Norma's House Volunteers

Gonzales Regional Children's Advocacy Center

Serving Gonzales & Lavaca Counties

Norma's House provides services to children and families who are victims of abuse.
We conduct videotaped forensic interviews of children ages 2 to 17 upon referral
from law enforcement or child protective services. In addition we provide referral
information to parents regarding counseling and community resources. Volunteer
hours are flexible.

All child advocacy centers in Texas are required to have a solid volunteer base. The
volunteers at Norma's House are dedicated members of our team and use their
various skills and assets in order to make our advocacy center a wonderful place for
children to visit.

Volunteers can help us by:

• Interacting with children and families who come to the Center, making them feel
comfortable and at ease. Includes engaging children in activities such as playing a
board game, coloring, reading or watching a movie.

• Contacting by phone, non-offending caregivers to complete a client satisfaction
survey of their services received at Norma's House.

• Sorting through donations - stuffed animals, toys, juice and snacks-and sending
thank you notes.

• Ensuring that toy shelf, refrigerator, and snacks are stocked, and ready for children
and families.

• Assisting with community education programs and health fairs.

• Planting and maintaining flower beds.

• Decorating for holidays.

• Assisting during special events - Dodgeball tournaments, NH Child Abuse
Conference (April 28), other fund raising or awareness events.

• Assisting with maintenance needs - replacing lights (indoor and outdoor),
touch up painting, etc.

• Assisting with Happy Bear presentation for PK-3rd graders. We need
volunteers to BE Happy Bear!

To Become A Volunteer:

1. Contact Kristen Ramos at 830-672-1278.

2. Download application.

3. As a part of the volunteer application, a criminal background and Department
of Family and Protective Services (identifies persons whom the DFPS has
found to have abused or neglected children) check will be completed.

4. You will meet with the volunteer coordinator to discuss your interests, take a
tour of our center, and set up when you would like to volunteer.

5. Training will be individualized and based upon your interests. Training for
each volunteer will also include an overview of our center, observation of the
community education programs, introduction to child abuse and how to
respond to questions and situations that you may come in contact with while
you are volunteering.

Changing Lives ~ Giving Hope

To Report Suspected Abuse, call 1-800-252-5400 OR 911

Texas Family Code (261.101) states that a person having cause to believe
that a child's physical or mental health or welfare has been or may be
adversely affected by the abuse or neglect must report immediately.
Failure to report is punishable by imprisonment for up to 180 days and/or a
fine up to $2,000.

Proud members of:

Revenue Service as a 501(C)(3) tax-exempt organization, and all donations
are tax deductible to the extent provided by law.
GRCAC's Federal Identification Number (EIN) is 74-2920527.