- Toll-free Crisis Hotline 24/7
1-800-522-3304
If you are in immediate danger, please call 911
Frequently Asked Questions about Hotline Volunteering
About Us
- I have been in an abusive relationship in the past and New Hope for Women helped me to get out of it. Now I would like to volunteer. Are clients able to volunteer?
- How do I become a hotline volunteer?
- What are shifts?
- How many shifts do I have to take a month?
- Do I have to be at the office to answer the hotline?
- Do clients call me at my home?
- Won't the client see my number on caller ID and know my name?
- How long are trainings and when are they offered?
- How long do I have to volunteer for?
- What are the topics covered in training?
- What if while training I find the hotline is not for me?
- What if I am on a hotline call and it is really difficult and I am unsure what services to offer?
- How busy is the hotline? How many calls will I get during a shift?
- I have been in an abusive relationship in the past and New Hope for Women helped me to get out of it. Now I would like to volunteer. Are clients able to volunteer?
- It is the policy of New Hope for Women that anyone who is presently in an abusive relationship cannot be a hotline volunteer. Our volunteers need to be in a safe environment to deliver our services. Our clients need to be assured confidentiality and safety. We ask that prospective volunteers be out of their abusive relationship for at least a year and not be involved in a divorce or custody proceeding.
- How do I become a hotline volunteer?
- You can fill out an application or call our office at 594-2129 and ask to speak with the Volunteer Coordinator. After submitting an application, we will set up a meeting in order to get to know you better.
- What are shifts?
- New Hope staff covers the hotline during weekdays from 8am-5pm, except on holidays when the office is closed. Hotline shifts are at night, on the weekends, and when the office is closed for a holiday. The shifts are 8am-5pm and 5pm-8am.
- How many shifts do I have to take a month?
- We ask that out hotline volunteers take at least three shifts a month, with one of those shifts being a weekend.
- Do I have to be at the office to answer the hotline?
- No. You call clients from the convenience of your own home.
- Do clients call me at my home?
- No. You will call the client. A client calls the hotline and New Hope for Women's answering service takes the initial call. The answering service then calls the volunteer with the clients name and phone number.
- Won't the client see my number on caller ID and know my name?
- We teach all our volunteers how to block their phone numbers before calling a client. A client must be able to receive blocked numbers in order to get called back. We only give our first name when speaking with clients.
- How long are trainings and when are they offered?
- We offer hotline training twice a year in fall and the spring. Usually we hold trainings on evenings from 5:30-8:30pm for a six-week period.
- How long do I have to volunteer for?
- We ask that our volunteers commit to working on the hotline for at least a year. We depend on our volunteers in order for New Hope to function smoothly.
- What are the topics covered in training?
- We cover many topics, including the dynamics of domestic violence, crisis counseling, safety planning, and oppression. We also practice role-plays in order to learn the steps of crisis counseling.
- What if while training I find the hotline is not for me?
- Sometimes people find this type of work is not for them while in training. If you find yourself feeling this way, you can talk to your trainers about your feelings.
- What if I am on a hotline call and it is really difficult and I am unsure what services to offer?
- Our hotline volunteers have a staff backup to support them during their shift. Volunteers can call the staff backup to receive suggestions, or process a difficult call.
- How busy is the hotline? How many calls will I get during a shift?
- There is no way to predict how busy the hotline will be. You could get a few calls or none at all.
You may print a volunteer application form from the following link, and mail or fax it to us:
Your computer use can be monitored by your abuser. Most libraries and some schools have computers for public use.
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Our Locations
Rockland
5 Beech Street
P.O. Box A
Rockland, ME 04841
Ph: (207) 594-2128
Hours: Mon - Fri 9am - 5pmBelfast
111 Church Street
Belfast, ME 04915
Ph: (207) 338-6569
Hours: Thurs 10am - 4pm
and by appointmentDamariscotta
17 Water Street
Damariscotta, ME 04543
Ph: (207) 563-2404
Hours: Thurs 10am - 2pm
and by appointment
