• Donate Now

Header Right

  • Home
  • Domestic Violence
    • Is This Relationship Abusive?
    • Types of relationships
    • Myths about domestic violence
    • Why Leaving is Hard
    • Safety Tips
    • Help Someone You Know
    • Additional Resources
  • Services
    • 24-Hour Hotline
    • Advocacy & Education
    • Legal Advocacy
    • Hospital Advocacy
    • Children’s Services
    • Emergency Family Shelter
  • About HAWC
    • Annual Corporate Partnerships
    • Our Mission
    • Leadership Team and Board of Directors
    • Our Funders
    • Celebrating 40 Years
    • Careers
  • Give Help Now
    • Wish List
    • Volunteer
    • Create Change
    • Help Someone You Know
    • Workplace Giving
    • Leave a Legacy
    • Walk for HAWC
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

HAWC

Helping abused women, children, men, and nonbinary people live free from violence and fear

Header Right

  • Donate Now
  • Home
  • Domestic Violence
    • Is This Relationship Abusive?
    • Types of relationships
    • Myths about domestic violence
    • Why Leaving is Hard
    • Safety Tips
    • Help Someone You Know
    • Additional Resources
  • Services
    • 24-Hour Hotline
    • Advocacy & Education
    • Legal Advocacy
    • Hospital Advocacy
    • Children’s Services
    • Emergency Family Shelter
  • About HAWC
    • Annual Corporate Partnerships
    • Our Mission
    • Leadership Team and Board of Directors
    • Our Funders
    • Celebrating 40 Years
    • Careers
  • Give Help Now
    • Wish List
    • Volunteer
    • Create Change
    • Help Someone You Know
    • Workplace Giving
    • Leave a Legacy
    • Walk for HAWC
  • Blog
  • Contact Us

Volunteer Spotlight: Bonnie Stafford, A Natural Advocate for Survivors

June 30, 2021 //  by Goodwin Suzanne

We are incredibly lucky to have many loyal volunteers who have long-supported HAWC’s mission. We would like to tell you about Bonnie Stafford, who has served as a Legal Advocate Volunteer at HAWC for approximately 15 years.

Bonnie started out volunteering in the Gloucester District Court, and now primarily assists clients applying for abuse prevention orders at the Salem and Lynn District Courts. She was inspired to get involved with HAWC many years ago because she was concerned by the rising rates of violence against women.

“I often felt powerless to do anything about it. I was looking for a way to help women who were being harmed,” Bonnie said.

Bonnie learned about HAWC’s Legal Volunteer program from Nicki Richon Schoel, a former staff person who is still heavily involved with HAWC through her work on the Gloucester Coalition for the Prevention of Domestic Violence. Though Bonnie, a retired teacher who also once worked in real estate and as a placement coordinator for a nanny agency, first began volunteering by answering our 24-hour hotline, she quickly discovered her passion for supporting clients in navigating the legal system.

“I found being a Legal Advocate was a natural fit for me. I’m a question-asker, and I am passionate about advocating for people in vulnerable situations,” Bonnie said.

HAWC Legal Volunteers not only need to be able to compassionately listen and help survivors articulate their circumstances in a way that will make them most successful in court; they also must navigate the court system and find answers to questions in what can be an intimidating and stressful environment.

“Helping clients to share their story can be difficult. When they come to court, they are often upset, scared and confused. Their lives might be really complicated as a result of the abuse,” Bonnie said. “You need to be able to ask questions while respecting someone’s privacy and help them feel empowered rather than more vulnerable.”

The process of applying for a protection order became further complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Local courts, HAWC, and many other social service agencies were forced to close public access and offer services remotely. Bonnie saw the challenge of helping survivors virtually apply for important protections and rose to the occasion.

Bonnie worked closely with HAWC’s Legal Services team to master the new process and needed to quickly learn new technology software to be successful. She expresses sincere gratitude to the HAWC team for always being available and supportive so that she can best serve survivors.

“Working with HAWC enriches my life. I enjoy the feeling I get from having really helped someone,” Bonnie said.

We thank Bonnie and all of our volunteers for their incredible support. HAWC volunteers are instrumental in HAWC’s ability to support survivors of domestic violence.

Are you interested in volunteering at HAWC?

We need volunteers like Bonnie to support clients in the local courts, answer our 24-hour hotline, assist with our Holiday Program, and complete office-based tasks. 

Visit hawcdv.org/volunteer or contact us at volunteers@hawcdv.org to learn more! 

Category: Blog, Newsletter

Newsletter after-entry

Want to support survivors?

Please make a contribution to help those who are experiencing abuse. Your support ensures that HAWC remains a lifeline for thousands of survivors annually.

Make a Gift

Newsletter after-entry

Want to support survivors?

Please make a contribution to help those who are experiencing abuse. Your support ensures that HAWC remains a lifeline for thousands of survivors annually.

Make a Gift

Previous Post: « Daughters of Darkness Virtual Festival a Big Success!
Next Post: Thank you to our Loyal Walkers! »

Footer

HAWC Locations

HAWC serves 23 cities on Massachusetts’ North Shore from the five central locations listed below.

  • Salem, MA 978-744-8552
  • Gloucester, MA 978-283-8642
  • Lynn, MA 781-592-9900
  • North Shore Medical Center 978-354-4383
  • For 24-hour support, call our hotline at: 1-800-547-1649
  • Para apoyo llama nuestra linea de 24 horas a 1-800-547-1649.

Follow HAWC

For up-to-date information on domestic violence awareness and opportunities for action, follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Stay in Touch

Join our mailing list and receive updates and news about HAWC.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Copyright © 1995–2023 HAWC · All Rights Reserved · Design and development by Sky Dog Technologies · Powered by Mai Theme