Volunteer with the New Jersey Chapter!

All of our chapter operations are made possible with the dedication of volunteers across the State. Join us in our mission to #StopSuicide! Complete our Volunteer Application to get started!

Levels of Engagement

Day of Event Volunteers
Sign up to help for the 'day-of' at a chapter event! There are numerous opportunities throughout the year to help us with events. From set up and tear down to running stations like event registration, pickup for prizes and other goodies, craft tables, and more, we need your helping hands! Our busiest time of need for day-of volunteers is in the fall during our Out of the Darkness Community Walk season. See what's coming up here! 

Committee Participation
If you are looking for more consistent and ongoing participation, join one of our chapter committees. Get to know fellow volunteers and chapter leaders, and share your good ideas to help us shape the future of this chapter. We have a range of committees, described below, some of which are seasonal planning committees while others are active year-round.

Chapter Leadership
Individuals with a desire for a higher level of involvement are encouraged to pursue leadership within the chapter. Chapter leaders develop and steward our strategic plan, and serve as a source of guidance and support for fellow volunteers. We offer leadership opportunities that vary by level of responsibility and time commitment, including both board and non-board-level positions. It is never too early to start exploring your leadership goals within the chapter! We want to support your endeavor to become a leader in suicide prevention and encourage you to reach out about your
interests!

Chapter Committees

The AFSP New Jersey Chapter is working hard to bring suicide prevention resources to as many people as we can across the State. It is through a number of volunteer-run committees that we are able to do this work, and we hope you will consider joining us! The following chapter committees are described in more detail below:

• Advocacy Committee
• Communications Committee
• Out of the Darkness Community Walk Committees
• Education Committee
• Spring Event Planning Committees 
• Loss & Healing Committee 
• Volunteer Committee 

Advocacy Committee
Advocates looking to engage in meaningful dialogue with others about suicide prevention can apply their passion to shape changes in policy at the local, state, and federal levels. Join this committee to:

• Learn how to engage in advocacy (no prior experience is required!)
• Recruit Chapter Advocates to take advantage of easy ways to weigh in on policy issues.
• Work with chapter and national leadership to identify advocacy opportunities at various levels of governance.
• Plan, coordinate, and attend the annual State Capitol Days.
• Build and maintain relationships with community leaders and elected officials to update/enact policies to enhance suicide prevention.

Communications Committee
This committee is responsible for the planning, development, and implementation of internal and external chapter-wide communications. Volunteers play an essential role in chapter marketing and public relations activity through:

• Website Updates
• Social Media
• Email Communications
• Newsletters / Online Blog
• Press Releases
• Public Speaking & Interviews
• Storytelling and Thought Leadership Opportunities

Community Walk Committees
The annual Out of the Darkness Community Walks would not be possible without the hard work of our volunteer walk chairs and planning committees. Each fall, the New Jersey Chapter hosts walks in Atlantic City, Morris County, Jersey Shore, Mercer County, Northwest New Jersey, Camden County, Bergen County, Gloucester County, Burlington County, Cumberland County, Hoboken, Essex County, and Middlesex County. These committees are a great place to start for new volunteers looking to gain a broader understanding of our role in the community. As a committee member, you will have the opportunity to:

• Raise awareness and funds to serve our mission.
• Aide in the planning of a meaningful event that attracts thousands of local attendees.
• Recruit and support walk participants.
• Grow community and sponsor support.
• Set the groundwork for new partnerships with organizations, schools, and community leaders.

Education Committee
AFSP offers a number of free education programs to the public to increase awareness and understanding of this complex health issue. Members of this committee are trained to distribute educational materials and present our programs. Committee members are also encouraged to help identify opportunities to present our programs in the community. Committee members will identify outreach opportunities for Talk Saves Lives™, our introductory suicide prevention program; More Than Sad, our teen-specific program; It’s Real, with teen and college versions as well as Introduction to Supporting Those At Risk, our program to help those with loved ones who have had thoughts of suicide or have made an attempt.

Spring Event Planning Committees
Get involved in planning one of our other annual chapter events, including our Ride to Fight Suicide, Hike for Hope, Campus Walks. These committees convene between December/January and remain active through the springtime when the events take place. Get involved and help to:

• Raise awareness and funds to serve our mission.
• Recruit event participants and sponsors.
• Manage event logistics.
• Organize raffles at events.

Loss & Healing Committee
Support for survivors of suicide loss can make a big difference to those who are grieving. If you feel ready and wish to share your compassion and empathy with those who are navigating their grief journey after a suicide loss, the Loss & Healing (L&H) Committee needs you. L&H volunteers are active in planning meaningful events and activities for loss survivors, and reaching out to the community to share our resources after loss. As a member of this committee, you may:

• Identify and connect with relevant community partners to raise awareness about the resources available to loss survivors.
• Coordinate with individuals who host our annual International Survivors of Suicide Loss (ISOSL) Day events in the area and help to identify geographic areas where there is a need for an event.
• Facilitate the training for new Support Group facilitators and help identify geographic areas where there is a need for support groups.
• Help plan remembrance and healing activities for our major community events (i.e. Out of the Darkness Walks, Ride to Fight Suicide, etc.)
• Become a trained Healing Conversations volunteer to provide direct peer support to other survivors of loss.

Volunteer Committee
We strive to build a strong volunteer community and need your help to welcome and support other volunteers! Work with our Volunteer Chair to create a positive volunteer experience through:

• Direct outreach to recruit, welcome, onboard, and thank volunteers.
• Planning and coordination of events to recruit, onboard, and steward volunteers (i.e. new volunteer orientations, social events, appreciation events).
• Oversight and communication of chapter volunteer opportunities to registered volunteers.
• Develop creative opportunities to engage volunteers during less active times (i.e., outside Walk season).
• Identify opportunities to recruit volunteers representing all communities across New Jersey.
• Develop a volunteer base that reflects the diversity of the state.