Training and Mobilizing Volunteers for Emergency Response and Long-Term Support

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This article offers guidelines for the screening, assignment, and ongoing training of volunteers for active outreach, which are based on the experience of the Israel Crisis Management Center's countrywide volunteer network. Given ongoing support, volunteers can provide the vital immediate and long-term support that is particularly important to vulnerable populations. Issues in training include: (a) responding to loss and trauma, (b) collaboration, and (c) cultural sensitivity. Ways to minimize burnout through nurturing a sense of belonging, connectedness, and meaning are discussed. The unique contribution and need for special support of volunteer trauma survivors who are models of post-traumatic growth is described.