At Clove Alliance, volunteers are the heart of our mission to support survivors of sexual violence. They provide hope, healing, and advocacy to those in crisis, and support our organization in countless ways. One of our most dedicated volunteers is Jeanne Brown, a Crisis Hotline Advocate who has been a comforting voice and steadfast supporter for local survivors for 7 years. Her journey to volunteering and growth in the role inspires us all.

A Helper at Heart

Jeanne has always been drawn to helping others. She works for Easterseals Jumpstart, a program that provides free home visits with families to foster the healthy development of little ones from birth to 3 years old and identify potential delays as early as possible. When she started the position in 2018, she enrolled in Clove Alliance’s Sexual Violence Crisis Intervention Training because, like many professionals, she wanted to be prepared to help when she came across survivors in her work. What Jeanne learned during the training inspired her to take the next step—becoming a Crisis Hotline Advocate. Since then, she has been a dedicated volunteer and spark of hope for survivors, regularly covering two hotline shifts each week.

The Power of Being Present

For Jeanne, volunteering is about more than answering calls and showing up with a packet of information at the ER—it’s about truly listening to survivors. “They need to be heard. Want to be heard, should be heard. If all you are worried about is filling out paperwork, you can’t be there for them.” Clove Alliance volunteers know how to show up fully and be there in times of dire need.

Jeanne recalls a hospital visit where a young survivor’s grandmother told her, “She just wants someone to know what happened…that she is being heard.” That moment reaffirmed Jeanne’s belief in the power of being present. She replied, “We are here for you. I am here for you.” Jeanne knows these words can make all the difference to someone in crisis. She saw it firsthand when sexual violence hit close to home. 

Because of her experience helping others, Jeanne knew exactly what to do when she learned that a family member had been assaulted: call Clove Alliance. She saw how the organization wrapped around the survivors, and also their loved ones. This personal connection reinforced Jeanne’s commitment to showing up for others facing similar pain.

Lessons Learned and Strength Gained

Volunteering as a Crisis Hotline Advocate has shifted Jeanne’s perspective on supporting survivors. No two calls are ever the same, but she has grown more confident in navigating different situations. Through training and experience, she has learned how to ask the right questions and provide support without forcing survivors to relive their trauma. “It’s about letting the survivor lead what they want to share,” she explains.

The emotional toll of the work is real, but Jeanne has developed healthy ways to manage it. She uses her 30-minute drive to and from the hospital as a way to prepare and decompress after hospital visits.” Since I have a helper personality, I know I have to mindfully set boundaries. After the drive home, I am ready to leave it at my doorstep.” She also credits the support system at Clove Alliance—both fellow volunteers and staff—for helping her grow. “I didn’t have a lot of calls early on, but my neighbor, who was also a volunteer, helped me understand my role,” she shares. “Now I do that for newer volunteers. The Clove staff is always ready to support you, too.”

Why Others Should Volunteer

Jeanne is passionate about encouraging others to step up and join Clove Alliance’s mission. “Just do it. Give it a try. No one is going to be upset if you change your mind,” she says. She especially appreciates the flexibility of being a Crisis Hotline Advocate and thinks others will find it relatively easy to fit into their lives. Jeanne likes that she can serve while also going about her daily routine—as long as she is ready to jump on a call. She is proud to add that “Everyone who’s shared their Clove Alliance experience with me says they’ve always felt taken care of.” She has too. When sexual violence impacted her family, she needed to take a break from volunteering. Clove Alliance supported her fully and welcomed her back with open arms when she was ready. “That’s how you build a good agency – you are there for people no matter what—and volunteers are part of that,” Jeanne affirmed. 

She underscores the importance of the ongoing training and assistance that’s provided to ensure volunteers feel prepared and empowered, too. Of her own experience, she says, “All the staff and other volunteers have always been supportive, even as I was learning. I can always ask questions, get guidance, and improve.”

Join Jeanne in Making a Difference

Clove Alliance is continually in need of compassionate people to support survivors and strengthen the movement to end sexual violence. Whether you want to be a Crisis Hotline Advocate like Jeanne, help out at events, lend a hand in the office, or all the above, your time and effort can make a real impact!

Volunteer Opportunities:

• 24/7 Crisis Hotline Advocate: Provide crisis support on the phone and medical advocacy at the local emergency rooms.
• Events and Special Projects Advocate: Assist with agency events, host booths at fairs, and help with outreach efforts.
• Front Desk Advocate: Help with front desk coverage at Clove Alliance’s main office in Kankakee.

Learn more about volunteer roles here. All volunteers prepare to serve by completing a 40-hour Crisis Intervention Training and attending quarterly meetings that keep them stay connected and up to date.

Next Training: April 28 – May 21, 2025
The next training runs from April 28th to May 21st, on Monday and Wednesday evenings, 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM, and two Saturdays (May 3rd and May 17th) from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM. The training is supplemented with 12 hours of independent study. CEUs are available.

Visit the training page to learn more and apply. If you have questions about volunteering or the training, contact [email protected] or call 815.932.7273.

Jeanne Brown’s story is a testament to the power of listening, believing, and supporting survivors. By joining Clove Alliance, you too can be the person who says, “We are here for you. I am here for you.”

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If you share Jeanne’s passion for helping survivors but can’t serve as a volunteer right now, please consider backing our mission with a donation today.