Berks Women in Crisis


Volunteer Opportunities

Individuals interested in becoming volunteers should complete the downloadable application form directly below or through the mail. Send to:

Volunteer Application

Berks Women in Crisis
Attn: Volunteer Coordinator
645 Penn Street, 2nd Floor
Reading , PA 19601

After reviewing your application, Berks Women In Crisis will contact you to set up an interview.

There are many volunteer opportunities for members of our community available at Berks Women in Crisis. Volunteers who work directly with clients must complete a 60-hour training course. There are many volunteer opportunities that do NOT require special training. These include:

  • Special Events (silent witness march and dedication every October; fundraising events, seminar registrations, etc.)
  • Staffing booths and tables at volunteer and health fairs
  • Caring for children at our shelter (e.g., playing games, making crafts, and reading books)
  • Spring Cleaning
  • Painting
  • Donation Pick-up (do you have a pick-up truck to help with furniture? - or a set of hands and a strong back?)
  • Clerical/Secretary Help (e.g., organizing bulk mailings)
  • Collecting cell phones for recycling and fundraising
  • Participating on our fundraising committee
  • Cooking a meal for clients at the shelter (could be as many as 28 people)
  • Obtaining gift cards for local grocery stores and/or pharmacies so staff at the shelter can purchase fresh vegetables and meats as well as daily need personal items for residents
  • Sponsoring a transitional housing family at holidays with items such as food baskets, gifts, clothing (ie - at Christmas, a tree with ornaments, food items and gifts for the entire family; at Mother's Day, a food basket; at Easter, baskets filled with goodies and food for a good dinner, etc.)
  • Helping at Emma's Place (tutoring children, field trips, summer assistance, etc.)

Volunteers who are interested in working directly with the clients Berks Women in Crisis serves must complete a 60-hour training that provides the special skills and information needed to work with and advocate for victims. These volunteer opportunities include:

  • Working with crisis victims of domestic and sexual violence at the local hospitals
  • Answering phones at our shelter
  • Answering crisis hotline calls (Spanish and English)
  • Reception duties when staff are in mandatory meetings or trainings
  • Working with clients in the shelter or in transitional housing with special projects like artistic endeavors
  • Teaching English as a second language
  • Organize a Friday-night game and pizza party for the shelter residents
  • If you have special skills or talents to share, our transitional housing residents and shelter residents may need your help (how to balance a checking account, how to make a monthly budget, parenting, organizational skills, etc.)

Our special 60-hour training is offered twice a year. Typically, sessions are for 10 weeks, two 3-hour sessions per week. The fall session begins in early September and takes place on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9 AM until noon. The Spring session begins in March and takes place on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 5:30 until 8:30 PM.