LAKE COUNTY – Lake Family Resource Center (Lake FRC) has announced that it is recruiting for volunteers to assist in its domestic violence program, including working at Freedom House.

Freedom House shelters families who are rebuilding their lives after having experienced domestic violence.

Lake FRC has always depended on dedicated volunteers and this year it is especially important.

“The State cut 100-percent of our domestic violence shelter funding this year, totaling one-half of all our domestic violence funding,” said Executive Director Gloria Flaherty. “This resulted in the elimination of several positions that staffed the shelter, plus other cuts. You can imagine the difficulty of covering shifts 24/7 with less than four full-time remaining staff members.”

The agency is hopeful that community members will be willing to help provide the comprehensive services necessary in the program.

Volunteering provides valuable experience as well as contributing to bettering your community. If you are unemployed or underemployed volunteering can help improve your resume, provide new contacts, and add new job skills, all while providing community service.

If you are retired, or looking for a constructive way to provide community service, volunteering will provide valuable experience, new friends, and help your community.

Domestic violence responders are required by the state to complete 40-hours of training.

Upon graduation, volunteer responders receive a certificate of completion and are eligible to volunteer.

Types of jobs include staffing shifts at the shelter, answering the crisis line, transporting clients if necessary, helping with support groups and children’s activities and paperwork.

Rae Eby-Carl, senior deputy director at Lake FRC and in charge of the domestic violence programs, is excited at the prospect of attracting couples to volunteer together.

“I am thinking that couples, or sets of two friends, might volunteer together to help us cover shifts at the shelter – especially at night,” Eby-Carl said. “They can stand together against domestic violence, and provide positive male role models for residents and their children.”

The training is scheduled for Oct. 19 through Oct. 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 4325 Main St., Kelseyville.

If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Rae Eby-Carl at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 707-279-0563, Extension 103.

Lake Family Resource Center provides a multitude of services to build family stability and strength. The agency supports Lake County residents in achieving stable, self-sufficient, and healthy families and communities.