Volunteers
Buddy in Training Application (ages 18 – 20)
Dear potential volunteer,
CVTI is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded to make a genuine difference in the lives of young survivors of sexual abuse. Child abuse is an issue that makes people extremely uncomfortable, because it hurts to think of anyone hurting a child. But, child sexual abuse not only scars children and destroys families crippling future generations.
Adult retrospective studies show that 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men are sexually abused before 18. This means that there are 42,000,000 adult survivors in the U.S. alone.
Even if you have not been a victim, you are harmed by the role child sexual abuse plays in our society. The direct cost of mental health related services related to child sexual abuse is at least $20 billion annually as survivors are at a doubled risk for mental health conditions. Estimates suggest that over $2 billion associated with teen pregnancy costs are attributable to child sexual abuse. Victims are also at risk for over-sexualized behavior and increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases to the tune of over $1.5 billion annually.
At CVTI, we strive to improve these odds, healing one child at a time. Our goal is unique – to create a safe environment in the form of a 3-day camp where survivors can play and sing, know that they are neither alone nor responsible for what happened to them, and to develop self-affirming behavior with appropriate and effective social coping skills.
CVTI is an all-volunteer organization with no full-time staff. We need your time, talents and energy! Training is provided to all volunteers; you need not be afraid. Bring your heart and an open mind and you are ready.
You can make a wonderful difference in this world! Without our volunteers, there wouldn’t be special hope for the Lucky Little Buddies who come to us as survivors of child sexual abuse and who leave a little more empowered, with a bit more self-confidence, a newfound way of expressing their needs, and HEAPS more loved infused into them by osmosis!
Warmest regards,
Camp Victory Mama Lions
mamalions@campvictorytexas.org
Volunteer Opportunities Descriptions
In-Camp Volunteers
- Training will be held Friday, April 10th and is Mandatory for in-camp volunteers. If you miss the training date and are desperate to attend, please let us know. We may be able to have you join another CAC Training date.
- CAMP: THURSDAY ARRIVAL: April 30 (1:00 p.m. arrival) to May 3 (4:00p.m. approximate departure after 2pm girls’ pickup, closing circle and cleanup).
- Roles that volunteers fill at Camp are:
- Big Buddy – Big Buddies are paired 1:1 with Little Buddies at Camp to create that special experience for the Little Buddies.
- Floater – to provide breaks and/or extra support to Big Buddies
- Craft Lead and Craft Buddies
- Tea House Lead – maintain the tea house and calm space for the Big Buddies
- Medical Lead/Medical Assistant – The Medical lead at Camp preferably is one experienced with administering pysch drugs typically administered to child survivors of abuse.
- Tea House Administrator– handles all administrative duties related to contact of a parent/guardian, e.g. Illness, or any issue requiring non-medical record keeping.
- Ninjas – Handle bed checks and any laundry runs for lice and/or bed wetting, etc.
- Bus Buddies – Meet parents/guardians with Little Buddies at bus location(s), ride in bus singing songs, distributing snacks, helping Little Buddies get comfortable en route. Early flag any issues to camp leadership. Individually bag and tag Little Buddies personal items by cabin. Help Medical Lead/Assistant with medical intake (forms, putting medications in lock box)
- Camp Musician(s) – Lead songs on and impromptu basis or during group or transition time, whether or not accompanied by guitar.
Angel Coordinator/Angels
- Our Angel Coordinator liaises with the Board Members regarding tasks that need to be taken on by the Angels.
- Our Angels are volunteers who work behind the scenes to get us to Camp and home from Camp safely and successfully. They also handle tasks throughout the year to support Camp Victory Texas and its mission because Camp Victory is run completely by volunteers. Examples of Angel tasks include: Managing our inventory to prepare for camp, preparing lunch/snack bags for the Little Buddies for the bus ride to camp, preparing affirmation notes to the Little Buddies for the bus ride to camp, help with office hours on a regular or impromptu basis, or plain old soliciting funds or getting the word out to potential campers.
Volunteer Coordinator
- Organize volunteer round up gatherings to recruit and or put volunteers to work on current to-do items.
- Collect volunteer applications.
- Coordinate reference checks on potential volunteers.
- Coordinate with the President and Fundraising Chair to ensure that requisite number of volunteers are present at fund grantor events.
- Maintain list of tasks and ask for help from widest array of people to perform them.
- First point of contact for a volunteer with questions.
Ready to volunteer? Fill out and submit a Volunteer Application
Questions: email: mamalions@campvictorytexas.org