Volunteer Opportunities

The Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter relies on volunteers to help with day to day operations as well as special projects.  Please contact Eva Laurin, Director of Outreach, at elaurin@nwaws.org or 479.246.999 for more information on how to get involved.  Here are our current highest needs:

Direct Care

Office Assistant – Volunteering in the morning or afternoon answering and directing calls from our crisis line as well as administrative calls.  Other job duties may include data entry, special projects, and transporting clients to appointments.  Volunteers for this position should be flexible and comfortable working in a crisis shelter environment.

On-Call Transporter – Volunteers willing to pick certain days out of the month to be on-call to transport clients to needed appointments such as job interviews, looking for apartments, doctor’s appointments, etc.  You would use the Women’s Shelter vehicles for all transportation.

Personal Shopper – Transporting clients to shop for clothing for themselves and their children.  Volunteers in this role would spend time with the clients while they are shopping and would help them pick out clothing that is flattering and outfits that coordinate while also assisting with any children, if they come shopping as well.

Direct Care Volunteers must complete a volutneer application, 5 hours of training, and 5 hours of shadowing.  Volunteers who transport must have a valid Arkansas Driver’s License.  Click here to access the volunteer application or contact Eva Laurin, Director of Outreach, at elaurin@nwaws.org or 479.246.9999 for more information.

Shelter Support

Thrift Store  - Volunteers are currently needed to assist in the Northwest Arkansas Women’s Shelter Thrift Store during business hours (10am-5pm) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. 

Donation Pick-Up – Volunteers willing to be contacted when the Women’s Shelter receives large donations (furniture, large food donations, etc) that needs to be picked up.  Access to a truck would be helpful, but not a requirement.

Volunteer Groups – Groups of 5-20 volunteers willing to come out to assist with projects at either our thrift store or onsite at the Women’s Shelter.  Projects include sorting and processing donations, painting rooms, organizing and inventorying the emergency supply closets used by clients, as well as other special projects that arise.

Becoming a Shelter Support Volunteer does not require an application or separate training sessions, simply contact Eva Laurin, Director of Outreach, at elaurin@nwaws.org or at 479.246.9999 to set up a time to help.