The Natural Helpers Volunteers Project was started by the Safety Center to develop bilingual outreach volunteers who help link people experiencing dating or domestic violence to services. The volunteers are trained to recognize the dynamics and warning signs of domestic violence. They understand the barriers to obtaining services in the API communities and they seek out assistance for families and individuals in need.

These volunteers are "natural helpers" in their community. They may be hair stylists, cafe owners, day care providers, bartenders, teachers, they are ones other people talk to, the ones who are always helping. Most of current Natural Helpers carry a phone 24/7 and bring new Natural Helpers to us. Most of current recruitment is done by current Natural Helpers.

The Natural Helpers Volunteers Project is especially valuable because it also works as a leadership development program that nurtures natural community leaders to address domestic violence in their communities and to work for social change over the long-term in their community.

Our training for Natural Helpers includes:

• 30-40 hours on Domestic Violence for advocacy work.
• Grant writing training provided by multi-ethnic practitioners (masters in social work) through NAC once or twice a year.
• Develop them to become language advocates for 24 hour multi-lingual access services.