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Approximately 11,000+ survivors of torture live in San Diego County. Would you like to help?

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Get Involved

SURVIVORS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. All donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. You can download the Federal IRS form here. Our current IRS 990 is publicly available at Guidestar.

Heal

SURVIVORS recruits mental health professionals, physicians, dentists, massage therapist, and acupuncturists on a volunteer or reduced fee schedule to help clients through their trauma.

“I have often thought I should pay to do this work. Through my experience with SURVIVORS, I have witnessed both the best and worst of humankind. The depth of the trauma I have heard recounted in stories is surpassed by the strength and spirit I see in each survivor. Each client I have worked with has stretched my heart in ways that no other work has.”

– SURVIVORS’ Therapist

To offer your professional services please contact our clinical director, Dr. Margaret Higgins. If you are a mental health professional, download and complete a contract psychotherapist application to submit to Dr. Higgins.

All professional volunteers, once screened, must complete a W-9 form.

Interpret

Torture experiences are often referred to as being “too much for words” or “inexpressible.” The atrocities, and the lingering effects, are beyond the scope of the common vocabulary.

“Through interpretation I play my small role in relieving the intense distress of survivors of torture. I cannot grasp the motives for torture, but I can summon my experiences to help heal the effects of it.”

– Turkish Language Interpreter

SURVIVORS’ clients come to us from all over the geographic and linguistic map. They speak Acholi, Amharic, Chaldean (Aramaic), Dinka, Khmer, French, Russian, Somali, Spanish, and many other languages. Many survivors speak two, three, even four languages fluently, but they need the skills of a trained and compassionate interpreter to lend them a voice in English.

Word by word, story by story, our interpreters, clinicians, doctors, and staff are together re-building the hope and re-creating the community that survivors and their families need to feel whole and healed. Our interpreters allow the “unspeakable” to become a narrative, and that narrative to become a force against torture.

More than 45 languages are represented in SURVIVORS’ interpreter network. All interpreters receive an orientation to our organization, and a modest hourly payment for the professional work they do. This hourly fee helps to pay tribute to the importance and difficulty of the work.

If you are interested in become an interpreter for SURVIVORS, please fill out an application and contact Associate Clinical Director Crystal Green for more information. All interpreters must also complete a W-9 form, which can be found here.

Volunteer

SURVIVORS is a small nonprofit with a big mission, so volunteers are essential to our success. There are many opportunities if you would like to lend your time and skills to become part of our healing community. Applications are available in Doc Format and PDF formats.

“While it is overwhelming to look at all the unjust in the world I am heartened by the work of SURVIVORS because I see good people making a significant difference, one smile at a time.”

– SURVIVORS’ Therapist

Please e-mail applications to Charlene at cpena@notorture.org. Thank you for your interest.

Opportunities for Professionals

Know a lot about…

Computer Technology? Help analyze needs of organization, modify system to meet needs, advise senior staff, enhance staff computer skills, update IT manuals.

Human Resources?  Help with the board of directors’ board development and personnel committee.

Marketing?   Help with fund development and special events.

Finance?  Help with the board of directors’ finance committee or the investment subcommittee.

Law? Use your legal expertise to support our organization. Help with a one-time project or provide ongoing guidance by serving on a committee of the board of directors.

Friendship Circle

Befrienders are volunteers who provide social support to SURVIVORS’ clients. The specific nature of the friend relationship depends on the needs and interests of both the client (friend) and the volunteer. It may include meeting for conversation, sharing a meal, taking a walk, or accompanying the client to a free event. It may also include helping the client figure out how to meet basic needs, connect with community resources, or learn to use the bus system.

The goals of the Friendship Circle are: 1) to help build clients’ self-esteem and empower them to live independently in their new communities and 2) to build awareness about survivors and give local community members an opportunity to help address their needs. The recommended time commitment is 6-8 hours a month for 6 months.

Read the story of one befriender.

Volunteer Driver

Volunteer drivers provide rides for SURVIVORS’ clients who can’t drive or lack the funds or ability to use public transportation. This program allows clients to keep essential appointments for counseling, medical care, and other services. Most of these appointments occur during weekday work hours. Volunteer drivers’ help clients feel comfortable by providing a reliable and friendly environment during their rides, and may sometimes assist or advocate for clients during an appointment.

Newsletter Folding Party

Four times per year SURVIVORS holds a newsletter folding party to prepare the most recent issue of The Survivor for mailing. Volunteers help stamp, seal and address newsletters. Snacks and good company are provided.

Advocate

Torture Victims Relief Act

Prior to the Torture Victims Relief Act (TVRA), the types of specialized treatment needed by survivors of torture had been available in only a few specialized centers. The need for treatment for the many survivors of torture living throughout this country far exceeded available facilities. Many service providers were unaware of the special needs of this population.

TVRA met this critical need through funding that allowed the expansion and development of the kinds of programs needed to assist these victims to overcome the effects of the torture they have suffered and to live satisfying and productive lives in this country. TVRA authorizes U.S. contributions to treatment centers, both in the United States and around the world, for persons who suffer from the mental and physical anguish of having been tortured.

The United States contributes directly to domestic centers through the Department of Health and Human Services and to overseas centers through the Agency for International Development, and indirectly, through Department of State contributions to the United Nations Voluntary Fund for the Victims of Torture. Advocate for the TVRA now!

Assisting survivors of torture does not end the curse of torture. SURVIVORS continues to shine a spotlight on this human rights violation wherever it occurs in our mission to abolish torture worldwide.