Join and complete the 40 hour Domestic Violence Counselor training that meets the state mandate for Domestic Violence Counselor Privilege, and commit to dedicating 60 hours of your time to volunteer with SFAWS*, and receive a CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT (for the100 hours of training+volunteering). After the training, if you carve out 2.5 hours per week, you will complete this volunteer commitment within 6 months and support SFAWS programs and communities in meaningful ways.
Volunteer activities can include but are not limited to supporting adult and child survivors in shelter, searching for housing, helping clients move into new apartments, providing accompaniment to appointments, helping survivors build new skills, contributing to community-based healing, and doing community outreach and/or fundraising support for the organization.
TRAINING OVERVIEW
The training prepares graduates to work with survivors of domestic violence in ways that reflect Asian Women's Shelter's core values and approaches, and that are legally privileged in the state of California. Trainees engage in diverse and interconnected topics and skills-building sessions led by speakers and facilitators who collectively have over 200 years of experience in the field. Each cohort is limited to 25 trainees.
The training takes place across eight Saturday sessions, five online and three in-person. Staff will provide support for trainees if participants face hardware and/or WIFI barriers or issues. Training days will include large group time, small group time, role plays, case scenarios, presentations, and more. Participants will also have individual meetings with trainers and individual study time.
Attendance, focus and participation at all sessions is expected. If you miss two sessions or more, you will not be eligible to graduate and volunteer at SFAWS.
DATES AND TIMES
The Fall 2026 training will take place over eight consecutive Saturdays from 9:00AM to 3:30PM, starting on August 15th and ending on October 3rd.
(Check your dates! August 15, 22 and 29, September 5, 12, 19 and 26, and October 3).
Training days will include a 30-minute lunch break and several other shorter breaks. There will be self-study materials for trainees to complete before the end of the training. Any changes to training times or agendas will be announced a couple of weeks ahead of time.
ADDITIONAL TRAINING FOR INTERPRETERS
For those interested in becoming paid on-call language advocates (who provide interpretation and bilingual advocacy services), two additional days of training will take place October 10 and 11.
ELIGIBILITY
Eligibility to join the training requires completing three steps. You're already in the first step, which is to read and complete this on-line application. Second, schedule and complete an interview. Third, complete and pass a fingerprint-based background check. Why is this required? Because all of our volunteers may interact with people under 18, California grant regulations (that are old, not recent, and spearheaded by advocates for children's safety) require that everyone who will volunteer with us first needs to pass a fingerprint-based criminal background check. This may cause increased anxiety and distress for many in our communities. Please feel welcome to discuss any questions or concerns you have during your interview.
FEES
If you wish to join our 40 Hour Domestic Violence Counselor Training and complete the volunteer commitment of 60 hours, the training program is free of charge for you! We welcome you to make a donation of $20 - $50 to support our administrative costs during the training. Those donations can be made online or via check at any time during or after the training.
If you wish to join our 40 Hour Domestic Violence Counselor training for your own professional development and do not wish to fulfill the 60 hour volunteer obligation, the training fee per person is $350.
WHAT DO I DO NEXT?
If you're interested and available on the training dates, we welcome you to take the following steps!
1. Fill out the short application below and submit it.
2. SFAWS staff will follow up with you to schedule an interview.
3. If you are accepted based on your application and interview, you will need to pass a fingerprint-based background check before you start the training. SFAWS will provide you with necessary directions on how to complete this process. SFAWS will also cover the cost of the report.
Thank you!
