Volunteer Information

  • Get Involved! Volunteer with Our Center

    Caring and compassionate people looking to make a difference in our community and in the lives of those hurt by sexual violence can volunteer with the Alachua County Victim Services & Rape Crisis Center.  Our program has two volunteer tracks to pursue - serve as a Helpline Counselor, answering our 24/7 rape crisis helpline, or a Community Ambassador, promoting awareness at community events.​​

  • Helpline Counselor

    ​Volunteer Helpline Counselors answer our program's 24/7 helpline, covering evening, weekend, and holiday shifts when our offices are closed.  Volunteers carry a County-issued cell phone and respond to victimes and citizens in our community seeking crisis counseling and resources. Callers range from victims in crisis to friends and family members seeking information on how to support their loved one.

    Potential helpline volunteers must successfully complete 40 hours of online and in-person training, comprised of roleplays, readings, and quizzes, under the supervision of program staff.  In-person training takes place at the program's offices at 218 SE 24th Street, Gainesville, FL.  Potential volunteers must complete a level 2 background check, which is paid for by the program, before beginning their service.

    Upon graduating training, volunteers must commit to a minimum of 36 helpline shifts over the course of 9 months.

    For more information on becoming a Helpline Counselor, contact Jessie Lazarchik at (352) 264-6767, jlazarchik@alachuacounty.us.

  • Community Ambassador

    ​Volunteer Community Ambassadors assist program outreach staff by representing our agency at local outreach events, explaining program services to community leaders, and generally promoting awareness about sexual violence and local resources.  Additionally, volunteers help organize and prepare for events and assist staff with performing general office duties as needed.

    Ambassadors must complete a short in-house training, which takes place at our program's offices located at 218 SE 24th Street, Gainesville, FL.  Potential volunteers must complete a level 2 background check, which is paid for by the program, before beginning their service.

    Upon completing their training, Community Ambassadors are expected to participate in 2 hours of outreach work each week.

    For more information on becoming a Community Ambassador, contact Cassandra Moore at (352) 264-6712, camoore@alachuacounty.us.

  • Volunteer Application

    ​If you are interested in volunteering as a Helpline Counselor or Community Ambassador, please complete the volunteer application below and return by email to Jessie Lazarchik at jlazarchik@alachuacounty.us, or by hard copy to Victim Services & Rape Crisis Center, 218 SE 24th Street, Gainesville, FL  32641.

    Links are temporarily disabled for the Volunteer Applications.  Please emal Jessie Lazarchik at jlazarchik@alachuacounty.us to request an application.

    Upon reviewing your application, program staff will contact you regarding volunteer training.  Typically, a short face to face interview is required.

    Please note that not all applicants, motivated as they may be, will make effective volunteers for our program.  Applicants are carefully screened before and during training.

    Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about the application process, or want to know more about our volunteer programs:

    • For Helpline Counselors, contact Jessie Lazarchik at (352) 264-6767, jlazarchik@alachuacounty.us

    • For Community Ambassadors, contact Cassie Moore at (352) 264-6712, camoore@alachuacounty.us

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If any accommodations are needed for persons with disabilities, please contact the Equal Opportunity Office at (352) 374-5275 or (352) 374-5284 TDD.

Contact​​​​​​​​​​

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  • Victim Services & Rape Crisis Center
  • Main Office @John Henry Thomas, M.D. Center
  • 218 SE 24th Street
  • Gainesville, FL 32641
  • Phone: 352-264-6760
  • Fax: 352-264-6774
  • TDD/TTY: 352-955-2449
  • Monday-Friday, 8:30AM-5PM, some services available 24/7.
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  • Laura Kalt
  • VSRCC Director
  • 218 SE 24th Street
  • Gainesville, FL 32641
  • Phone: 352-264-6760
  • Fax: 352-264-6774
  • TDD/TTY users, please call 711 (Florida Relay Service)
  • Toll-Free Phone: 1-866-252-5439
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  • 24 Hour Sexual Assault Helpline
  • Phone: 352-264-6760
  • TDD/TTY users, please call 711 (Florida Relay Service)
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  • Toll free 24 Hour Sexual Assault Helpline
  • Phone: 866-252-5439
  • TDD/TTY users, please call 711 (Florida Relay Service)
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  • Bradford County Outreach Office
  • 403 Georgia Street
  • Starke, FL 32091
  • TDD/TTY users, please call 711 (Florida Relay Service)
  • Hours vary, please call 24/7 helpline for more information.
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  • Union County Outreach Office
  • 410 W Main Street
  • Lake Butler, FL 32054
  • TDD/TTY users, please call 711 (Florida Relay Service)
  • Hours vary, please call 24/7 helpline for more information.

Mission Statement

  • To support survivors on their journey to reclaiming their personal power in the aftermath of a crime.
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