Volunteer with AFSP Virginia
4 min read
We invite you to join us in our mission to save lives and bring hope to those affected by suicide.
Our chapter serves all of Virginia except for Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William and Arlington Counties and the City of Alexandria. For these locations, visit afsp.org/ncac. Click here to view a map of AFSP Virginia's service area.
Click here to complete a Virginia Chapter Volunteer Application.
We are excited that you are interested in joining our AFSP Virginia volunteer team. Here are 6 simple steps to getting involved after submitting your application:
- Follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn)
- Participate in a campus or community walk
- Register as an Advocate
- Attend a training or educational presentation
- Register for a Volunteer Orientation (see below)
- Join our Virginia Chapter Volunteers Facebook Group
Current volunteers - click here to sign up for upcoming opportunities!
Get to Know Us: A Volunteer Introduction to AFSP Virginia
Table Talk: An Introduction to Outreach Events
Wednesday, April 10, 2024, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM (Virtual)
Wednesday, June 5, 2024, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM (Virtual)
Saturday, August 17, 2024, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM (Virtual)
Tuesday, October 22, 2024, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM (Virtual)
Wednesday, December 11, 2024, 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM (Virtual)
Volunteer with an Event
AFSP Virginia depends on volunteers to plan, organize, and host a wide array of fundraising events throughout the commonwealth in order to fund our mission of saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. Our events offer opportunities to volunteer in an ongoing capacity on our planning committees, as well as episodic opportunities such as distributing flyers in the community and "day of event" tasks. Our event lineup includes:
12 Out of the Darkness Campus Walks (Spring) - see locations
15 Out of the Darkness Community Walks (Fall) - see locations
Bedford Hike for Hope (Spring) - Falling Creek Park, Bedford, VA
To volunteer with any of our events, please submit a volunteer application and indicate your event interest on the form, or contact Emily Bacalis, Special Events Manager, at [email protected] or (202) 839-2174.
Volunteer to Support Suicide Loss Survivors
AFSP Virginia is seeking additional volunteers to serve within our Loss & Healing programs. Opportunities to support suicide loss survivors include:
Loss & Healing Committee Member (see below)
Healing Conversations Volunteer (training required and provided)
International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day Host (materials and training provided)
To volunteer for our loss and healing efforts, please submit a volunteer application and indicate your program interest on the form, or contact Markita Madden, Virginia Programs Manager, at [email protected] or (540) 718-2221.
Volunteer for a Virginia Chapter Committee
AFSP Virginia is volunteer-led in our efforts to create impact in our communities. We create an impact through the work of several chapter committees which operate in connection with our Virginia Chapter Board of Directors and chapter staff. These committees include:
DEI Committee
Our DEI committee works to ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of our chapter's programming and events. The committee genrally meets virtually on the second Wednesday of each month at 7PM.
Contact: Kathe Goller, Virignia Executive Director, [email protected]
Development/Fundraising Committee
Our Development Committee works to develop individual and corporate giving within the chapter and to support our peer to peer events with fundraising and sponsorship strategy. The committee meets as needed and does not have a set schedule.
Contact: Emily Bacalis, Virignia Special Events Manager, [email protected]
Education Committee
Our education committee works to organize, present, and support suicide prevention programming throughout our chapter. The committee generally meets virtually on the first Thursday of each month at 7PM.
Contact: Markita Madden, Virignia Programs Manager, [email protected]
Loss & Healing Committee
Our loss and healing committee organizes and implements our chapter's loss and healing programs, to include Healing Conversations and International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day. The committee generally meets virtually on the third Thursday of each month at 7PM.
Contact: Markita Madden, Virignia Programs Manager, [email protected]
Nominations Committee
Our nominations committee oversees our capacity-building efforts by identifying, recruiting, and vetting leadership volunteers for the chapter. Members of this committee are required to have served previously in another volunteer role within the chapter. The commitee meets as needed and does not have a set schedule.
Contact: Kathe Goller, Virignia Executive Director, [email protected]
Public Policy Committee
Our public policy committee is made up of AFSP Advocates who work across our chapter to promote awareness of AFSP's public policy efforts, recruit new AFSP Advocates, and plan our annual Virginia State Capitol Day event. The committee generally meets virtually on the fourth Thursday of each month at 7PM.
Contact: Markita Madden, Virignia Programs Manager, [email protected]
Volunteerism Committee
Our volunteerism committee is responsible for identifying, recruiting, training, and onboarding volunteers for AFSP Virginia Chapter. The committee generally meets virtually on the fourth Monday of each month at 7PM.
Contact: Emily Bacalis, Virignia Special Events Manager, [email protected]