ECCAC Looking for Front Desk Volunteers at Both Centers

Both Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Centers (ECCAC) in Niceville and DeFuniak Springs are in need of front desk reception volunteers.

The front desks at both centers are staffed entirely by volunteers so that the paid staff can be free to assist the children and families through the process of healing. Volunteers are the first people the children and visitors see when they step into the centers.  These volunteers are responsible for meet and greets, monitoring children while parents and caregivers are meeting with staff, as well as baking cookies and answering phones. Volunteers are needed for all of the three shifts: 8 - 11 am, 11 am - 2 pm, and 2 - 5 pm. Those interested are required to be 18 or older, attend a training class, be fingerprinted and undergo a background check. Individual orientation appointments can be arranged.

Ana Michalzik, Volunteer and Event Coordinator, commented, “Our volunteers are integral to the overall success of the healing journey for children and their families that come to ECCAC. Barb Whitman is a great example of a dedicated volunteer. She volunteers twice a week at the DeFuniak Springs center along with her three special therapy dogs, Brylee, Bringlebells and Miracle.”

Whitman thought she was going to walk into an office atmosphere, but when she walked through the doors, she saw a child-friendly environment with bright colors, stuffed animals, toys, pictures, smiles and the smell of chocolate chip cookies.

She added, “ECCAC is a friendly, loving place which is just the opposite of what a child experiences in abuse. Being able to bring my Healing Paws therapy dogs gives a wonderful opportunity for the children to interact with the dogs and feel safe. To those contemplating volunteering, I say just do it. Come visit one of the Centers and see for yourself, there’s no greater investment one can make than to be a part of a child’s life, family and community to help make the world a more beautiful place for hurting children and their families.”

ECCAC provides services in a child-friendly environment to help identify, treat and support children in abusive situations, as well as helping to prevent child abuse through education and prevention programs. Their centers in Okaloosa County and Walton County house representatives from the Florida Department of Children and Families, Child Protection Team, State Attorney’s Office, local law enforcement, licensed mental health counselors, and ECCAC’s staff and volunteers. In ECCAC’s 23-year history, over 15,000 children have received more than 170,000 services at no cost.

For further volunteer information, contact Volunteer & Event Coordinator, Ana Michalzik, volunteer@eccac.org, or call her at 850-833-9237, Ext. 283.For further information, visit www.eccac.org, If abuse is suspected, call the anonymous Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE.                   

Photo Caption: ECCAC front desk volunteer, Barb Whitman, brings her therapy dogs with her to interact with the children and families. Pictured here is Miracle, a 9-year old Cocker Spaniel/King Charles Cavalier/Bichon mix, or a Cockerchon for short.