GIVE

Volunteer Opportunities

Stepping Stones volunteers are always needed. The 40-hour training covers all information needed to become a trained volunteer advocate.

Contact YWCA Stepping Stones at (309) 662-0461 or learn more about the upcoming training below.

The volunteer training covers types of sexual violence, rape trauma syndrome, crisis intervention techniques, listening/communication skills, medical and legal advocacy, the psychology of sexual violence and information about community partners providing different levels of assistance to survivors.

Confidentiality is required.

After completing the 40-hour training, volunteers are qualified to help in many different Stepping Stones areas:

  • Taking hotline calls
  • Providing prevention education on anti-bullying, sexual violence, healthy relationships, privilege and oppression, and more in McLean County to schools, businesses, or groups
  • Provide support at public events
  • Data entry and other office work
  • Translating materials from English to Spanish and interpreting during counseling and advocacy sessions

Training is held at YWCA McLean County, 1201 N. Hershey Rd. in Bloomington (lower level entrance).

If you are interested in becoming a Stepping Stones volunteer, apply online. After the application is submitted, you will be contacted to schedule an orientation/interview.

Be there for someone in need.
Apply to be a volunteer advocate.

More Details
Online Volunteer Application
Contact Us About Volunteering

Volunteer Highlights

Nathan Parks

Our September Volunteer Highlight is Nathan Parks. Nathan has been a volunteer for the Stepping Stones hotline for four years. Nathan grew up in Morton, IL but has been a part of the Bloomington-Normal community for 16 years. He spends his free time teaching piano lessons and making music and art. You can often find Nathan’s artwork available for purchase on the walls of the CoffeeHouse in Uptown Normal.

Nathan volunteers with Stepping Stones because he has known many people who have been heavily affected by sexual assault and felt it was important for more males to be involved. “Using my knowledge and experience with trauma-related issues to be there for someone who is suffering,” is what Nathan finds most rewarding about volunteering with YWCA Stepping Stones.

In 2016 Nathan won the Phil Covey Memorial Award of Excellence through The United Way for his work as a volunteer advocate at YWCA Stepping Stones.

Charlotte Maynen

Our August Volunteer Highlight is Charlotte Maynen. Charlotte has been a volunteer on our hotline providing counseling over the phone and medical advocacy at our local emergency rooms for almost three years. Charlotte moved from Palatine, IL to Normal in 2010 to attend Illinois State University where she completed a bachelor’s degree in sociology. When she is not volunteering on the hotline, you can find Charlotte serving at Medici in Uptown Normal.

“I feel that the long-term emotional damage done to survivors of sexual assault is not well understood by many people,” explained Charlotte of why she volunteers. “I am passionate about all survivors deserving a stable, safe, and comforting place to turn to for help at any point during their healing—whether it is hours, months, years, or decades after the assault. I know the work YWCA Stepping Stones does is important and needed.”

Charlotte said the most rewarding part of volunteering is when someone says she helped them feel better. We hear from clients very often how Charlotte helped them feel better. Thank you, Charlotte for all the work you do for us, our clients, and this community. Join us in thanking Charlotte for helping to make McLean County a better place for survivors of sexual assault.

Sam

Our July Volunteer Highlight is Sam