No to Abuse, the Pahrump Family Resource Center and Family to Family Connection are accepting applications for volunteers and will hold a volunteer training session starting March 1.

"Volunteers are the backbone of nonprofits," said Lisa Lynn Chapman, executive director. "We have several aspects of our programs that need volunteers to make the programs work."

A variety of programs including coordinating donations and food banks, helping the No to Abuse crisis line, general office assistance and assisting with child parenting classes, playgroups etc. need volunteers.

One new program being developed by No to Abuse is a crisis response team. This core of volunteers will provide emotional support and crisis intervention for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Different programs require varied amounts of training. For the crisis line and crisis response, volunteers need to attend 40 hours of training. For non-victim contact positions, less training is needed. All volunteers must pass a background check.

Training will be held Saturdays during March.

Nevada Outreach Training Organization, the parent organization for No to Abuse, Pahrump Family Resource Center and Family to Family Connection, is also looking for board members.

For more information call 751-1118, 727-3885 or 751-5898.