No matter if you volunteer four to ten hours a week or occasionally, we appreciate you being on our team!
The easiest way for ANYONE to help Call to Freedom is to become an advocate. Help others gain awareness about human trafficking and what it looks like in our community by inviting them to a CTF informational luncheon or other event.
Call to Freedom utilizes volunteers in various positions depending on the volunteer’s experience and time available. We request a year commitment to help ensure the continuity of our program. Volunteer applicants may be placed in a position quickly because of current openings and skill sets needed, while others may be placed on a waiting list for the position they are seeking. For positions working directly with clients, additional training is required with Call to Freedom staff before working with clients.
For more information email: [email protected]
or call 605-370-8362
Volunteer FAQs
Q: What is the time commitment?
A: Time commitment varies by volunteer project. Some opportunities are monthly, while others are on an as-needed basis. We ask for a one-year commitment to ensure the continuity of the program, but we are flexible and understand volunteers have unique travel patterns and schedules. We are happy to work with your schedule to find a volunteer project that is right for you.
Q: How do I become a volunteer with call to freedom?
A: The first step to becoming a volunteer with Call to Freedom is to fill out a volunteer application. The application is found on our website: calltofreedom.org/volunteer.
Q: What does the application process look like?
A: After submitting an application, staff will contact a potential volunteer to schedule an interview to discuss more about volunteering and answer any questions. Further documentation including completion of a background check, reference check, and document submission are required as well prior to becoming a volunteer.
Q: Will I be working directly with survivors?
A: All of our volunteer opportunities positively impact survivors in one way or another. Some volunteer opportunities include contact with survivors, but a majority do not.
Q: Can I volunteer with a group?
A: Each volunteer serving with Call to Freedom must go through our application and vetting process. That being said, there are opportunities such as creating freedom bags, for example, where groups are welcome to participate without going through the volunteer application process. Please reach out to discuss options if you are interested in volunteering as a group.
Q: Is it safe to volunteer with Call to Freedom?
A: Safety of staff, clients, and volunteers is a top priority at Call to Freedom. We have measures in place, including our volunteer vetting and placement process, locked office buildings, and discrete locations, to ensure the safety of everyone involved in the organization.
Q: Is there an age requirement?
A: Volunteers with Call to Freedom must be 18 years or older.
Ways to Volunteer
GROCERY SHOPPER
Donate and shop for $25 worth of groceries once a month for low income clients to supplement food stamp assistance. Shopping list provided. You and a friend may like to do this as a team effort.
Learn More
Q: Where and when can I drop the groceries off?
A: Groceries can be dropped at our 12th street office (1800 W 12th St Unit 100, Sioux Falls, SD 57104) from 9am – 5pm Monday – Friday. Find the Call to Freedom entrance on the West side of the US Bank building.
Q: Can I donate bulk items
A: Yes, bulk items can be split apart and utilized by different clients if needed.
Q: Who has access to these groceries
A: Survivors working with case managers out of our 12th street office have access to these groceries.
Q: Can I donate perishable (refridgerated or frozen) items?
A: Yes, we have a refrigerator and a deep freezer to store perishables.
Q: How much should I donate?
A: We suggest about $25 worth of groceries donated each month. Regardless of the quantity, we appreciate your donation!
Q: How often do I need to donate?
A: We suggest a monthly donation, but if you are unable to donate for a month or two for any reason, we understand. If you are unable to donate consistently and would like to be taken off our list, please reach out and let us know.
Q: Why do I have to fill out the in-kind donation Form and give an estimate on the value of the donation each time?
A: Through collecting information on in-kind donations, we demonstrate to our funders that we have community support for our work, and that we track the full cost of what it takes to run our programs. The federal and state governments require us to keep thorough documentation of the types of in-kind support we receive and how we determined their value. By completing an in-kind donation form, you are helping ensure Call to Freedom meets its funding requirements.
HOSPITALITY
Sort through clothing donations and organize. Clean apartments for client arrivals, stock supplies, etc.
Learn More
Q: What is the time commitment?
A: There is no set schedule for our hospitality volunteers. Volunteers are contacted via email on an as needed basis when a project arises. Projects almost always take place during business hours (9 am - 5 pm Monday - Friday).
Q: Do I need any special skills?
A: Hospitality volunteers should be in good health and able to complete moderate lifting tasks. Volunteers should also be comfortable working independently with minimal supervision. No other special skills are required, but if you do have an area of expertise, please let us know so we can connect with you if a specific need arises.
Q: What does a Hospitality Volunteer do?
A: A hospitality volunteer assists with tasks such as cleaning, organization, and household tasks for staff and clients.
Q: Can I do this with a group?
A: Each individual on our hospitality team must go through the volunteer application process and be approved before helping with this volunteer project.
Q: Where is this located?
A: Hospitality volunteers may be asked to volunteer at our 8th street office, 12th street office, Marissa’s House, or at a remote location. This project location is dependent on the specific needs of the staff or client.
FROZEN MEAL PREP
Once a month get a group of friends together to donate and prepare frozen meals for clients and their family.
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Q: Where and when can I drop the meals off?
A: Meals can be dropped at our 12th street office (1800 W 12th St Unit 100, Sioux Falls, SD 57104) from 9am – 5pm Monday – Friday. Find the Call to Freedom entrance on the West side of the US Bank building.
Q: What serving size should I make?
A: Any and all serving sizes are appreciated.
Q: Who has access to these meals?
A: Survivors working with case managers out of our 12th street office have access to these meals. Some meals are also taken over to our safe housing apartments – Marissa’s House.
Q: Can I do this with a group?
A: Preparing frozen meals for donation is a great group activity! It can also be done solo. Regardless of how many volunteers prepare the meal, please track each person’s contribution of time when reporting volunteer hours.
Q: What are some meal ideas?
A: Anything you love to make is a great option to share with survivors. You can’t go wrong with lasagna or a hot dish!
Q: How often do I need to donate?
A: We suggest a monthly donation, but if you are unable to donate for a month or two for any reason, we understand. If you are unable to donate consistently and would like to be taken off our list, please reach out and let us know.
Q: Why do I have to fill out the in-kind donation Form and give an estimate on the value of the donation each time?
A: Through collecting information on in-kind donations, we demonstrate to our funders that we have community support for our work, and that we track the full cost of what it takes to run our programs. The federal and state governments require us to keep thorough documentation of the types of in-kind support we receive and how we determined their value. By completing an in-kind donation form, you are helping ensure Call to Freedom meets its funding requirements.
HANDY PERSON
Utilize your skills with tools to occasionally assist with hanging photos, minor repairs, etc.
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Q: What is the time commitment?
A: There is no set schedule for our moving team or handy volunteers. Volunteers are contacted via email on an as needed basis when a project arises.
Q: Do I need any special skills?
A: Volunteers on the moving team should be able to complete heavy lifting tasks. Volunteers on our handy person team should be in good health and able to complete moderate lifting tasks. No other special skills are required. Although, if you do have an area of expertise, please let us know so we can connect with you if a specific need arises.
Q: What does a handy person do?
A: A handy person volunteer assists with tasks such as yardwork, maintenance work, and household tasks for staff and clients.
Q: What does the moving team do?
A: The moving team helps move larger household items including beds, cribs, and heavy furniture.
Q: Can I do this with a group?
A: Each individual on our moving and handy person team must go through the volunteer application process and be approved before helping with this volunteer project.
Q: Where is this located?
A: Movers and handy people may be asked to volunteer at our 8th street office, 12th street office, Marissa’s House, or at a remote location. This project location is dependent on the specific needs of the staff or client.
CLIENT MENTOR
Experience in working with clients who have been traumatized or a degree in social work, psychology, nursing is preferred. Times will vary depending on client and volunteer availability.
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Q: What kind of time commitment is needed?
A: This varies by mentee. Some mentees want to meet monthly or weekly. Others prefer to just text, but never meet in person. We ask for at least a 1-year commitment once you are placed with a mentee.
Q: What does a mentor do?
A: A mentor is a companion. Activities vary by mentee. The mentor/mentee can do a variety of activities together including (but not limited to) going for walks, coffee, meeting at church, doing a bible study. It can vary based on the interests of the mentee.
Q: What kind of training is involved?
A: The training is ~1.5 HR trauma training with the Spirituality and Mentor Coordinator. Once a mentor is paired with a mentee, they can always reach out to the Case manager or Mentor Coordinator if they have any questions or concerns.
Q: Will we be meeting one-on-one?
A: Yes, the mentees are 18 and older and the interactions are one on one. We are exploring what mentoring youth would look like and are still developing that program.
MOVING TEAM
Occasionally assist to move light boxes, lamps, etc or heavy items, ie. furniture, books, etc. A pickup truck is helpful but not necessary. Weekday afternoons especially needed.
Learn More
Q: What is the time commitment?
A: There is no set schedule for our moving team or handy volunteers. Volunteers are contacted via email on an as needed basis when a project arises.
Q: Do I need any special skills?
A: Volunteers on the moving team should be able to complete heavy lifting tasks. Volunteers on our handy person team should be in good health and able to complete moderate lifting tasks. No other special skills are required. Although, if you do have an area of expertise, please let us know so we can connect with you if a specific need arises.
Q: What does a handy person do?
A: A handy person volunteer assists with tasks such as yardwork, maintenance work, and household tasks for staff and clients.
Q: What does the moving team do?
A: The moving team helps move larger household items including beds, cribs, and heavy furniture.
Q: Can I do this with a group?
A: Each individual on our moving and handy person team must go through the volunteer application process and be approved before helping with this volunteer project.
Q: Where is this located?
A: Movers and handy people may be asked to volunteer at our 8th street office, 12th street office, Marissa’s House, or at a remote location. This project location is dependent on the specific needs of the staff or client.
ADMIN WORK
Duties may include correspondence, data entry, research, etc. Experience with Excel, Word and Windows 10 needed.
Learn More
Q: What is the time commitment?
A: There is no set schedule for our admin volunteers. Volunteers are contacted via email on an as needed basis when a project arises. Projects almost always take place during business hours (9 am - 5 pm Monday - Friday).
Q: Do I need any special skills?
A: Admin volunteers will be asked only to complete light office duty tasks. Volunteers should be comfortable working independently with minimal supervision. No other special skills are required, but if you do have an area of expertise, please let us know so we can connect with you if a specific need arises.
Q: What does an admin volunteer do?
A: An admin volunteer assists with light office tasks such as organization, outgoing mail, data entry, etc.
Q: Can I do this with a group?
A: Each individual on our admin team must go through the volunteer application process and be approved before helping with this volunteer project.
Q: Where is this located?
A: Admin volunteers will most often be serving out of our 8th street office location, but may also be requested at our 12th street office, Marissa’s House, or at a remote location.
AMBASSADOR TEAM
Assist in distributing information to raise awareness of Human Trafficking 3 or 4 times a year.
Learn More
Q: What is the role of an ambassador?
A: Ambassadors advocate for Call to Freedom by hanging posters and pull-tabs as well as communicating Call to Freedom’s values and mission to businesses / organizations.
Q: What do I do if I approach someone to hang materials and they say no?
A: It is good to be prepared to hear “no”. It is important to remain cordial in all your interactions, even when met with resistance. Accept the “no” and thank them for their time. It may be wise to start by asking folks you have some sort of connection with to have a good experience before approaching unfamiliar businesses.
Q: Do I have to dress professionally?
A: There is no set dress code for ambassadors, but we do ask that you dress respectfully. Dress in a way that communicates your seriousness about Call to Freedom and our mission.
Q: Where should I hang the pull tabs?
A: We recommend hanging the pull-tab posters in discrete locations, where an individual could feel comfortable taking a phone number without fear of embarrassment or repercussions. The inside of bathroom stalls is a great place to hang pull-tabs. To be equitable, please hang pull-tabs in areas where any gender could access them (i.e., both men’s and women’s restrooms).
Q: What do I need to bring?
A: You will need to bring along posters and/or pull-tabs, which we will provide for you in person or in the mail. You will also need to bring your own tape to hang the materials. Painter’s tape or electrical tape work well, as they do not leave a residue.
Q: How do I know if I should hang a Spanish or English pull-tab?
A: Use your best judgement. It would be appropriate to hang Spanish pull-tabs in areas where there are several Spanish speaking patrons.
Q: Do I need to ask before hanging pull-tabs?
A: Yes, please approach an employee at the business you are hoping to hang pull-tabs or posters to share your desire to hang posters and explain why you are hanging them.
Q: What do I do if someone asks a question I don’t know how to answer?
A: Please refer any individual with further questions to contact Call to Freedom staff. Eden Schanzenbach, Community Engagement Manager, is a great resource to connect folks who have further questions you feel uncomfortable or unequipped to answer.
Q: How often am I expected to volunteer as an ambassador?
A: We ask that you volunteer by hanging materials quarterly, or 4 times a year; however, this is very flexible! Hang materials as frequently as you are able, just be sure to track and report all the time you spend volunteering as an ambassador.
Q: What do I do if I need more materials to hang?
Contact Community Engagement Manager – Eden Schanzenbach – and she will mail you more materials or schedule a time for you to pick more up.
PRAYER TEAM
Join us on the second Wednesday of the month at 8:30 am or organize a group to pray for clients and staff in your home, your church, etc.
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Q: Where and when do we meet for prayer?
A: The Prayer Team meets the second Wednesday of the month at 8:30 am. The team meets physically at Call to Freedom’s 8th street office located in the Empower Campus (1915 E 8th street, suite 100). We also meet on Microsoft-teams.
Q: Do I have to pray out loud?
A: Prayer team participants are encouraged to but not required to pray out loud. You can attend the prayer meeting as an active listener with prayers in your heart.
Q: Do I need to prepare my own prayer?
A: We will have a list of prayers for Call to Freedom ready to share with you. However, if you have a prayer of your own, you are more than welcome to share.
Q: What if I can’t make it this month?
A: You are invited to join us each month for prayer but are not expected or required the be in attendance every month. A list of prayer requests will be sent out to all prayer team members monthly, regardless of attendance.
INITIATE A GIFT CARD DRIVE
Gift cards to Hy-Vee, Walmart and Lewis assist with groceries, personal items and prescriptions. Gas cards and VISA/Mastercard are also helpful.
