Volunteering with AFSP-NCAC!

October 14, 2020 – 3 min read

Washington, D.C. Out of the Darkness Walk

Volunteering with AFSP-NCAC!

Volunteers are the heart of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and our local National Capital Area Chapter. These dedicated champions of suicide prevention care deeply about the cause, and they reach people in communities everywhere by delivering education and support programs, walking to raise awareness and funds, advocating for life-saving policies, and so much more. When you volunteer with AFSP-NCAC, you join thousands who share your passion for saving lives and bringing hope to those affected by suicide. Learn more below about how to get involved, and become a critical part of our mission.

Mirroring Our Community

To provide effective outreach, engage, and serve the many diverse constituents and communities within our chapter's service area, our volunteers must reflect the populations of our region. The purposeful recruitment of volunteers with a variety of life factors and unique experiences to include a multitude of perspectives when making chapter decisions is vital to the success of your mission.

Volunteer Resources

Online Volunteer Application Complete this form to get started! After your application is submitted, our Volunteer Chair will reach out to you to set up a welcome meeting where we can get to know you, share about what volunteer opportunities exist, and answer any questions you may have!
Volunteer Calendar Check this out to find upcoming volunteer opportunities. Click through to learn more and sign up to volunteer.
Volunteering with AFSP (national website) Meet our incredible volunteers and learn their "Why." Explore how AFSP volunteers support Loss & Healing, Education, Fundraising, Public Policy, Out of the Darkness Walks, and Chapter Administration.
Levels of Volunteer Engagement Whether you can volunteer every once in a while or are looking for leadership, we have volunteer opportunities for everyone. Click through to learn more about our various levels of engagement.
Become an Advocate By signing up as an AFSP Volunteer Advocate, you'll become a vital part of a large grassroots movement of people who are speaking out for suicide prevention and mental health at all levels of government.
Tips for Getting Started With so many opportunities and ways to engage, it can be a lot of information to take in all at once. It can also leave some feeling like they don't know where to start. Follow the link above to find tips and tools to help you achieve your volunteer goals.

FAQ's

Are volunteers needed? Yes! Yes! Yes! A million times YES! As the largest voluntary organization dedicated to suicide prevention, we cannot serve our mission without volunteers like you.
What do volunteers do? Chapter volunteers help with everything from stuffing envelopes to emailing their representatives, planning and coordinating fundraising events, presenting chapter programs, talking to the media, and even serving on the chapter's Board of Directors. No matter your area of interest or level of commitment, we are sure to have a volunteer opportunity that is right for you!
What's the required level of commitment? Well, that depends. We have volunteer opportunities that range from lower levels of commitment to higher levels of more regular engagement and commitment. We need everything from day-of-event volunteers, to volunteer public policy advocates, committee members, and chapter leaders (e.g. Board Members and/or Committee Leads). Whether you can volunteer every once in a while or are looking for leadership, we have volunteer opportunities for everyone.
Is there any special training required to volunteer? While this depends on the position, most volunteer opportunities do not require any prior training. For most positions that do require prior training, AFSP will provide the onboarding needed. We do highly recommend that all volunteers attend a Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention presentation.
What if English isn't my first language? We are looking for volunteers from all backgrounds to help provide outreach to, engage, and serve the many diverse populations and communities within our chapter's region.
Do you have volunteer opportunities for persons under 18 years of age? Yes! We have many opportunities for youth to engage with our chapter. To learn more, please contact [email protected].
Do you have opportunities for volunteers who need community service hours? Yes! We have many opportunities and are happy to assist with providing proof-of-service documentation needed.
What if I need special accomodations? If you need any accommodations or have any questions about accessibility, please don't hesitate to contact [email protected]. It is our goal to create an equitable environment that promotes diversity and is inclusive for all!