These are some examples of volunteer roles available at CVT. Please visit the main Volunteer page for more information.
Graphic and Web Design
The New Tactics in Human Rights Project with the Center for Victims of Torture needs a volunteer graphic designer to lay out in-depth case studies called "tactical notebooks." An InDesign CS2 template is available. The estimated time commitment is 8-12 hours per notebook. Work can be done on-site at CVT or at the volunteer's home or office. An example of a notebook is here.
CVT also needs a Web designer who can help with designing wrappers and other Web needs.
MN Asylum Network
A joint project of MN Advocates for Human Rights, CVT, and Physicians for Human Rights
Forensic Evaluator for Refugees Seeking Asylum
A person seeking asylum in the United States must present evidence to a hearing officer or an administrative judge that alleged torture has already taken place, so that he or she has a well-founded fear of persecution, should the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) require the person to return to the country of origin.
As a licensed physician, psychiatrist or psychologist in Minnesota, you can examine these individuals and provide neutral, medical expertise, working with the pro bono attorney handling the case. Your findings will be documented and used at INS hearings. Individuals applying for asylum experienced great hardship in their country and risk torture if they are forced to return. The psychological/psychiatric evaluation assists torture survivors as they make their case for asylum in the United States so they can rebuild their lives. By joining the MN Asylum Network, you will receive training in the basics of performing assessments, and documenting findings, and writing affidavits. You will also receive notices of educational updates on health and human rights and access to case consultation from CVT clinicians. You will examine individuals either at your office or at nearby detention centers. For more information, contact Ally Beckman at abeckman@cvt.org.
(Time commitment: one case will take from two hours or more, depending on location of assessment, complexity of the case, and facility in documentation. Detention Center work can be done outside of normal work hours.)
Client Services
Befriender
A befriender enters into a long-term relationship (usually a minimum of six months) with a client. Activities depend upon the needs of the client, the interests of the two people, and the time available, but “presence” is the keystone of this role. The client and volunteer spend time together, listen and talk. The volunteer may accompany the client to social service agencies, the INS, food shelves, health care appointments, a housing office, a job interview, etc. In all of these situations, the befriender may become an advocate (see description below) for the client. The client and volunteer may enjoy social activities together: walks, museums, conservatories, concerts, etc., with an emphasis on free or low-cost activities.
(Time commitment: approximately 2 hours per week, depending on the needs and schedules of client and volunteer; may not meet every week)
Advocate
An advocate acts on behalf of a client. As indicated in the descriptions of the community guide, driver, and bus guide roles, the advocacy role frequently occurs in combination with another volunteer role. Advocacy is extremely challenging and the advocate acts with great care and sensitivity. It is important to be engaged in the situation and alert to the need to intervene. At the same time, it is important to resist the impulse to take over when the client may need just a little support. The client advocate is often called upon to model good negotiating skills in complicated situations.
(Time commitment: depends on the nature of the advocacy)
ESL Tutors
Volunteers who tutor clients in English as a Second Language have completed an approved ESL tutoring program, and use the methods learned to teach English to clients. Tutors generally work with individual clients or small groups of clients.
(Time commitment: approximately 2 hours per week, depending on the needs and schedules of client and volunteer; may not meet every week)
Donations and moving volunteers
We are looking for volunteers with vans or trucks who would be available occasionally to transport donated furniture to a client’s home, or to assist clients who are moving.
(Time commitment: 2-8 hours per move; infrequent!)
Client Transportation
Drivers for clients
We have an ongoing need for volunteers who are willing to drive clients to appointments (usually at CVT) during weekday and early evening hours. For various reasons – including unfamiliarity with the Twin Cities and the bus system, distance from CVT, or language issues – it is often difficult or impossible for clients to get to important clinical appointments. Volunteer drivers are crucial to client care, and also demonstrate to clients that our community cares about their healing process. As you might guess, a driver often becomes an advocate (see description above). Some clients have just an occasional need for transportation, and others have regular weekly appointments, and we try to provide for consistency when assigning drivers.
(Time commitment: 4 hours a month or more)
Bus guides
Community guides may assist the clients they work with to learn the bus system, but the need is great and additional volunteer help is necessary. This is an extremely important role. First, the client learns to get to specific destinations, but just as important is the fact that the client develops a competency that provides for greater independence. Also, many clients benefit from incorporating more exercise into their lives, and the walk to and from the bus stop contributes to this goal. Finally, even a long bus ride may be a positive element in the life of a client who has little to do and finds the days long. It is important to realize the significance of the bus guide role because it can be challenging. Often the volunteer is as new to the bus system as the client, and must devote considerable time to making calls to the MTC, checking their web site, and studying routes. There is also a great deal of time invested in each trip with the client, as well as just getting to and from the client’s home to make the trip. The greatest challenge, however, may be in being as positive about the experience as one hopes the client will be in the future, even on days when the weather is bad and the waiting time is long. Like the driver, the bus guide often becomes an advocate (see description above) at the client’s destination.
(Time commitment: 6-18 hours per client)
Organizational Support Volunteer Roles
Office assistance
Various programs at CVT need office assistance including data entry, filing, telephoning, mailings, conference material preparation, etc.
(Time commitment: a few hours once a year, or once a month, or once a week!)
Speakers Bureau
Volunteer speakers talk to various community groups about CVT’s work and set up information tables at human rights-related events. Volunteer speakers educate the public about the problem of torture, our community’s responsibility to welcome, protect and heal torture survivors, and generate support for CVT’s work.
(Time commitment: a few hours once a year, or once a month, or more)
Gardeners
CVT has a lovely Garden of Healing, which serves as a peaceful spot for clients, visitors, and staff to rest and reflect. The garden also symbolizes our mission: hope, healing and renewal. Volunteers maintain this garden from spring through the fall – cleaning it up in the spring, mulching, watering, weeding, deadheading, planting and putting the garden to bed come fall.
(Time commitment: 2 or more hours per month, April through September)
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