Applications are now available for Freedom House's Volunteer Training Class, which begins Tuesday, January 24, and runs consecutive Tuesdays from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. until May 5. The deadline to enroll is January 17. Applications are available at Freedom House, 440 Elm Place, Princeton, IL 61356, by calling (815) 872-0087 or by visiting www.freedomhouseillinois.com for further information. There is no cost to attend this class, and Freedom House will supply all training materials.

Upon graduation from this class, successful candidates will receive a certificate that enables them to work/volunteer for Freedom House or any Illinois Certified Domestic Violence Professional (ICDVP)-certified domestic/sexual violence service agency in the State of Illinois. Direct service trained volunteers have the opportunity to answer the crisis hotline, serve as medial advocates responding to three area hospitals, provide legal advocacy at the courthouses with clients, assist in both children's and adult's support groups, transport clients or provide child care. Direct service volunteers must also agree to support the mission and goals of the agency as well as being a mandated reporter of child and elder abuse.

There are no degree, professional, status, age, race, religion or other requirements for volunteers of Freedom House. All we request is that volunteers sincerely want to help in the effort to serve victims of domestic violence and their children and victims of sexual assault and abuse and their significant others. Current Freedom House clients are exempt from participating in this class for at least one year from their last date of service.

The mission of Freedom House is to provide compassionate, confidential, free services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. For more information, call Stephanie Cartwright at (815) 872-0087, Ext. 224.