"Everybody can be
great. Because anybody can serve...
You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love."
~Reverend, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
 Since
its inception in 1973, volunteers have been and always will
be the heart and soul of Whitman-Walker Clinic. Our volunteers
seek to make deep meaningful connections and are committed
for the long-haul; due to the nature of our work, we rely
on volunteers who seek to make real long-term connections
with clients (creating trust and stability) or who can commit
to ongoing program/administrative support.
Most positions are located at WWC’s Downtown Campus
(NW), though opportunities exist at our regional offices—Northern
Virginia (Arlington) and the Max Robinson Center (Anacostia).
Other opportunities may be done from your home, in clients’
homes or at other locations in the community.
To become a Whitman-Walker Clinic volunteer, interested individuals
must:
- Attend a VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION (VO). These
sessions occur once a month. At VO, the Volunteer Resources
(VR) staff provides prospective volunteers with an overview
of WWC (it's history, programs/services) and volunteer policies.
Plus, prospective volunteers will hear from staff members
who supervise volunteers, learn about our current opportunities,
fill out our volunteer application and be able to ask questions.
Please consult our online Calendar
for the next VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION date or contact Volunteer
Resources at 202-797-4421 or e-mail volunteer
 wwc.org.
- Interview with a WWC Volunteer Supervisor.
Potential volunteers will be directly contacted by the responsible
WWC staff member within three weeks after the VOLUNTEER
ORIENTATION. If both parties feel it’s a good
match, the volunteer will be assigned to the position. If
not, an interview will be set up with another department.
Our goal is to find the best match between a volunteer’s
interests, talents and availability with a program’s
needs; and
- Attend a Mandatory One-Day Basic Training.
This full-day training is mandatory for ALL new staff, interns
and volunteers. The curriculum helps to build core competencies
and specific skills to help service providers better serve
our clients. It is designed to get new service providers
(staff and volunteers) familiar with WWC’s mission,
services and programs, learn more about HIV/AIDS, LGBT health
issues and other relevant topics through mandatory and elective
workshops, and facilitate getting acquainted with other
WWC staff and volunteers. ALL volunteers must attend BASIC
TRAINING within the first six months of the volunteer
service.
QUALIFICATIONS: Many positions require external specialized
training or professional licensure/certification. To be placed
in these positions, individuals must have previously completed
all necessary background work and provide WWC with appropriate
documentation.
TRAINING: All internal program-specific training is free
(i.e., VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION,
BASIC TRAINING and on-the-job
training); external specialized training or professional certifications
are at the volunteer’s expense. Additionally, some positions
may require regular attendance at support/supervisory meetings.
Volunteer Resources has secured a 37 percent discount on training
workshops offered through the Washington
Council of Agencies (WCA) for WWC volunteers. WCA’s
courses focus on non-profit management enabling professional
development for non-profit and for-profit professionals. Interested
volunteers should contact Volunteer Resources at 202-797-4421
or e-mail volunteerwwc.org
for details on how to take advantage of this great offer.
LARGE GROUPS/ONE-TIME VOLUNTEERS: We do not have the capacity
to take in large groups or one-time volunteers who seek to
have client interaction. It would likely overwhelm our clients,
potentially breach confidentiality/security, etc. We are,
however, always thrilled to find people with attention to
detail who can help out in our offices during the day, on
a regular or infrequent basis. Any large group (company, church,
etc.) interested in volunteering with us should inquire with
AIDS Walk.
AIDS Walk relies on the help of large groups for a range of
tasks (administrative, outreach, special event day positions,
etc.). Please contact them directly through the web site or
WWC’s Development department at 202-797-3520.
CLINICAL INTERNSHIPS/PRACTICUMS: Given specialized supervision
and reporting requirements, individuals seeking clinical internships
or practicums should contact the appropriate department directly.
Volunteer Resources does not process clinical internships
and practicums.
"The only ones among you who will be really happy
are those who have sought and found how to serve."
~Albert Schweitzer
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