Question 1

Is this a paid or volunteer position?

Accepted Answer

All opportunities listed on this page are currently volunteer-based positions. As a growing nonprofit organization, we rely heavily on passionate individuals who believe in our mission and want to contribute their time, skills, and energy toward creating meaningful impact.

While these roles are unpaid, volunteers often gain valuable real-world experience, professional development, leadership opportunities, portfolio-building work, networking connections, and the opportunity to directly contribute to a mission-driven organization making a tangible difference in people’s lives.

Question 2

What qualities are you looking for in volunteers?

Accepted Answer

We are looking for individuals who are reliable, communicative, self-motivated, emotionally mature, collaborative, and genuinely aligned with our mission and values.

Because we are a growing organization with a small but passionate team, we highly value volunteers who take initiative, follow through on commitments, communicate clearly, remain adaptable, and are willing to contribute thoughtfully and consistently.

You do not need to be perfect or have extensive experience — but we do look for people who are accountable, growth-oriented, respectful, and committed to making a positive impact.

Question 3

Do I need prior nonprofit or mental health experience?

Accepted Answer

No, you do not. Not necessarily. While some roles may benefit from specialized experience or professional backgrounds, many volunteer opportunities are open to individuals with transferable skills, strong work ethic, creativity, organizational abilities, or a genuine passion for our mission.

We welcome people from diverse professional, educational, and personal backgrounds. What matters most is alignment with our values, willingness to learn, professionalism, communication, and reliability.

Question 4

How much time commitment is expected?

Accepted Answer

Time commitments vary depending on the specific role, department, and season of the organization. On average, we ask volunteers to contribute approximately 3 hours per week while working toward clear, tangible outcomes and responsibilities within their role.

Some periods may be lighter and require minimal involvement, while other seasons — such as fundraising events, campaigns, program launches, or major initiatives — may require more active participation and collaboration.

We understand that volunteers often balance work, school, family, and personal responsibilities. At the same time, because we are a mission-driven organization with real operational needs and impact goals, we highly value volunteers who communicate clearly, follow through consistently, and commit only to responsibilities they can realistically fulfill.

Question 5

Is volunteering remote or in-person?

Accepted Answer

Most volunteer opportunities with Travel Through Trauma are fully remote, allowing individuals to contribute from anywhere. We have team members located globally.

Depending on the role, some opportunities may occasionally involve in-person fundraising events, wellness activities, or community initiatives within the Greater Los Angeles area. We also host an in-person team retreat every winter for team-building.

Specific expectations and logistics will vary by role and department.

Question 6

What types of volunteer opportunities are available?

Accepted Answer

Volunteer opportunities at Travel Through Trauma generally fall into two categories: client-facing roles and back-end operational roles.

Client-Facing Roles
These roles directly support participant experience, wellness, growth, and program delivery. Depending on background, qualifications, and organizational needs, opportunities may include:
Therapy and mental health support
Health & fitness coaching
Self-defense instruction
Financial coaching and education
Life coaching and mentorship
Language and cultural learning
Participant accountability and support
Workshop facilitation
Community-building and wellness initiatives
Alumni engagement and mentorship
Many client-facing roles require relevant experience, certifications, licensure, professional background, or strong alignment with trauma-informed values and participant safety standards.

Back-End Operational Roles
These roles help support the infrastructure, growth, visibility, and sustainability of the organization behind the scenes. Opportunities may include:
Social media and digital marketing
Content creation and storytelling
Fundraising and donor outreach
Grant writing and sponsorship support
Event planning and coordination
Graphic design, photography, and videography
Website management and technology support
Administrative and operational assistance
Partnerships and community outreach
Project management and organizational development

As the organization continues to grow, volunteer opportunities may evolve based on organizational needs, new initiatives, and the unique strengths volunteers bring to the team.

Question 7

Can volunteering with Travel Through Trauma help me gain experience or grow professionally?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Many volunteers gain hands-on experience in nonprofit operations, leadership, communications, marketing, fundraising, wellness services, program development, and community engagement.

Volunteers may also have opportunities to strengthen their portfolios, expand professional networks, develop leadership and collaboration skills, and contribute to meaningful real-world projects that create direct social impact.

Question 8

How long are volunteers expected to stay involved?

Accepted Answer

There is no strict minimum commitment length for most volunteer roles. However, because onboarding, training, collaboration, and organizational continuity require significant time and resources, we especially value volunteers who are interested in contributing consistently and building long-term relationships with the organization whenever possible.

For client-facing roles specifically, we strongly ask that volunteers do not leave in the middle of an active 4-month participant program whenever reasonably possible, as this can be highly disruptive to participant trust, continuity of care, and overall program stability.

In general, we also request that volunteers provide approximately four months’ notice before departing their role whenever possible. This allows sufficient time for recruitment, onboarding, training, and transition planning to help ensure continuity for both the organization and the individuals we serve.

Additional details regarding volunteer expectations, responsibilities, transitions, and departures are outlined in the Volunteer Agreement signed during onboarding.

Question 9

Can volunteers eventually grow into leadership or larger responsibilities?

Accepted Answer

Yes. As Travel Through Trauma continues to grow, we aim to create meaningful opportunities for volunteers to develop leadership, operational, communication, and project management skills that can positively impact other areas of their personal and professional lives as well.

Depending on the role, volunteers may hold titles such as “Manager” or “Director” and are encouraged to take ownership of their responsibilities end-to-end with increasing independence, initiative, accountability, and creativity. We highly value volunteers who proactively identify opportunities for improvement, suggest fresh ideas, and contribute thoughtfully to organizational growth.

As the organization expands, experienced volunteers may also help onboard, mentor, coordinate, or lead incoming volunteers within their department or area of responsibility.

Question 10

Are volunteers trained or guided before contributing?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Volunteers are provided with onboarding materials, organizational guidance, and role-specific support to help them contribute effectively and feel aligned with Travel Through Trauma’s mission, values, and standards.

This may include trauma-informed care training, review of relevant Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), operational guidance, onboarding resources, shadowing opportunities, and ongoing communication with department leads or leadership team members. These systems are especially important for client-facing roles in order to help maintain consistency, professionalism, participant safety, and continuity throughout the program experience.

Volunteers are also introduced to the communication and operational platforms we use internally, including Slack, Google Workspace, and other organizational systems used for collaboration and project management.

Question 11

Can a volunteer leave their role at any time?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Volunteers may step down from their role at any time. However, because many positions involve ongoing operational responsibilities, collaboration, and in some cases direct participant support, we strongly encourage volunteers to communicate proactively and provide as much advance notice as reasonably possible.

For client-facing roles specifically, we ask volunteers to make a good-faith effort not to leave in the middle of an active participant program whenever possible, as sudden departures can be highly disruptive to participant trust, continuity, and overall program stability.

Additional expectations regarding volunteer transitions, notice periods, responsibilities, and departures are outlined in the Volunteer Agreement signed during onboarding.

Question 12

Can a volunteer be removed or let go from their role?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Travel Through Trauma reserves the right to remove volunteers from their role, with or without cause, in order to protect the organization, participants, team dynamics, operational integrity, and overall mission of the program.

Reasons for removal may include repeated lack of communication, failure to meet responsibilities or deliverables, inappropriate or unsafe behavior, confidentiality concerns, repeated unreliability, failure to follow organizational policies or procedures, or conduct that is misaligned with the organization’s values, expectations, or participant safety standards.

Additional details regarding volunteer expectations, policies, performance standards, confidentiality, communication, and termination are outlined in the Volunteer Agreement signed during onboarding.

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