Center For Women in Transition, Champaign, Illinois

508 East Church Street, Champaign, IL 61820

(217)352-7151

info@cwt-cu.org

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteers are so integral to the Center for Women in Transition (CWT) that fostering a strong volunteer program is a top priority to our agency. The Center for Women in Transition welcomes all applicants, but we do require our volunteers to be at least 18 years old, unless they are working with a pre-approved group that is supervised by an adult. Opportunities are available for both individuals and groups.

At CWT, we often rely upon volunteers to perform essential functions; therefore, our volunteers are individuals who take their commitment to community service seriously. There are five important qualities that we look for in all of our volunteers: compassion, flexibility, initiative, honesty, and reliability. We need volunteers who know how to have fun while still being responsible and understanding. Finally, we believe that the quality a volunteer puts into their time at the center is just as important as the quantity of time they put in.

The first step to volunteering with us is to submit a volunteer application. After the application has been submitted, the volunteer coordinator conducts an interview. The interview is an opportunity for the applicant to discuss his or her experience, interests, concerns and expectations and to decide whether the volunteer opportunities offered at The Center are a good fit for the applicant. After the interview, volunteers will select a volunteer position that best matches their skills and interests. In addition, all volunteers must sign up to attend one of our orientation sessions. Finally, volunteers will undergo some simple training specific to the selected position. The amount of training varies with each position.

The following is a list of typical volunteer opportunities. Please see our agency’s profile at cuvolunteer.org for the most updated listings of open volunteer positions.

Children’s Program Assistant

Donation Management Assistant

Emergency Shelter Assistant

House Staff Volunteer

Playroom Assistant

Food Pantry Assistant

Transportation Assistant

Maintenance Assistant

Transitions Store Assistant

Cooking a meal

Facilitating a group

Administrative/Office Support

Fundraising

Wish List Drive

Special Interest/Special Event

Fundraising

Wish List Drive

Special Interest/Special Event

Presby House Opens January 2009

In January 2009, CWT again expanded its program to include Presby House. This property was purchased by the Center and completely renovated by volunteers led by The First Presbyterian Church of Champaign and the First Presbyterian Church of Urbana. Presby House provides permanent housing to four single women.

Since opening its doors, CWT has served well over 3,200 women and children in need of support and temporary housing. Today, the staff and volunteers at CWT continue to reach out and help homeless women and children to improve their lives.