Our extraordinary volunteers
Whether they are representing WISE within the community or ensuring WISE support is available every hour, every day, WISE volunteers are truly a very special group of people. We say it over and over again: we could not do what we do without our volunteers.
This past year, WISE volunteers donated over 10,000 hours! 43 volunteer advocates answered over 800 calls on our crisis line. They supported 118 survivors in person at local hospitals and police departments. They met survivors throughout the Upper Valley at Dartmouth-Hitchcock, Alice Peck Day Memorial Hospital, Mt Ascutney Hospital, and Cottage Hospital. We experienced a lot of changes due to the pandemic and our volunteers remained flexible with us, quickly adapting as hospital policies and protocols shifted and changed.
As communities began to gather in person again, WISE ambassadors made sure that WISE was visible and materials were available at 25 community events throughout the Upper Valley. It was wonderful to be out in the community again, community members talking with community members about our work at farmers markets, pride events, and community wellness events - all made possible by our committed WISE ambassadors and summer intern. They made sure WISE was visible on beautiful sunny days and even on cold gray days.
And there are many other ways that Upper Valley friends support the organization - holiday shopping for survivors, hosting donation drives, putting together office furniture, washing windows. Your actions mean so much and are invaluable.
