Get Involved

So you want to become a volunteer at TRCC/MWAR, great!

We are always seeking dynamic women and transfolk representing Toronto's diverse communities who are committed to working from a feminist anti-oppressive framework to support survivors of sexual violence and to help eradicate sexual violence against women, transfolk and children.

More information about Volunteering 

We do two volunteer trainings a year in the Spring and Fall. An orientation session is held a few weeks prior that is mandatory for anyone who wants to become a Crisis Line Counsellor, volunteer in our Court Support, Accompaniment and Advocacy Program, volunteer at our Information and Referral Desk and/or volunteer in any of the centre’s programs.

At the Orientation session you will find out about the centre’s anti-oppression philosophy and practices; programs and activities; various volunteer opportunities; fill out a questionnaire and basically check us out.

If you are interested in attending the Orientation, please email Tonia at volunteering@trccmwar.ca or call 416-597-1171 ext. 229 and have your name added to the list to be contacted with the details of our next session in the Spring of 2012.  

Can I start volunteering right away?

Sure you can! If you have some daytime availability and can commit to volunteering on our Information Desk one morning or afternoon shift every two weeks. As an information desk volunteer your responsibilities will include answering the phones, booking counselling, greeting women when they come in for counselling, and assisting with other office duties as required.

TRCC/MWAR’s Information and Referral Desk

Why volunteer for the Info Desk?

Working on the Information desk is a great introduction to our staff and volunteers along with a total overview of the kind of work we do. The desk is at the hub of TRCC/MWAR’s office. Many women transfolk find it to be a terrific place to begin their volunteer experience and to get to know the centre.

Info and referral desk volunteers have said these things about their work on the desk:

“I like when someone calls back and remembers that I have helped them out with some information before”

“I love the interaction with the other women here – I’m happy to do any work including licking stamps because of the respect I get”

“I’m always learning something. You could never work here so long that there wasn’t something to learn.”

Info desk volunteers meet for lunch every few months to talk about our work. These meetings provide volunteers with opportunities to socialize and to discuss improvements and new ideas for operating the desk. The food is good too!

What’s Involved?

Volunteers attend one three-hour training. The training includes responding to information requests, providing basic referrals, and working with women who arrive for counselling appointments. Women in training then sign up to do a few “observe” shifts with trained volunteers on the desk. Once the observes are done, volunteers are ready to sign up on the shift schedule.

Information and referral desk shifts are on weekdays from 10 am – 1:15 pm and from 1:30 pm – 5 pm. Volunteers are asked to sign up for one shift a month, but are welcome to do more.

For more information, or to sign up for an Info and Referral Desk training, call Karlene at 416-597-1171, x 223 or email us at volunteering@trccmwar.ca.

More information about Volunteering

Want to be part of a Social Movement

TRCC/MWAR operates as a non-profit, grassroots feminist/womanist anti-violence organization whose principles of anti-racist, anti-oppression are demonstrated in our day to day practices of service delivery, outreach and social activism. We are currently in the recruitment of Volunteers for our various programs 24- hour Crisis Counseling Intervention line, Advocacy & Support, and other sub-committees within the organization.

As a volunteer with TRCC/MWAR you decide how involved you want to be. Maybe you only have a couple of hours a month, or perhaps you're looking for a couple of hours a week. Either way, there’s something for you with our organization. The tasks accomplished by our volunteers range from helping around the office to creating entire programs.

Here are some of the ways you can help:

Information Desk – Help out around the office by preparing mailings, stocking and maintaining the reference library, or responding to information requests from coalition members.

Advocacy & Support – provide accompaniment to survivors attending, criminal injuries/ compensation hearing, court appearances, medical, housing, social assistance, immigration/refugee appeals etc.

Training – Attend speaking engagements where you'll talk with others about the impacts of sexual violence on the lives of women and girls, organize rallies designed to make people aware of the prevalence of sexual assault and its costs to people and society. Provide support on our 24 hour crisis intervention line to survivors of sexual violence...

And anything else you can think of that will help to break the silence about sexual violence!

More information about Student Placements