Lewis House Shelter Childcare Opportunity

About 360 Communities Lewis House

360 Communities Lewis House provides emergency housing and assistance to individuals and families escaping domestic or sexual violence. Trained advocates offer emotional support, safety planning, referrals to community resources, and help navigating the court system.

Children are exposed to or experience domestic violence in many ways. They may hear one parent/caregiver threaten the other, observe a parent who is out of control or reckless with anger, see one parent assault the other, or live with the aftermath of a violent assault. Threats to the safety of a caregiver impact children, regardless of whether it results in physical injury or not.

At Lewis House, we have staff who specialize in working with children and their caregivers who have experienced violence. Advocates lead children’s support groups. They educate parents and caregivers about the effects of violence and trauma on children, assist parents with educational goals for their children, provide tips and tools for parents to continue to support their children’s emotional needs, and coordinate family fun activities.

The Volunteer Opportunity

We are seeking volunteers who can help care for and entertain the children at shelter while their parent(s) attend support groups or meetings with their advocates. This role would include entertaining and monitoring children for about 2.5 hours on Tuesday or Thursday evenings (from 6pm to 8:30pm). Each child's parent would remain in the building and volunteers would not be responsible for diaper changes. Volunteers will have access to various supplies to host small group activities for the children to do.