Ways To Join
Volunteer
WISE values community participation and engagement. We have several volunteer roles and opportunities at WISE. We hope that you will join us to end violence, share hope, and change lives.
Volunteer Crisis Line Advocates
Volunteer Advocates are an integral component of WISE’s 24 hour advocacy response. Advocates are fully trained on the dynamics of violence and are equipped with the skills to provide advocacy, support, and resources both over the phone and on-site at local emergency departments and police stations. Volunteers staff two shifts per month on our crisis line during nights, weekends, and holidays. The volunteer on-call schedule is flexible and volunteers are paired with an experienced backup and given a pager to be able to respond to calls safely from their homes. There are also opportunities for those who complete the training to volunteer at the WISE program center during the day. Volunteer advocates must participate in both the Foundations of Gender-Based Violence and Supporting Survivors Training. These trainings take place in the spring, summer, and fall – see the complete training schedule below. Send your completed volunteer application to volunteers@wiseuv.org.
WISE Ambassadors
WISE believes that together, we can end violence in the Upper Valley and WISE Ambassadors play a critical role building WISE’s presence in the community. Ambassadors may table at community events, distribute WISE materials, and volunteer in other ways in the community. Community members interested in becoming WISE Ambassadors must complete the Foundations of Gender-Based Violence training which takes place in March, June, and October – view the complete training schedule below. Send your completed volunteer application to volunteers@wiseuv.org.
Court Observer
Court Observers (COs) are community members who bear witness to court proceedings involving victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and/or stalking. Court Observers simply and powerfully sit on the victim’s side of the courtroom during hearings to show support and solidarity for individual victims and everyone impacted by violence. The presence of Court Observers also brings accountability to judges and those involved in the decisions that impact and change the lives of victims and their children. Send a completed application to sign up for our next Court Observer Training. Trainings take place in March, June, and October – see the complete training schedule below.
Interns
Dedicated interns take on projects connected to the work at WISE. Interns focus on either community outreach and development, crisis and advocacy, or another specific project that meets the intern’s educational requirements as well as an identified need of the organization. WISE interns are required to complete, at a minimum, the Foundations of Gender-Based Violence training. Interns are also encouraged to train and participate in the court observer program to complement their experience at WISE. For more information, contact volunteers@wiseuv.org.
Other Ways to Support WISE
Donation Drives
Help keep our emergency supply room stocked. We keep basic necessities such as gift cards, shampoo, lotion, toothpaste, soap, etc. in our Program Center for victims and families fleeing violence. Community members facilitate donation drives at their work places, schools, local pharmacies and grocery stores.
Benefit Events
Plan an event or party to benefit or raise awareness about WISE.
Attend an Event
WISE hosts and is the beneficiary of many community events. Check out our events section for more details about upcoming events.
Keep Connected
Share your email address, and we will send you our eNews. Email us your address, and we will send you our printed Highlights publication. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and keep connected in real time.
Make a Donation
Your financial support helps guarantee that victims and survivors have access to confidential and free support every hour of every day and supports our community prevention program.
You can support WISE by making a donation online or organizing donation drives for basic necessities for women fleeing violence
Volunteer Training Program
WISE provides training to community members to give them the framework and skills to help WISE end violence, share hope and change lives.
Foundations of Gender-Based Violence: This 15 hour training introduces participants to the cultural foundations of gender-based violence. We reflect on our history, current norms, and explore the realities of domestic violence, sexual violence and stalking. This training is recommended for all community members interested in understanding our work, becoming a Volunteer Advocate or Ambassador for WISE, or simply curious about how and why gender-based violence exists. This training is required for WISE Ambassadors, Crisis Line Advocates, and Program Center Interns.
Supporting Survivors: This 20 hour training is for those who previously completed the Foundations Training and are interested in supporting survivors as confidential advocates on the 24 hour crisis line. This training prepares future volunteer advocates to support survivors over the phone, at local police departments and hospitals, on nights, weekends and holidays.
If you are interested in participating in the Foundations of Gender-Based Violence training, please submit a completed application . Once your application is received we will set up a brief meeting to discuss your interests and participation. Applications can be emailed to volunteers@wiseuv.org or mailed to 38 Bank St. Lebanon, NH 03766 ATTN: Volunteering
Court Observers Training: This 2.5 hour training gives participants a brief understanding of the work of WISE and prepares court observers on what to expect in the courtroom. Court Observers are required to participate in this training.
If you are interested in participating in the Court Observers training, please submit a completed application. Applications can be emailed to volunteers@wiseuv.org or mailed to 30 Bank Street, Lebanon, NH 03766. Attn: Volunteering
WISE Events
Covered Bridges Half Marathon
Covered Bridges Half Marathon
The 29th Annual Covered Bridged Half Marathon has been postponed until June 6, 2021. Whereas we are disappointed that the race will not take place this year, it is it is the right decision given the current Covid-19 health crisis. While we have had to postpone this event, we continue to provide ongoing support for those impacted by domestic and sexual violence and stalking 24-hours a day through our crisis line. It is because of your support combined with our committed and dedicated advocates that we can be available for survivors every hour, every day.
Registration for our team is currently closed and will reopen in November. You can still make donations to our team runners by clicking here: https://secure.e2rm.com/p2p/event/300303/en-CA For more information, email us at development@wiseuv.org.
The River Valley Club Spinathon
The River Valley Club Spinathon
We are pleased to share that the River Valley Club has named WISE the sole beneficiary of its highly popular Annual Spinathon for the next three years. We have been incredibly grateful for the strong and consistent support of RVC for the past five years. To date, this one event has generated over $140,000 for WISE programming!
In 2019, there were over 100 participants spinning in our honor. Because of their dedication coupled with the generosity of event sponsors, the event raised over $30,000!
Although this amazing event is currently on hold due to the Covid-19 health crisis, we are so grateful for the River Valley Club and the many local businesses who support WISE year after year. We look forward to the next time we can gather for the Spinathon. A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors:
Purple Sponsors: Millennial Moving Solutions, JMH Wealth Management
Teal Sponsors: Adimab, BioXCell, Leone, McDonnell & Roberts, Mascoma Bank, Morgan Stanley, Ronan Law Group
White Sponsors: Bar Harbor Bank & Trust, Campbell & Boyd Insurance, Gap, King Arthur Flour, SymQuest
And the generous local businesses who provided door prizes and incentives: Big Green T’s, Blue Sky Restaurant Group, Boloco, Christian Roy’s Salon, COOP Food Stores, Dumps-A-GoGo, Elixir Restaurant, Golf and Ski Warehouse, Gusanoz Mexican Restaurant, Henderson’s Tree Service and Garden Center, Jake’s Market and Deli, JJ Twister Bars, Juel Modern Apothecary, Left Bank Books, Lemon Tree Gifts, Lucky’s Coffee Garage, Main Street Kitchens, Northern Stage, Norwich Bookstore, Paws 4 Training, Post., Precision Physical Therapy, Red Kite Candy, Revolution Eco-chic Apparel, RVC Cafe, RVC FitShop, RVC Spa and Salon, RVC Tennis, Scratch Supply Company, Skinny Pancake, The J List, Three Tomatoes, Valley Flower Company
