HICKORY, NC - Women’s Resource Center will conduct a volunteer training workshop on September 20, 2005 from 10:00am until 12:00 noon. The workshop will be held at the Center’s facility located at 125 3rd Street NE in Hickory. Twila Hartford, WRC’s Support Services Coordinator, will facilitate the training.

The workshop focuses on several aspects of the volunteer process at the Center. Basic and referral training sessions will be held. Through the training, participants learn how to answer and direct phone calls from women in crisis situations with resource and referral information.

WRC volunteers will also be instructed on how to handle clients on a one-on-one basis in many different situations. Each trainee participates in role-playing scenarios to learn how to handle different circumstances when assessing needs of the clients. Each volunteer-in-training will receive information regarding referral and assistance agencies.

Women’s Resource Center was opened in 1986 and has since been a place of resource and support to women and their families in this community. The Center’s work includes crisis assistance, resource and referral services, a food pantry, and free professional clothing for women entering or re-entering the work force through the Women2Work Clothing Closet. WRC also offers a variety of programs focusing on life skill, health and wellness, and personal and professional development.

Answering the phone, working in the emergency pantries, and helping with programs are just some of the volunteer opportunities at Women’s Resource Center. To find out more about the volunteer training workshop and how you can help support the work of WRC, call the Center at (828) 322-6333 or visit our website at www.wrchickory.org to register online. Women’s Resource Center is a member agency of Catawba County United Way.

# # #