Volunteer Portal - Ready for Life

RFL Volunteer Portal

Volunteers are at the heart of what we do. There is no higher impact opportunity: your time makes a tremendous difference in the lives of the former foster young adults we serve. Here you will find upcoming volunteer opportunities, important updates, team contact information, and self-guided training sessions and educational materials.

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Bob Estes and Saquan at his graduation - Copy

Volunteer Portal Menu

Volunteer Mandatory Training Modules

After attending a volunteer orientation, complete the following training modules and the knowledge check.

Once you are finished, please fill out the interests survey so we know where you’d like to volunteer!

Values & Code of Conduct Training

Confidentiality & Privacy Training

Signs of Child Abuse Training

Suicide Prevention Training

Trauma-Informed Training

Human Trafficking Training

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1. Which is the best example of proper documentation?

“Client seemed unstable, attention-seeking, and emotionally overwhelmed.”
“Client appeared manipulative and likely exaggerated the situation.”
“At 3:15 p.m., client stated, ‘I don’t feel safe going home.’ Staff member X was notified.”
“Client disclosed abuse and was clearly traumatized by it.”

2. A child has no visible injuries, but repeatedly witnesses severe domestic violence at home and has become extremely fearful, aggressive, and unable to focus. What is the best interpretation?

Since the child was not directly hit, it is not abuse.
This may reflect emotional abuse or mental injury. It should be taken seriously and reported to upper management.
It is mainly a school behavior issue.
The volunteer should address it only if the caregiver asks for help.

1. In a life-threatening situation, what should a volunteer do first according to protocol?

Notify RFL management.
Call 911.
Record a written document of the situation.
Try to counsel the person.

4. A youth says, “You can’t tell me what to do.” What response fits the training best?

“That’s true — I’m not here to control you. Let’s look at your options from here.”
“If you keep talking like that, I’ll need to get staff.”
“You don’t have to like the rules, but you do have to follow them.”
“I’m not telling you what to do, but there are program expectations.”

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5. Which action is specifically listed as something volunteers should avoid?

Offering choices
Using respectful language
Inviting youth to stay at your home or giving them money
Reporting safety concerns through the proper channel

6. Which statement is the most helpful response to someone expressing suicidal pain?

“You’re scaring me.”
“Other people have it worse.”
“I’m really glad you told me. You do not have to handle this alone. I'm here for you.”
“Promise me you won’t do anything.”

7. A young adult says, “Please don’t hang up — I’m scared of what I might do.” What is the best response?

Stay with them on the phone while texting 911.
Encourage them to call 988 and promise to check back in 10 minutes.
Ask enough questions to determine if the risk is real before escalating.
Tell them you can talk briefly but are not trained for crisis situations.

8. One participant repeatedly makes flirtatious sexual comments toward another who looks uncomfortable but does not object verbally. What is the best response?

Notify staff immediately because the conduct violates policy even without a direct complaint from the other person.
Wait for the second participant to explicitly say it is unwelcome.
Pull aside the first participant and ask them to be more careful.
Redirect the conversation and mention it only if it happens again.

9. A young parent loudly berates a child in front of others. What is the best volunteer approach?

Stay calm, avoid public shaming, and alert staff if intervention or monitoring is needed.
Step in immediately and correct the parent in front of the child.
Wait to see whether the child appears physically harmed.
Distract the child and avoid involving staff unless it happens repeatedly.

10. A toddler is repeatedly left near pills, biohazards, and sharp objects while the caregiver is distracted. What is the best interpretation?

This is a significant safety concern consistent with neglect and should be reported to DCF.
This may reflect poverty or stress, so it should only be addressed if injury occurs.
This is poor judgment but not necessarily reportable unless it is intentional.
This is mainly a parenting-skills issue rather than a safety issue.

11. A teen appears fearful, avoids answering for themselves, and keeps looking to an older companion who answers every question. What is the best response?

Quietly escalate the concern through the proper staff channel.
Ask the teen privately whether they are being trafficked.
Watch a little longer before involving anyone, since it could just be anxiety.
Ask the older companion directly about their relationship.

12. A youth hints they may be exchanging sex for a place to stay and asks you not to tell anyone. What is the best response?

Explain you cannot keep exploitation or safety concerns secret and involve the proper support.
Encourage the youth to stop immediately and give them your personal number.
Ask whether they are choosing it voluntarily before deciding whether to report.
Keep the conversation private unless a minor is directly involved.

13. A youth is distraught, hinting at suicide, and the volunteer feels unprepared. What is the best action?

Be honest that you are not a therapist, stay with the person, and bring in support immediately.
Stay calm and try to talk them out of it before contacting anyone.
Ask enough questions to decide whether the threat sounds real.
Tell them you care, but another staff member would handle this better.

14. You overhear a client telling another participant that they have a gun in their backpack “just in case”. What is the best response?

Ask them to leave it zipped away unless they become upset.
Tell staff immediately, because weapons are not allowed in the space.
Let it go since they disclosed it honestly.
Ask whether it is legal before deciding what to do.

15. A young quiet woman accompanied closely by a man discreetly looks at you, shows you her hand, tucks her thumb into her palm, and closes her fingers over it. What should you do?

Nothing. It is probably just a joke unless they say they are in visible danger.
Assume it is a silent signal for help. Stay calm, mentally take note of their appearance, notify staff discreetly, text "HELP" to 233733 (BEFREE), and try to keep the man safely distracted and engaged.
Ask them in front of whoever is nearby, “Are you being trafficked?”
Ignore it because hand signals are too unreliable to act on.

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