Welcome to the 2025 December issue of Volunteer Voices, a monthly newsletter for current and potential Domestic and Sexual Violence Services (DSVS) volunteers.
In this Issue:
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Hello, amazing volunteers! My name is Hilda Andrade, and I have recently joined Domestic and Sexual Violence Services as a crisis line specialist. I began my journey in this field in 2018 when I began working as a full-time bilingual support specialist for the National Sexual Assault Hotline at RAINN. My experience at RAINN made me realize the strong passion I had for helping others being the reason I pursued my bachelor’s degree in social work. I spent over 7 years working at RAINN and am more than excited for the opportunity to continue doing work I am extremely passionate about at DSVS. During my years at RAINN, I met many amazing, kindhearted, and dedicated volunteers. It’s incredible to see how volunteers give so selflessly, something I truly admire!
Aside from my work at RAINN, I have dedicated about 5 years working with immigrant and refugee children. I began my journey in the field as a family support coordinator working at the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, providing home study and post-release services to children and their families. I then moved into the role as a children’s services specialist at the U.S. Conference for Catholic Bishops in their Migration and Refugee Services department. During my time there, I was overseeing four programs across the U.S. that provided home study and post-release services to immigrant and refugee children. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I have two children that play soccer; therefore, I spend lots of my time at the soccer fields, which I don’t mind. My family is big on soccer. The picture shared was during an AC Milan vs. Barcelona game in Las Vegas. I am also big on self-care and enjoy beach days, hot yoga, vineyards, long walks, and traveling when possible. I completed my first 5k this year and plan to continue training to hopefully complete a half-marathon next year. (Tips on running a first half marathon are welcomed!)
I admire the dedication volunteers put into the work you do and am more than grateful to be joining such an amazing team. Looking forward to all I will learn from each and every one of you!
Hilda Andrade
Crisis Line Specialist
Finding the Missing Ingredient in Self-Care
When we think of self-care, we often think of rewarding ourselves with spa treatments or perhaps going on a retreat. Those activities are good, but they often don’t go far enough and sometimes are rewards for neglecting to take care of ourselves. This is according to Portia Jackson-Preston, founder and CEO of Empowered to Exhale, an organization that helps create a culture of sustainable wellness. Self-care, she says, should be a holistic practice—one where you ask, “how can I best take care of myself?” Learn more.
Maybe someone you care about has told you they are experiencing domestic violence. Or you see signs of abuse in their relationship. You may wonder what to say to help—or if you should say anything at all. That’s OK. Domestic violence is a difficult subject to talk about both for people experiencing the violence and those who care about the victims. But reaching out can be a lifeline to someone who probably feels fear, shame, or embarrassment. Here are practical, safety-focused tips for helping a victim of domestic violence.
This time of year, many of us prioritize our families, friends, and communities. The end of the year is a time where people often come together to help strangers or do something kind for their neighborhood. However, it is also a time where people can feel especially isolated, which is why it is so important to build connection. Volunteers at DSVS do this throughout the year, helping communities thrive and providing empathy and support to individuals they have never met. During the “season of giving,” watch this TED Talk about how helping others and experiencing human connection within our communities can make us happier: Helping Others Makes Us Happier--But It Matters How We Do It.
“Volunteers know there’s a silver lining; they see it every day.”– Anonymous
Domestic and Sexual Violence Services’ podcast, Unscripted: Conversations about Sexual and Domestic Violence, is real talk on tough topics! Stay in the know with these biweekly discussions. If you have ideas for topics you’d like to hear addressed on Unscripted, email them to DSVS’ communications specialist Kendra Lee.
Meet Anastasia Sadowski, DSVS Hotline Advocate and Volunteer Co-facilitator for the Anger and Domestic Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program (ADAPT) Volunteer
“I’ve gained a deeper understanding of the complexities of domestic and sexual violence, stalking, and human trafficking the resources available, and—most importantly—how to empower victims to make informed choices that honor where they are in their healing process,” says Anastasia Sadowski, DSVS Hotline Advocate and Volunteer Co-facilitator for the Anger and Domestic Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program (ADAPT) volunteer. “While it can be hard to hear the fear in a hotline caller’s voice, it is amazing to provide support and resources and a listening ear and at the end of the call hear a little hope in the victim’s voice or hear them say they have received helpful information.” Read more.
Each newsletter will include this section to help share reviews, spotlight the people who support Domestic and Sexual Violence Services, recognize birthdays and list upcoming trainings and meetings.
“Adolescence” is a Netflix limited series focused on the murder of a young girl, Katie, in Liverpool, U.K., where the prime suspect is one of her classmates, a 13-year-old boy, Jamie. The series explores themes of gender, innocence, culture, and violence. This is part three of a four-part media review where we will dive into each episode.
Community engagement volunteer Lilia Gashin manned the DSVS table at the Time to Fly Foundation’s domestic violence event in October.