Volunteers originally founded HAVEN in 1975. They were the cornerstone of our programs and, today, continue to be an important part of the HAVEN team as we continue to help those in need. Our volunteers work directly with survivors to bring about real change in their lives. But sometimes, it’s the volunteers who walk away from the experience the most changed.

Complete List of HAVEN Volunteer Programs:

For information about how you can make a difference, call (248) 334-1284, ext. 659. You will be sent information about programs, training, and how to start our application process.

Social Action

Be there right away. In this role, you’ll carry a pager so you can respond immediately to someone who has been in a domestic violence or sexual assault incident. You’ll be the one they turn to as an advocate and supporter.

Crisis and Support Line

Be there when someone reaches out for help. You’ll answer our 24-hour hotline to provide support and information to survivors, their families and the community.

Male Mentors

Be a role model. You’ll work with the children staying in our shelter. Many of them don’t have any men to look up to — let them look up to you.

Child Watch Volunteer

Volunteers provide a fun and safe environment for children of all ages while their parent receives counseling services.  You must enjoy working and interacting with children of all ages.  This position requires you to come in weekly on a regular schedule and/or on an as-needed basis. 

Crisis Line Volunteer

Volunteers answer our 24-hour crisis line, provide support and empathy to survivors, and offer resources and information to community members. This position requires a commitment of 4 hours every week.

HAVEN Garden Project

HAVEN has a vegetable garden could use some volunteer help. Last year, we harvested 2100 pounds of produce that was used by our clients and others in need. We could use your help with weeding, harvesting, etc.

Male Mentor/Children’s Volunteer

Volunteers watch and play with children and mentor children of all ages. This position requires a commitment of 4 hours every week.

Personal Protection Order (PPO) Office Volunteer

Volunteers provide assistance and emotional support to survivors of domestic violence, stalking and physical abuse. Volunteers educate clients on procedures involved in obtaining a Personal Protection Order as well as safety measures. This position requires a commitment of four hours every week.

Prevention Education Volunteer

Volunteers give presentations to groups on the topics of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and sexual harassment. Presentations are scheduled ahead of time to meet volunteer availability.

Residential Program Volunteer

Shelter volunteers help manage day-to-day issues, including listening to survivors, conducting intake interviews, answering questions, helping during group therapy sessions and monitoring the playroom. This position requires a commitment of 4 hours every week.

Social Action Volunteer

Volunteers offer on-call crisis intervention to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault at Oakland County hospitals and police departments and the HAVEN START center. This position requires a minimum of 48 hours of on-call time every month.

Support Service Volunteer

Volunteers can help with office work, sorting donations, painting the fence, cleaning children’s toys, planting flowers in the spring and bulbs in the fall and many other important tasks that keep HAVEN functioning. Volunteers can also help with educating the community about these issues by sitting at booths at community organization fairs.

Intern Program

The HAVEN Intern Program recruits, trains, and supervises students from a number of colleges and universities. Master’s, bachelor’s, and associate degree candidates from a variety of human service professions (counseling, social work, psychology) receive practical experience in domestic violence, sexual assault and child witness to violence treatment and prevention.

The Intern Program offers students opportunities to gain experience in interpersonal practice, community outreach and administration. In addition to providing direct service, students are also instrumental in assisting with research, grant writing, public policy and program development.

If you would like more information, or are interested in becoming a volunteer or intern at HAVEN, call (248) 334-1284, ext. 659.

Other Ways to Get Involved:

Speakers Bureau

Survivors and their family members can volunteer to speak at different community organizations about domestic violence, sexual assault and their experiences with these issues. By telling their stories, survivors help remove the stigma often attached to victims and encourage those caught in abusive relationships to recognize there are ways to escape the violence.  For an application, click here. 

Teen Advisory Council

Teens 13–17 years of age work on projects related to the youth clients at HAVEN. This group meets twice a month and will receive training on domestic violence, dating violence and sexual assault.  For more information, click here. 

Project List

For a printable list of projects that you or a group can volunteer to do to help HAVEN, click here.

Join the HAVEN Family

Not only does HAVEN do great work … HAVEN is a great place to work. To learn more about employment opportunities at HAVEN, click here.