Volunteer With BARCC

Why Volunteer with BARCC?

You’ll be making a meaningful impact on the lives of sexual violence survivors. You’ll also connect with a dedicated community, contribute to a safer Massachusetts and develop skills for a career in social justice and advocacy.

Our volunteers are a diverse group of individuals from all age groups, level of experience and walks for life. What unites them is a shared commitment to supporting survivors with compassion and empowering communities through education and advocacy.

You can sign up to join our monthly information session and learn more about becoming a BARCC volunteer.

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Interested in Volunteering at BARCC?

Comprehensive Training

Direct service volunteers are required to attend our 40-hour rape crisis counselor training which will empower you with the skills and tools you need to serve survivors.

Winter 2025

Direct Service Volunteer Training
To become a direct service volunteer, you must attend all training sessions listed below, unless noted otherwise.

  • Saturday, February 1 | 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. in person
  • Monday, February 3 | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. zoom
  • Thursday, February 6 | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. zoom
  • Monday, February 10 | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. zoom
  • Thursday, February 13 | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. zoom
  • Tuesday, February 18 | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. zoom
  • Saturday, February 22 |  10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. in person (Medical Advocates only)
  • Sunday, February 23 | 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. in person (Hotline Volunteers only)
  • Medical Advocate program specific training (Medical Advocates only) | Saturday, March 1 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Brigham & Women’s Hospital
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Spring 2025

Direct Service Volunteer Training
To become a direct service volunteer, you must attend all training sessions listed below, unless noted otherwise.

  • Saturday, May 10 | 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. in person
  • Monday, May 12 | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Zoom
  • Thursday, May 15 | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Zoom
  • Monday, May 19 | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Zoom
  • Wednesday, May 21 | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Zoom
  • Tuesday, May 26 | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Zoom
  • Saturday, May 31 | 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. in person (Medical Advocates only)
  • Sunday, June 1 | 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. in person (Hotline Volunteers only)
  • Medical Advocate program specific training (Medical Advocates only) | Saturday, June 7 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Brigham & Women’s Hospital

Summer 2025

Direct Service Volunteer Training
To become a direct service volunteer, you must attend all training sessions listed below, unless noted otherwise.

  • Monday, August 18 | 9 a.m. -1:30 p.m. Zoom
  • Tuesday, August 19 | 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Zoom
  • Wednesday, August 20 | 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Zoom
  • Thursday, August 21 | 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Zoom
  • Friday, August 22 | 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Zoom
  • Sunday, August 24 |10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. in person (Medical Advocates only)
  • Sunday, August 31 | 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. in person (Hotline Volunteers only)
  • Medical Advocate program specific training (Medical Advocates only) | Saturday, September 6 from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Brigham & Women’s Hospital

Fall 2025

Direct Service Volunteer Training
To become a direct service volunteer, you must attend all training sessions listed below, unless noted otherwise. We will not be hiring Medical Advocates for this training

  • Saturday, October 18 | 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. in person
  • Monday, October 20 | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Zoom
  • Thursday, October 23 | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Zoom
  • Monday, October 27 | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Zoom
  • Wednesday, October 29 | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Zoom
  • Monday, November 3 | 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. Zoom
  • DATE TBD: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. in person (Hotline Volunteers only)

How You Can Get Involved

At BARCC, our mission is to end sexual violence through healing and social change. By becoming a volunteer, you can take an active role in realizing this vision.

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Direct Support to Survivors

Provide crisis counseling and support on our 24/7 hotline, webchat, or incarcerated survivor support line.

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Medical Advocate Volunteering

Accompany survivors in the hospital for a sexual assault evidence collection kit.

A volunteer with long hair and glasses sits at an outdoor table displaying pamphlets and promotional items. Trees and a building are visible in the background, adding a serene touch to the scene.

Community Education and Outreach

Participate in outreach events to raise awareness about sexual violence and BARCC’s services.

A Boston gazebo showcases colorful shirts with messages about breaking silence and educating against violence, urging the community to get involved as part of a public awareness display.

BARCC Event Volunteer

Volunteers at our community events — including our annual April Walk for Change.

Apply to be a BARCC Volunteer

Thank you for your commitment to ending sexual violence through healing and social change! Volunteering at BARCC is a rewarding experience that brings all those involved into contact with the incredible resilience of survivors and our community.

Please fill out our short application below. It takes most volunteers 15 minutes or less to complete, and a BARCC team member will be in touch with you soon. We schedule interviews one month before trainings begin. Items marked with a red star are required; all other items are optional.

If you have any questions about this application, please email volunteer@barcc.org.

Direct Service Volunteer Application

Guidelines for knowing if it is the right time for you to become a BARCC direct service volunteer

We find that volunteers are most successful in this work when they have taken time to address and process how they are personally connected to the issue of sexual violence so that they can then support the healing of others and give back to the community.

Please check each box to confirm you have read it. If you have questions or concern about any of the guidelines, you can e-mail volunteer [at] barcc.org or fill out the text box below the list.

Testimonials

Volunteers are what keep BARCC’s 24-hour crisis services functioning, connecting us to survivors, their loved ones, our communities and more.

“Supporting BARCC strengthens our community and empowers individuals.”

Susan M. Paley

The Village Bank

“BARCC provides essential support and trauma-informed care.”

Lisa Lachance

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

“I’m humbled by the integrity and deep-rooted intention of each and every person involved with BARCC and their desire to create a safe space for survivors. The tireless passion for creating change. The ability to sit with, and honor, humans in deep pain. . . . It’s remarkable.” 

Lynn Eikenberry

“You believed me. Without question. That left a lasting impact. In donating, I hope to pass that on to others. I believe you.” 

Emily C

“Barcc has permanently changed my life and life for so many of my loved ones. Gina is my hero! I can’t imagine where I would be without this amazing organization.”

Anne Reed

“Volunteered here for several years as a Medical Advocate. Seeing what an organization like this does on a daily basis and how it impacts the people and community it serves, really puts things in perspective. So lucky to live in an area where these services and compassionate people exist. Keep up the good, important and crucial work barcc! You’ll always have my support!”

Beth Toomey

BARCC Volunteer

“Excellent place for support – They helped change my life. I can’t imagine my life had they not help me. The impact was like no other organization I had been to. I can’t wait to give back! Thank you for the skills and all that you gave.”

Leslie D Meiggs

“Thank you, Boston Area Rape Crisis Center, for your invaluable service.”

Carrie Kourkoumelis

“BARCC offers amazing services! Their counselors are wonderful.”

Nicole Mazzeo

“Se convirtieron en mis ángeles de la guarda ? Siempre estarán en mi corazón 💓 porque me ayudaron a ver lo bello de la vida y a apartar de mi mente todo lo malo que yo e vivido”

Dina Ramos

“I felt really isolated and unsupported. Now that I have BARCC, I’m part of a large, supportive, and empowering community.”

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Cory

“After my assaults, I felt scared, numb, and like my being had been stripped from me. Thanks to BARCC, today I feel a lot stronger. Happy and whole.”

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Sonia

“I decided that if there’s anything I can do for survivors, I’m going to do it.”

A smiling person with long blonde hair in a black top stands against a purple, wavy patterned background, embodying the warmth and support found at Boston's Rape Crisis Center.

Nina

BARCC Volunteer

Quick Links

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24-7 Support

Call 800-841-8371

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Chat Online

9:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m.

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Request an Appointment