Volunteers play a critical role in allowing our agency to provide high quality, effective, and 24 hour services to survivors and those supporting survivors in our community. We appreciate your interest in joining us in that work and invite you to look further at the different opportunities we currently have available. Our needs as an agency change as the needs of our clients do, so volunteer positions adapt to reflect this commitment to support.
This page is updated periodically so please check back or email info@actompkins.org if you have a specific skill you are looking to share with the agency.
Ways to Volunteer:
Take Back The Night
Take Back the Night is held annually in April and includes a march, rally, speak-out, and vigil. The event’s purpose is to unite the community to support survivors and envision an end to sexual assault, domestic violence, rape, and child sexual abuse. Our local TBTN event fosters collaboration between the three college campuses, schools, and community members throughout Ithaca and Tompkins County. Participants gather together as survivors, supporters, and allies, bearing witness to harms that have been done and holding space for hope of a future without sexual and relationship violence. Volunteering opportunities include:
- Fundraising
- Helping with the sound system or stage management
- Conducting outreach
- Gathering participants at march locations
- Participating in a planned, short speak-out
- Taking photos and/or videos
- Supporting us with set-up/clean up for the event
Reach out to our Community Engagement Specialist, vbarics@actompkins.org, if you are interested and please include specific items that sound most interesting to you. We are open to any ideas that you may bring to the table!
Fundraisers and Donation Drives
We appreciate the support of community donors and fundraisers, and your work is crucial to our operation as an agency. For more information about fundraisers and donations, please visit our Support Our Work page. These opportunities can be a great way to engage your community.
If you are interested in hosting a donation drive, please note that we have limited storage space and our donation needs shift periodically, so make sure to check out our Amazon wish list or contact us at info@actompkins.org with specific inquiries.
Internships/Outreach & Tabling
Work with our dedicated staff to cultivate an experience that feels meaningful to you!
If you are a college student interested in an internship with our Education Department, please reach out to akabat@actompkins.org with a brief cover letter and resume. If you are looking to fulfill an internship requirement for school, please indicate that. Please also note that we are not able to offer compensation for internships at this time.
Our Education Department staff travels throughout Tompkins County to share information about agency services and events through tabling. We visit schools, college campuses, and community locations to spread awareness and provide resources. If you are passionate about the work we do, tabling can be a great opportunity for direct connection with the wider community. Staff will train you and equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary for successful community engagement.
Outreach opportunities also include assisting with writing blogs, creating marketing materials, and other communication projects, based on your skills. If you are interested in an outreach volunteer position, please contact our Community Engagement Specialist: vbarics@actompkins.org. If you are a college student or organization interested in tabling or outreach work, please contact our Campus Educator: akabat@actompkins.org.
Youth Opportunities
If you are a middle school student or high school student interested in volunteering with us, we have opportunities for you as well! Recent opportunities have included traveling to Albany for a lobbying day and assisting with Take Back the Night. If you are interested, have questions or ideas please contact our Youth Educator: sdomachowske@actompkins.org.
24 Hour Hotline Volunteer
Hotline Volunteers help staff our 24-Hour Hotline and provide crisis counseling, advocacy, support, and referrals to adult and youth victims of domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, and sexual abuse. Volunteers are required to make a minimum one-year (two semester) commitment that includes four hotline shifts per month. Comprehensive training is provided. 40 hour training commitment includes evenings and weekends. Hotline volunteers do not work in a call center. Shifts are done remotely.
We will begin to accept applications for our January 2026 Hotline Volunteer Training Class in the fall of 2025. If you are interested in this role and have questions about applying or any other questions, please email: vbarics@actompkins.org.
Board of Directors
The Advocacy Center’s Board of Directors and Committees are made up of volunteers who establish policies for the agency, organize fundraising and ensure fiscal stability. If you would like more information on becoming a Board member, contact us at: info@actompkins.org.
Other Ways to Help – Have a skill and project idea? Reach out to us at info@actompkins.org with information on how you’d like to contribute your time, talent and efforts!