(Posted 2022 January)
Meet Julia Selah!
How long have you been volunteering?
I have been volunteering since I was 10 years old, joining neighborhood and school clean-up events with my friends several times a year. Once I was 16, I joined a candy striper team at a local hospital, distributing reading material and cheer to patients weekly.
My parents role modeled extreme gratitude and volunteerism to my brother and me. They were rescued at the end of WWII in the Black Forest, Germany, by U.S. soldiers. Subsequently, they were invited to the U.S. along with about 100 other refugees. My family and I have always been grateful for the many opportunities life in the U.S. offers us. I moved to Fairfax County in 1983 and have continued to live out the core value of volunteerism instilled by my parents.
How long have you held this role in Fairfax County?
I have been serving as a volunteer crisis counselor in the FACT (Forensic Assessment and Consultation Team) department since November 2018. I was assigned to that role in November 2018 by former DSVS volunteer coordinator Nadia Hoonan. I began year four last November.
Why volunteer? Why volunteer for this specific program?
I love living in Fairfax County and enjoy volunteering with the FACT Department to make the county a bit richer and safer than I found it. Being blindsided by domestic violence in my marriage, it is a topic, I am sad to say, with which I am very well acquainted. Reflecting back on my nursing and medical school education, sadly no lectures or reading material on domestic violence was covered.
How do you overcome the most challenging parts of volunteering?
Joining the cadre of volunteers who help the FACT team was intimidating to me initially only because of zero experience. My best advice is to just dive in, with an understanding that staff support is always available, including allowing the volunteer to shadow a staff member for as long as needed.
What’s the best part of volunteering? Share your most memorable experience.
Each time I have been called in I know I made life a bit better for the individual I was serving. Anxiety has been visibly reduced from the time I arrived and met the victim, to when we ended the visit.
What has been your favorite training? What did you like about it? What did you learn?
Interdisciplinary, in-person Tier 1 and Tier 2 trainings have always been my favorite. This allows us to interact with a variety of individuals in various roles and specialties.
What advice do you have for people who may be thinking about becoming a DSVS volunteer?
Rest assured that you will be warmly welcomed, adequately trained, and allowed to shadow a staff member until you feel comfortable being on your own. You will have no need to worry. I suggest exploring options which utilize and build upon your prior training, education, experience, strengths, and skills. Then, realize that staff may or may not assign you to the role you asked for.
What do you wish you could do more of as a volunteer?
I would love to help plan and participate in volunteer social activities, such as fall and spring picnics, perhaps even using social events as recruitment opportunities.
This article posting is part of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Services' Volunteer Voices monthly newsletter for current and potential volunteers. If you're not already a volunteer, learn how to get involved. Find out about upcoming trainings, volunteer trainings, happenings around the DSVS office and information about articles, books, media recommendations and more.
Learn more about the Domestic and Sexual Violence Services (DSVS).