Volunteer Opportunities

Crisis Hotline and Chat Advocates

Hotline and Chat volunteers offer emotional support, information, and referrals through the 24-hour crisis hotline and confidential online Crisis Chat, available 10 am–10 pm, 7 days per week. These services help survivors connect with support when they need it.

Crisis Advocates

Crisis Advocacy volunteers provide in-person crisis response for survivors accessing care through the Sexual Assault Healthcare Program and for survivors when dispatched to MSU Neighborhoods.

All volunteers receive training to help them provide compassionate, trauma-informed, and confidential support. Training prepares volunteers to respond with care, listen without judgment, and connect survivors and community members with helpful resources.

Training topics include:

• Trauma-informed and survivor-centered response
• Active listening, communication, and crisis support skills
• Confidentiality, boundaries, and ethical practices
• Resource navigation and referral support
• Cultural humility and inclusive, respectful care

 The 40-hour Survivor Advocacy and Crisis Intervention (SACI) Core Training includes self-study modules and required in-person sessions. All in-person sessions are mandatory to complete training. Virtual attendance will not be offered as an alternative.

Volunteer roles are open to people with a range of backgrounds and experiences. We especially welcome individuals who are:

• Committed to supporting survivors with empathy and respect
• Dependable and willing to complete required training
• Interested in advocacy, social work, healthcare, education, law, public health, or community service
• Dedicated to creating safer and more supportive communities

If you are interested in a crisis support role, the Survivor Advocacy and Crisis Intervention (SACI) program provides the required training and screening process. SACI welcomes MSU students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members who want to support survivors through trained advocacy and crisis intervention.

1. Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Logan Forrester, at forres71@msu.edu
2. Complete the volunteer application and participate in an interview.
3. Complete required screening checks, including ICHAT, federal and Michigan sex offender registry searches, MDHHS clearance, and an MSU conduct check, if applicable.
4. Participate in all required training and ongoing supervision.  

Crisis Advocates provide timely, in-person support for survivors accessing the Sexual Assault Healthcare Program and for RVSM survivors when dispatched to MSU Neighborhoods. Because this role involves on-call crisis response, volunteers complete additional 5 hours of training and commit to consistent shift coverage, prompt response, and ongoing team participation.

• Complete all SACI volunteer requirements, including the application, interview, required screening checks, SACI Core Training, and additional Crisis Advocacy training.
• Commit to one year of Crisis Advocate service and sign up for approximately 2–4 Crisis Advocacy shifts per month.
• During on-call shifts, be able to respond to the Sexual Assault Healthcare Program or MSU Neighborhoods within 30 minutes of dispatch.
• Remain on site for the duration of the survivor support intervention.
• Attend required monthly Crisis Advocacy team meetings.

Interested in volunteering? Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Logan Forrester, at forres71@msu.edu for more information. 

• Review the Volunteer Training section for current opportunities, training dates, and eligibility details.

Please check back in August for fall training information.