Website: https://dvipiowa.org/
Mission: The Mission of the Domestic Violence Intervention Program is to provide comprehensive support and advocacy services to victim/survivors, focusing on immediate and long-term safety, empowerment, dignity, and hope. In collaboration with the community, we strive to end domestic abuse through education, accountability, and social justice. DVIP provides services to victim/survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking and human trafficking. In today’s society, intimate partner violence is widely known to be one of the greatest physical dangers to women. Women, men and children are murdered each year and the risk of child abuse is much greater in households where domestic violence occurs. Responding to intimate partner violence is critical and requires a community-wide effort. Support for victims of intimate partner violence and their loved ones is available in Johnson, Iowa, Cedar, Des Moines, Henry, Lee, Van Buren and Washington Counties through the Domestic Violence Intervention Program.
Location: our main offices are in Iowa City, but we have volunteer opportunities across our service area which includes Lee, Henry, Van Buren, Washington, Des Moines, Iowa, Cedar, and Johnson counties. (67.6 miles from Grinnell College)
Needs: We are always grateful to connect with new volunteers and volunteer groups. Please have any interested students reach out by email. We encourage you to visit our website dvipiowa.org to learn more about our services to support victim survivors in Southeastern Iowa. The Volunteer Application is on our website as well as a list of our Top Needed Donations. Volunteering (Direct Service, Indirect Service, Events), Internships, Group Volunteer Projects, Donation Drives, Fundraising.
DVIP is frequently looking for volunteers to assist in regular service areas such as our emergency shelter and with our youth program. We also need volunteers to help support our events. We have internship opportunities with our Shelter Services, Outreach, and Community Engagement departments. Virtual work is possible for research projects and maintaining the apartment list but still needs in-person training to get started. Volunteers are critical to the success of our programs and to our services to support victim-survivors.
Volunteers:
- One-time events: Yes
- Ongoing: Yes
- Groups possible? Groups are welcome, a sample need is cleaning up at the emergency shelter: please contact Allison Tippe at allisont@dvipiowa.org
When is service needed: Year-round. Primary Special Events: Shop for Shelter (October), Holiday Store (December), Souper Bowl (February), and we always need event volunteers in the summer for attending community events on behalf of DVIP.
Number of hours: Our expectation for ongoing volunteers is that they set a schedule with us. Minimum hours are usually between 2-3/week but I also have some volunteers that come every other week for 8 hours. It really depends on the volunteer’s schedule. What matters on our end is having a schedule in place so we can notify our staff and/or the volunteer when potential safety issues arise.
Modality:
- In-person: yes
- Hybrid in-person/virtual possible: yes
- Fully virtual possible: yes
Background check required: Yes
Equipment/logistics needed: Background Checks and Reference Checks. Own transportation is needed: DVIP does not provide transportation for volunteers unless the event location requires extensive travel.
Training supplied: Orientation, Shadowing Advocates (if applicable), and Volunteer Training are supplied
Equipment or logistics supplied: For group volunteering such as cleaning up at our emergency shelter we provide the necessary equipment.
How to apply: Start out by filling out the volunteer application that is available on the DVIP website: https://dvipiowa.org/get-involved/ For students, note that you are a Grinnell College student and if desired, indicate areas of interest. Contact Allison Tippe at allisont@dvpiowa.org.
Contact: Allison “Ally” Tippe (Volunteer Coordinator, also the contact for Internship Opportunities), 319-359-9353 (direct line to Ally Tippe), allisont@dvipiowa.org
Operation information:
- Support Service Volunteers work primarily with Shelter Coordinators, but may also work on projects with other DVIP staff
- Administrative Volunteers work primarily with DVIP Community Engagement on office-related projects
- Event Volunteers provide volunteer support for DVIP public events including the Souper Bowl and Shop for Shelter
- Direct Service Volunteers go through intensive additional volunteer training and sign a 2-year commitment contract to be able to assist advocates and provide support for Shelter and Outreach departments (assisting with transporting clients and doing intakes, working in the shelter, supervising children).
Many volunteers provide support by donating their special skills in our office or helping maintain our shelter. By providing technical assistance, office support, or home repair skills, volunteers provide an invaluable resource and help DVIP minimize overhead expenses. DVIP offers internships every semester, creating opportunities for students to develop skills in the nonprofit sector and participate in career exploration and network development.
Address: 1105 S. Gilbert Court Suite 300, Iowa City, Iowa 52240, our main offices are in Iowa City, but we have volunteer opportunities across our service area which includes Lee, Henry, Van Buren, Washington, Des Moines, Iowa, Cedar, and Johnson counties.
If you are with this organization and need to update your listing, please access our update form on this page: For Community Partners