Volunteers primarily help to staff our 24-hour crisis hotline, which includes the following responsibilities:

• Crisis Support: Provide information, support & advocacy to survivors & loved ones on our after-hours hotline.

• Accompaniments: Accompany survivors at law enforcement interviews & medical forensic exams.

• Advocacy: Interact with partner agencies to advocate for survivors' rights and their loved ones.

• Emergency Shelter: Intake & transport clients into our emergency shelters, orienting them and providing support throughout. 

Non-Crisis Line opportunities include:

• Prevention Education: Assist our education team with prevention programs & community organizing in the classroom and community.

• Community Outreach: Staff information tables at community health fairs, farmer's markets, fundraising events, and other events.

• Marketing and Communication: Assist with project based outreach and marketing campaigns.

• People & Culture: Assist our human resources team with policy development and administration.

• Events & Fundraising: Support event planning and fundraising initiatives.

• Reach out for other opportunities!
  

As a nonprofit organization that serves victims/survivors of intimate partner violence & sexual assault/abuse and their loved ones, Lumina Alliance provides comprehensive programs, services and resources to the community. Our services include a 24-hour crisis line, accompaniment and advocacy on behalf of survivors dealing with partner agencies, in-person crisis counseling, clinical therapy, case management, emergency shelter, prevention education programs, support groups, and assistance with applying for restraining orders.

Our Mission: Empower those impacted by sexual and intimate partner violence through innovative advocacy, healing, and prevention programs. 

Our Vision: Create a safe, thriving, and equitable community. 

The name Alianza Lumina/ Lumina Alliance was chosen as the name of the new organization for its metaphorical alignment with our mission. “Lumina” is of Latin origin and means to light, to illuminate, to shine, and to enlighten. We believe the name will inspire hope and invoke feelings of safety and warmth. It is also a metaphor for our work in shining a light on the issues of sexual and intimate partner violence, which have long been kept in the dark. We hope to serve as a guiding light for our community in ending sexual assault/ abuse and intimate partner violence through innovative prevention education services.

“Alliance” or “Alianza” refers to the alliance of Stand Strong and RISE as we become one organization. Alliance also represents our organization's alliance with survivors and their loved ones and with our community as we work to end gender-based violence together.

Link for more information: https://luminaalliance.org/

For this certification course, you will be able to use the skills you learn on our crisis line as a volunteer or to take the course for professional development. Please read over the volunteer description below for more information.

Professional Development: $300

Complete course and become a certified CA Crisis Counselor, will not volunteer with Lumina Alliance. Often time paid for by the employer. 

Volunteer: $200

$50 returned after 6 months of volunteers, and another $50 after 1 year. A total of $100 returned to the volunteer after the year of service!

• Passion for ending intimate partner violence & sexual assault.

• Patient, empathetic, and sensitive to the diverse needs and backgrounds of clients

• Ability (or willingness to learn) to communicate effectively with people in crisis and remain calm during crisis situations

• Must maintain complete client & shelter location confidentiality.

• Bilingual (English/Spanish) language capabilities are strongly preferred but not required.

Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Assault are welcome, but they must be emotionally ready to assist other survivors. As the training and work can be triggering, we encourage abundant self-awareness, self-care, and a significant amount of healing before enrolling in the class. We require that at least one year has passed after receiving and completing services from Lumina Alliance before volunteering with us. 

Attendance & Commitment:

• Attendance is mandatory at all training sessions.

• Commitment to a minimum of 1 year of volunteer service with the agency.

• Attendance at 8 of 12 monthly in-service (continuing education) meetings per year of service.

• Commitment to 3 after-hours crisis hotline shifts (equates to 16-46 hours of on-call time) per month. Your commitment begins the month after your successful completion of the training.

Other Requirements:

• Reliable transportation (for accompaniments & shelter intakes)

• Valid driver’s license.

• Proof of current automobile insurance.

• Cell phone accessibility.

• 18 years old by the time of the first crisis shift.

• Successful completion of a fingerprint background check

• California state certification as an Intimate Partner Violence & Sexual Assault Crisis Counselor in accordance with California Penal Code. (That's what the training is for!)