The DNLCC relies on volunteers to help us achieve our goal of reducing the incidence of child abuse and its impact on our community.  Whether it is helping with special events, landscaping, light construction, or working as a child advocate in our front lobby, there are several ways for our volunteers to contribute to the center and our cause.

Child Advocates: These volunteers spend time with the children while their parents are meeting with a therapist. The Child Advocate plays with the children and ensures their safety while in our waiting area. Child advocate volunteers are required to attend a training session held by members of the DNLCC staff that familiarizes them with confidentiality issues and helps to prepare them for any situations that may arise while volunteering at the center.  Anyone volunteering as a child advocate must sign a confidentiality statement as well as give authorization for a background check.  There is a $10 non-refundable fee that must be paid in advance to cover the cost of a South Carolina background check. 

Workday Projects: The DNLCC holds weekend workday projects to provide needed repairs and renovations to the center.  These volunteers do not need to attend the volunteer orientation session, although it is encouraged.  No background checks or confidentiality statements are required either.  Workday projects are scheduled with groups from the community on an individual basis.

Other Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteers who do not want to work with the children may also assist the DNLCC staff with clerical duties or other tasks, including helping with fundraisers. In addition, we are happy to develop a specific volunteer opportunity designed for your interests. If the opportunity does not involve working with the children, these volunteers do not need a background check but do need to sign confidentiality statements.

Educational Program: The DNLCC also offers an educational program for students or anyone interested in learning more about what the center does.  This program is designed to provide members of the community with a more detailed explanation of the day-to-day operations of the DNLCC.  Those who sign up for the program must begin with a training session held for all volunteers.  After completing the orientation session, volunteers of the educational program will observe and participate in a number of other functions here at the DNLCC.  They will be allowed to observe assessments from one of the observation rooms, attend a case management staffing, and spend time with the children in the waiting area.  The typical program will be ten hours in length but can be tailored to suit the specific needs of academic groups if necessary. Volunteers of the educational program will not be required to have background checks, however, they must sign a confidentiality agreement and can never be left unsupervised with children.