There are many ways you can make a difference as an A Home Within volunteer! Provide pro bono therapy, help others in your field through consultation groups, or engage with your peers as a Chapter Director.
There is no better time than now to join us because this year, we are celebrating 30 years of our community of commitment!
If you’re a therapist and can offer one free hour of therapy each week to a current or former foster youth, join the A Home Within community!
A Home Within envisions a world in which individuals who have experienced foster care have access to at least one consistent, caring relationship. To bring this vision to life, A Home Within volunteers donate one hour per week of open-ended, individual psychotherapy to current and former foster youth for as long as it takes. This means that the duration of therapy is chosen by the client and therapist together rather than by public funding constraints or other limitations of the mental health system.
With our founding commitment to research and our robust continuing education program, we are the only national organization committed to understanding how the trauma inherent in the foster care system impacts clients at all stages of life. Volunteers gain access to continuous virtual clinical consultation, continuing education, and a variety of individualized professional development opportunities.
There is something powerful about practicing without money being involved. The beauty of the child takes center stage, as it always should, and it’s rewarding in a way that my other work isn’t.
– Kyle Petricek, Seattle Chapter
It is a meaningful way to put your compassion into action.
– Jeannine Alvare, Philadelphia Chapter
Throughout your commitment as a volunteer clinician there are a lot of wonderful resources and support provided by AHW to support your journey with your client.
– Robyn Park, Pasadena Chapter
The heart of the organization, Volunteer Clinicians donate one hour per week of open-ended, individual psychotherapy to a current or former foster youth for as long as it takes. At A Home Within, therapy is person-centered, with the frequency, duration, and modality determined within the relational principles of “voice and choice.” This means the client and therapist choose the length of the services rather than having it determined by fiscal or administrative requirements or limitations.
If you would like to join A Home Within’s nationwide network of Volunteer Clinicians, all we need from you is:
Following an initial meeting, we’ll ask for a copy of your CV/resume, liability insurance, professional license, and three professional references.
Volunteer Consultation Group Leaders are responsible for leading and maintaining regular group meetings where clinicians can get support around their cases. Typically, Consultation Group Leaders are seasoned clinicians who have deep knowledge of trauma and the foster care population. Consultation Group Leaders and group members together determine the length and frequency of their group. Consultation groups can meet in person or through video conference.
If you’d like to join A Home Within’s distinguished community of Consultation Group Leaders, all we need from you is:
Volunteer Chapter Directors work with staff to provide local leadership in their A Home Within chapters. The time commitment is approximately two hours per week and the primary responsibility is to ensure Volunteer Clinicians join consultation groups as needed, receive continuing education to enrich their professional development, and are meaningfully connected to and supported by the broader A Home Within community.
If you’d like to donate your expertise, help ensure our volunteers experience a sense of belonging to A Home Within, and make an impact in your local community, all we need from you is:
The heart of our organization is our national network of volunteers who make an indefinite commitment to ensuring the sustainability of A Home Within by providing vital opportunities for personal growth for current and former foster youth. Our model is person-centered and determined within the relational principles of “voice and choice,” which means the client and therapist choose the length of services rather than having it determined by fiscal or administrative requirements or limitations.
Opportunities to contribute to our mission of healing and empowerment include offering leadership, direct clinical services, consultation to peers, continuing education, and becoming an ambassador for A Home Within. If these possibilities excite you, please join our community today. We can’t wait to meet you!
Read about our volunteers’ experience with A Home Within.
Learn more about what it’s like to be a volunteer with A Home Within on our Volunteer FAQ page.
Help us spread the word by sharing our recruitment flier.
