assisting with setup, and providing support/crisis intervention to group members who may be triggered during the session.

Outreach & Education

At Avalon Healing Center, we believe that education and outreach are foundational and transformative tools for eradicating sexual violence and enhancing the quality of care for sexual assault survivors. Volunteers can assist in providing awareness, education, and information about services to survivors and community members through hosting/attending tabling events and fundraisers. Additionally volunteers can co-facilitate training and presentations to schools, universities, and law enforcement agencies. Volunteers interested in these opportunities will work Directly with the Director of Outreach and Education.

Child Care

Occasionally, child care can serve as a barrier for survivors to receive in-person services such as counseling and attending support groups. Volunteers can help eliminate this barrier by providing child care at the main office to survivors who need it.

Community/ Non-Direct Service Volunteers

Community Volunteers provide assistance “behind the scenes” that helps to further Avalon’s mission and makes our work with survivors run efficiently.

Administrative Support

Volunteers can provide support at our front desk and serve as a greeter for clients and community members. This would include signing in clients and guests and contacting the staff member they are here to see. Volunteers can assist in organizing donations, snacks, clothing and hygiene kits, client files, and create on-call advocacy packets for First Response. Volunteers can also assist in the growth, development, and maintenance of the Avalon Garden and as well as other community spaces in and around the building. FYI-volunteers only interested in administrative support will only need to complete 4 hours of volunteer training (Day 1) and complete necessary shadowing depending on administrative tasks.

Research and Educational Resources

As part of advocacy and support, Avalon organizes and obtains resources to best support survivors and their needs. Volunteers can assist in updating, organizing, and researching resources for shelters, housing, food, legal help, education, employment, clothing, reproductive health, substance abuse, etc. Volunteers will work directly with Avalon’s Advocacy Coordinator.

Social Justice

Avalon Healing Center has a Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) program and we are looking for individuals who are interested in assisting staff with research, focus groups, and programming in that area of work. Individuals will also learn about our work with underserved populations as well as assist us with making sure Avalon continues to remain diverse, equitable, and inclusive. Volunteers will work directly with the Access, Diversity and Equity Coordinator.

Content Developer

Assist Avalon Healing Center in boosting our social media presence. This may include creating content or graphic designs for our social media platforms such as Instagram and Facebook, as well as creating blog posts for our website. Volunteers will work directly with Avalon’s Communications Director for social media opportunities.

SESSIONS FOR 2024

Spring Session (April)
FYI-Training for Direct Service Volunteers ONLY

Weekend 1
Friday April 12th: 5:00pm- 8:00pm (Virtual)
Saturday April 13th: 9:00am-5:00pm
Sunday April 14th: 9:00am-4:00pm

Weekend 2
Friday April 19th: 5:00pm-9:00pm (Virtual)
Saturday April 20th: 9:00am-3:00pm
Sunday April 21st: 9:00am-5:00pm

Volunteer Requirements

All volunteers must:

  • Be 18 years of age or older
  • Attend Avalon Healing Center’s in-person training ( 36 hours for Direct Service Volunteers and 28 hours for Community/Non-Direct Service Volunteers). Volunteers only interested in administrative support will only need to complete 4 hours of training (Day 1) and complete necessary shadowing depending on administrative tasks
  • Review self study material in Google Classroom
  • Commit to working with sexual assault survivors
  • Complete background check
  • Attend quarterly volunteer meetings
  • Adhere to the 6 month volunteer commitment- commit to a minimum of 8 hours of volunteer service per month for the first 6 months of service
  • Adhere to other volunteer requirements, policies, and procedures


Direct Service Volunteers must attend all 6 training sessions (36 hours in total). Non-Direct Service Volunteers must attend the first 5 training sessions (28 hours in total). Those only interested in administrative support only need to attend the first training session (4 hours total) and complete necessary shadowing depending on administrative tasks.