COME JOIN MTC!
Madison Tech Clinic has opened volunteer applications!
Are you:
- looking for a rewarding volunteer opportunity?
- skilled and/or comfortable with technology?
- passionate about helping at-risk, marginalized communities?
If so, read on to learn more about the volunteering opportunity at MTC, where you can use your skills to help safeguard the lives of domestic violence survivors.
Madison Tech Clinic (MTC) is an initiative by a group of students and faculty members at the University of Wisconsin–Madison to support survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence who are stalked, spied on, or harmed using technology. Our volunteers meet directly with survivors, remotely or in-person, to help survivors detect and prevent technology-related abuse.
Experiences from our clinic also help our research at UW to create a better understanding of tech abuse and advocate for laws that protect survivors.
Volunteering with MTC is an opportunity to:
- Join a community of friendly, supportive volunteer advocates!
- Receive training on domestic violence, technology-related abuse, and advocacy skills.
- Directly help domestic violence survivors deal with tech abuse.
- Contribute to cutting-edge research.
Please note: This volunteer role is unpaid.
Time commitment
To ensure we can safely support survivors, every volunteer has to complete a victim advocacy training by DAIS and a tech clinic training by MTC. This training takes approximately 30 hours and is offered in-person and via Zoom. Volunteers also spend time “shadowing” where you will listen in as more experienced volunteers help clients.
After you complete your training, we would expect you to be available for roughly 8 to 10 hours per month to meet with domestic violence survivors and attend clinic meetings.
Qualifications
We encourage applications from two types of volunteers: 1.those with strong computer science or technology-related qualifications, and 2.those who do not have a technical background but are comfortable navigating privacy settings and have other relevant skills.
All applicants should have:
- An understanding of basic computer security and privacy concepts, or a willingness to learn.
- The ability to explain technical concepts to people with little technical knowledge clearly, simply, and respectfully.
- Empathy, strong listening skills, and strong organizational skills.
- A commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, human rights, and being a team player.
Fluency in a language other than English (Spanish, Hmong, etc.) is a plus, but is not required.
We currently work with survivors in Dane County, and will slowly expand to other parts of Wisconsin. Although we prefer volunteers who are located in Dane county, you can still apply even if are based outside of Dane County. Click below and fill our application form to apply.