Volunteering often involves multifaceted efforts that are united by a common mission. As a volunteer, team leader, and chairperson of the board at Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence ("SPAN"), Reggie Schmidt knows this all too well.

SPAN-a human rights organization that is committed to ending violence against women and children through support, advocacy, education, and community organizing-has become Reggie's baby.

Even with a full-time career as a kindergarten teacher, Reggie spends at least one full weekend per month and 5 hours per week volunteering her time to further SPAN's mission. This effort has many fronts.

One such example is Reggie's role on the Domestic Abuse Response Team ("DART"). As a team leader, Reggie coordinates with other team members to offer crisis intervention and advocacy on an on-call, 24-hour basis. When an officer calls her team with a report of domestic abuse, her team responds by offering support, information, and counseling when necessary. The primary goal is one of safety.

Yet another role that Reggie plays is one of outreach. SPAN's outreach programs are numerous and varied. To name just a few, SPAN volunteers go into schools with anti-violence curriculum; they conduct anti-racism training; provide legal counseling and advocacy to victims (and offenders) of domestic violence; and, of course, they provide emergency shelter to women in need of a safe refuge.

Reggie acknowledges that her role is often an informative one, particularly when it comes to legal counseling. "We don't tell women what to do. Instead, we give them the information they need to make the decision. We give them the power to make them feel like they can make the decision on their own," says Reggie.

Reggie feels that SPAN is an organization where the fruits of one's labor are evident. "Victims I talk to are so relieved because they finally feel like someone is listening to them and validating what they feel," says Reggie.

Reggie is proud of her work with SPAN and characterizes the organization as one with a "true commitment to ending violence and oppression in every form. It's not just rhetoric," says Reggie. "We walk the walk and talk the talk."

Reggie welcomes all individuals (including men) who are interested in volunteering with SPAN. Volunteers can commit to as few as two, or as many as thirty hours per month, depending on the program.

For information about volunteering with Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence or other agencies, call the Volunteer Connection at 303-444-4904, or go to our Volunteer Central.