V o l u n t e e r i n g   w i t h   Y F E S

Volunteering with YFES is an excellent opportunity to learn more about yourself and receive valuable training while making an important contribution to your Community. We spend a significant amount of time and energy to ensure that volunteers, clients and staff all mutually benefit from the volunteer experience.

As a non-profit organization, YFES depends on literally thousands of hours of volunteer work each year to serve our clients and meet our program goals. We see volunteers as partners in our organization—as unpaid staff instrumental in helping us meet our goals. Several of our programs could not run without the contributions of dedicated volunteers.

All volunteer positions receive training and ongoing support from YFES staff. We ask for a minimum 6 month commitment for most volunteer positions.

Below are several ongoing volunteer opportunities within YFES. Other volunteer opportunities exist depending on volunteer skills and interest. Please contact us by telephone at (650) 591-9623 or by e-mail at volunteers@yfes.org for more information, or if you would like to discuss volunteering in a capacity you do not see described below.

YFES Volunteer Opportunities:

Volunteer opportunities for youth (18 and younger) are available through the Crisis Center and the Youth Development Initiative. Please visit www.onyourmind.net and www.bethedifference.org for more information.

Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Telephone Counselors
The Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Center offers counseling, support and referrals to callers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Crisis Line volunteers take calls from the Suicide Hotline, the Parent Support Line and the Drug and Alcohol Helpline. Volunteers take calls from individuals dealing with issues that include: family stress, relationships, suicide, substance abuse, and mental illness. Our lines provide a safe and anonymous place to explore feelings and concerns, vent frustrations, clarify problems, get referrals or just talk.

Volunteers receive extensive training and ongoing support as they broaden their knowledge base and hone their listening skills. Requires a 4 hour per week, one-year minimum commitment. Must be at least 21.

Be the lifeline for someone who needs help!
There are hundreds of people in your area who are struggling with issues in their lives, but don’t feel they have anyone to ask for help. If you are a good listener, have a passion for helping those in need, and can give just four hours a week, you can make a real difference by becoming a volunteer on San Mateo County’s 24-hour crisis hotline.

The YFES Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Center is seeking new telephone counselors immediately. You must be at least 21, and are asked to commit to a minimum of 4 hours per week for one year.

Call us today for more information about how you can help! Contact Lea Olivier at 650-579-0359 ext. 13 or by e-mail at lea.olivier@yfes.org.

Tutors and Group Facilitators for Youth Residential Programs
Our Daybreak and Your House South residential facilities have opportunities for caring and positive adults to provide tutoring, cook meals with residents, facilitate small groups on healthy living-related topics and organize weekend outings. Volunteers needed mostly on weekday evenings and some weekends.

Training is provided and staff is always on-site. Requires a 2-5 hour per week, six month minimum commitment. Must be at least 21.

Transportation Providers
To ensure that all youth who want to can participate, we are looking for adult volunteers willing to provide transportation to and from meetings and events for high school students serving on the Youth Commission, the Youth Assets Team and participating in other Youth Development events and activities. Most meetings take place in the afternoon or early evenings in Redwood City and Central San Mateo, although times and locations vary throughout San Mateo County. For more information about the Youth Development Initiative, please visit www.bethedifference.org.

Family Law Assistance
Family Law Services, located in Redwood City, seeks volunteers with experience and/or an interest in Family Law, and a desire to help members of the community struggling with Family Law issues. Opportunities exist to help clients with legal paperwork, assist in running legal workshops and general administration of the program. Legal Internships also available.

Spanish Translation and/or Interpretation
Opportunities are available for bilingual/bi-cultural volunteers to act as interpreters during workshops and/or consultations, or to translate documents.

Administrative Assistance
We have opportunities at several programs throughout the Agency to assist with filing, quarterly mailings, answering telephones and greeting clients.

To begin the process of becoming a YFES Volunteer, please print and complete our Volunteer Application Form below and send via fax, mail or e-mail to:

Volunteer Coordinator
610 Elm Street, Ste. 212
San Carlos, CA 94070
Tel: (650) 591-9623
FAX: (650) 591-9650
E-mail: volunteers@yfes.org

Volunteer Application Form