Last year alone, Peace House provided 97 comprehensive services to sexual assault survivors and 1,386 hours of clinical therapy to children and adults affected by some kind of violence. It housed 176 people, and its 24/7 helpline received 1,759 calls. Overall, it reached 18,222 students, teachers a nd community members.  While the nonprofit does employ professionals, volunteers extend its reach. One hundred and seventy-five volunteers contributed their time and energy over the past year, not to mention all those who have volunteered for the more than 30 years Peace House has been improving lives. In fiscal year 2026, volunteers contributed 3,922 hours to the agency, delivering both direct and indirect support services. Volunteers who complete a 40-hour advanced training become certified to provide confidential services, which include hospital response teams, front desk personnel and staff at Peace House’s emergency shelter.  “They understand more than the average person (about) post-traumatic symptoms, the dynamics of violence and ethical and peer-reviewed, evidence-based methods to intervene and provide crisis intervention,” said Katherine Aguilera, Peace House’s chief strategy and impact officer.  The volunteers are skilled in assisting Peace House staff members in deescalation work, offering resources and referrals and helping people navigate various support systems, from hospitals to filing a police report. They often help within the hospital response team when a sexual assault occurs. As a comprehensive, trauma-informed care unit, Peace House volunteers and staff respond 24/7 to support anyone who has been sexually assaulted or has otherwise suffered violence, including human trafficking, the latter of which she said is quite prominent in resort areas like Park City and regions connected by interstate highways. As a result, Peace House collaborates with other agencies that specialize in trafficked survivors, such as the Asian Association of Utah, which sees its second-most referrals for traffic survivors stemming from Summit County, Aguilera said. “It’s equally important to remember that the ways that human trafficking occurs aren’t necessarily the ways that they’re portrayed in movies or shows. Maybe someone is being held to work without pay or is being trafficked by a family member or friend without having that term to guide what is happening,” she said. “I think that’s an important distinction that folks understand: It’s not Hollywood portrayals. Sometimes, it’s a little bit more insidious.” No matter what kind of violence people experience, Peace House offers wraparound care in addition to its clinical services. That includes case management, legal advocacy, healthcare advocacy, emergency shelter, transitional housing, children’s services and prevention and education services.  While volunteers complete advanced training, several already possess related professional experiences, ranging from legal to psychological. Peace House’s board also comprises volunteers with varied backgrounds, including legal and governance.  Other volunteers, who don’t go through advanced training, provide indirect services, spanning from picking up groceries and organizing the pantry and boutique to assisting with other service projects. For example, on Sept. 19, Rotary Twilight prepared meal kits for survivors. It may seem simple, but when people are fleeing their environments to save their life, it takes a toll on the nervous system and the ability to make otherwise everyday decisions, Aguilera said. “Going into a new environment and having to make a decision like, ‘What are we having for dinner? When am I going to feed my family? What are the healthy choices out there?’ can become overwhelming,” Aguilera said. “All of those decisions that you now have to make.”  Meal kits, which provide all the ingredients and recipes for balanced meals, eliminate at least one decision and stressor.  “The impact of that is amazing,” said Aguilera. Volunteers are not only the core of the Peace House, but also the root of it. When local community members saw that survivors of violence received little or no support, they launched Peace House as a grassroots effort. “We originate from volunteers, from people who understand the impact of coming together and putting our talents and our skills to work and improving conditions and support for the survivors and their families in our community,” she said. Overall, they allow Peace House to be as strategic as possible in using resources wisely. For example, front desk volunteers offer support and expertise to survivors who might be encountering Peace House for the first time. “Having someone who is aware of some of the key dynamics of violence and who can respond in a trauma-responsive way makes all the difference,” Aguilera said. “Then, they lead them to a staff member who can do an assessment and make safety plans with them. That helps us do our work more effectively, and it helps us be better stewards of our resources.” It also helps Peace House be creative and dedicate more time and energy to solving some of the difficult circumstances that many of the survivors are faced with.  “Volunteers help us keep pace with the need that we continue to see,” she said. “They also help us build out more quality services and redistribute resources to where we’re seeing the most need.” Of course, financial donations are also a form of volunteer support. Peace House’s website lists all monetary donations it receives.“The truth is the need continues to grow for our community. The amount of hours that we’re dedicating to supporting survivors have grown year over year,” Aguilera said. In the end, people who experience abuse are no different than anyone else in the community. “(Someday) we may be victims of violence and in need of the support that we’re giving out, so I think that the theoretical and overall impact is so important,” Aguilera said. “It’s really special when you see a group of people who are willing to dedicate their time, their energy and their talents to improving the conditions of our community.” Ultimately, Peace House acts as an essential pocket of hope, support and healing.“There’s a space for all of us in this movement, whether that is, ‘I’m able to write a check,’ or ‘I’m able to pick up groceries every week for the emergency shelter,’ or maybe, ‘I have additional time and emotional bandwidth to provide crisis intervention to a survivor,’” Aguilera said.  There isn’t just one way to address violence in our community, according to Aguilera.  “There are multiple ways, and they are all united by this mission to one day end domestic violence and sexual violence,” she said. “That’s why we’re here. So if that is something that you’re called to, there’s a place for you to give.” Whether it’s a donation or lending a hand during a donation drive, providing items for the holiday boutique or offering your talents, such as free haircuts or yoga classes or even pet therapy, a pathway to giving exists.  The post Peace House volunteers work to end domestic and sexual violence appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less