800-829-3777

Become a Helpline Volunteer

Family Paths’ Parenting Stress Helpline provides phone counseling, case management, and resources and referrals to all parents, including foster/adoptive parents, relative caregivers, and other services providers in Alameda County. No prior experience is necessary. We ask that volunteers are empathetic, have proficient computer skills, and are able to complete our mandatory Pre-Service Training program. Due to the extensiveness of these initial trainings, we ask that volunteers commit to one 2-4 hour shift per week for a year.

This year’s mandatory 4-day Pre-Service training will be held on September 13, 14, 27, & 29. Each day volunteers learn useful information about mental health/parenting and develop the skills needed to support our callers. Volunteers must attend all 4 days of our Pre-Service training before they can join the Parenting Stress Helpline.

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Volunteers benefit from joining an agency that is committed to social justice as well as being part of a team of like minded people who are committed to supporting families in our community with respect, integrity, compassion and hope. We especially welcome those who speak other languages in addition to English and people from the diverse communities that Family Paths is a part of.

This rewarding volunteer opportunity is great for:

• students in the mental health/social work field or other health related fields
• mothers, fathers, and caregivers who wish to support fellow parents
• retirees who wish to share their life experience and skills
• folks living in the San Francisco Bay Area
• anyone who wishes to make a difference in the lives of parents and families

Volunteers receive training in advance through our 32-hour Volunteer Pre-Service as well as ongoing training and support thereafter during every helpline shift. Training topics include: Active Listening, Impact of Trauma on the Brain, information on Mental Health issues, Domestic Violence, Substance Abuse, Child Abuse and Mandated Reporting, Resource Parenting and Cultural Humility.

Time Commitment and Duties:

• Volunteer on one 2-4 hour shift per week in the office for one year
• Attend trainings offered by Family Support usually scheduled on an evening or a Saturday and/or attend clinical trainings offered by the agency usually scheduled on weekdays
• Answer phones, make case management call backs, complete referrals to agency services, link callers to resources in the community, support fellow volunteers and staff
• Assist in updating our Community Resource Database
• In addition to volunteering on the helpline you may be able to:
• Volunteer to help in one of our parenting classes
• Volunteer to help at an outreach or other event
• Volunteer to help prepare materials for classes and outreaches

If you are local to the SF Bay Area and interested in learning more about this essential position, please complete the volunteer application below.

NOTE: If you, your children or an immediate family member have received any services at Family Paths, please WAIT at least 2 years after services have ended to apply to become a volunteer. After this time has passed, we would welcome the opportunity to talk with you about your interest and readiness to volunteer.

To Apply: