Volunteer
I want to donate my time to help people in my community affected by domestic violence and sexual assault.
Volunteer of the Month
Natalia
Featured Volunteer of the Month: July 2025
Volunteer Start Date: January 2025
Time Served: 203 Hours
Natalia is currently a student at California State University, Chico, and will be graduating next spring. She is majoring in Psychology with a minor in Family Relations. When she was looking for an internship opportunity to fulfill her class requirement, she came across the description of Catalyst services, and it immediately caught her attention. She shared that she was interested in helping people who have experienced domestic violence and wanted to support survivors in her community.
Natalia says her favorite part of volunteering with Catalyst is connecting with people in the various volunteer roles. She especially enjoys talking with community members at local tabling events and distributing Catalyst hotline tear-off flyers during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. She also appreciates connecting with shelter families during special events, such as the Easter Petting Zoo, and values the conversations she has with callers on the crisis hotline.
Natalia often uses her bilingual skills to help Spanish-speaking families feel comfortable and supported while staying at the shelter. She is a joy to be around and always brings an upbeat, positive attitude. In honor of her outstanding volunteer work, Natalia was awarded the Endless Energy Award at our 2025 Volunteer Appreciation Event.
Fun Facts: Natalia enjoys reading in her free time and watching romantic movies. She also loves spending time with her friends doing social activities like going to Thursday Night Market in Downtown Chico, shopping, or bowling. Her favorite food is Mexican food, especially tacos.
She loves walking her dog, Canelo, a 3-year-old French Bulldog. Natalia also enjoys the creative process of coming up with new fancy coffee beverages to share with friends. She has been cultivating her coffee-making skills while working at a coffee shop for almost two years. Natalia’s dream job is to become a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT).
Thank you from all of us at Catalyst. We truly appreciate you, Natalia!!
We love our volunteers!
Winter 2025 Class of Volunteers
Next Training Opportunity:
3 Week In-Person Daytime Training
August 4th-August 21st
Monday-Thursday 9:30-4:30
1-hour lunch break
Chico, CA
Volunteer Opportunities:
- Crisis intervention on the 24-hour hotline;
- Direct support to participants in our housing programs and drop-in offices (Chico and Oroville);
- On-call Sexual Assault Forensic Exam accompaniment;
- Assistance in the Children’s Program;
- Legal advocacy and court accompaniment;
- Educational groups for HAVEN residents;
- Providing information at community events;
- Administrative assistance.
Volunteer Responsibilities:
- A minimum commitment of 6 service hours per week for no less than 6 months (volunteers are
welcomed and encouraged to continue with the program after 6 months); - Completion of 65-hour domestic violence and sexual assault counselor training (CA Evidence Codes 1037.1 & 1035.2);
- Completion of screening and background check;
- Participation in 8-hours continuing education per year offered by Catalyst.
If you are interested in volunteering with Catalyst, please review the Volunteer Job Description and the Volunteer Training Schedule, then complete the online application by clicking the link below. Please note that during the application process, you will be prompted to agree to the responsibilities listed in the job description and to the training dates listed in the schedule.
Training is required for all new volunteers, interns, and staff. Class space is limited to 20 total participants. Apply as soon as possible. Interview is required.
