Volunteer
I want to donate my time to help people in my community affected by domestic violence and sexual assault.
Volunteer of the Month
Mai
Featured Volunteer of the Month: February 2026
Volunteer Start Date: August 2025
Time Served: 210 Hours
Mai is a Butte College student working toward her Associate of Arts in Psychology. In the fall, she plans to transfer to C.S.U. San Marcos to continue toward her goal of becoming a Clinical Psychologist specializing in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.
Mai chose to volunteer with Catalyst to deepen her understanding of trauma-informed care and to gain hands-on experience in a supportive, survivor-centered environment.
“As a survivor of sexual assault myself, it’s incredibly meaningful to witness people reclaim their autonomy,” Mai said. “Even sharing moments of laughter or small joy throughout the day [with participants] feels affirming and purposeful. I love building community and am so grateful to be a part of such a positive environment.”
While volunteering, Mai helps by answering crisis hotline calls, cleaning around the shelter, preparing for special events, decorating for holidays, and organizing donations. She volunteered at our Safe HAVEN Showcase during DVAM. She has been helpful in transporting donated furniture to Catalyst participants when asked. Mai made homemade pies for our HAVEN Shelter Thanksgiving Dinner to share with everyone. Her favorite part of volunteering at Catalyst is helping with childcare when it is needed. She says she really enjoys building connections with children through playing and day-to-day interactions.
Fun Facts: Mai loves astrology and reading her friends’ charts. She says: “My Sun, Rising and Mercury are all in Virgo which can make me intensely analytical and detail oriented.” Her favorite food is mango sticky rice. She spends her free time cooking, reading, writing/journaling, swimming, or doing Sudoku. She also enjoys spending time with friends and/or her great Pyrenees, Ludo, outdoors. Her day is usually filled with music, and her favorite artists are Amy Winehouse, Sade, Diana Ross, Alice Phoebe Lou, James Brown, and Olivia Dean. Mai also loves practicing her latte art skills and collecting vintage clothing.
Thank you, Mai, for the comfort and joy that you bring to others! We are so lucky to have you volunteering with us.
We love our volunteers!
Summer 2025 Class of Volunteers
Next Training Opportunity:
Summer 2026
Dates TBD
In-person, 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.
