(Posted 2023 October)
Meet Maria Sayrs, Hotline Volunteer
Tell us a little about yourself. What is your professional background?
I am originally from Peru and came to the United States as an adult in the process of a divorce. I went to a university in my country and completed a degree in psychology. In Peru, you don’t always get an opportunity to work in the field of your degree, so I became a teacher. With my background as a teacher and my own personal experience with emotional abuse, I came to the U.S. and worked in a clinic as a counselor and at Walt Witman as an HIV health educator, which also included groups that focused on domestic violence. I later did some community service work with individuals who were disabled. I worked in a group home until retirement. In an effort to give my time to something close to my heart, I signed up for the hotline with Domestic and Sexual Violence Services.
What are some of your hobbies and interests?
I love plants and gardens, and I’m learning more about that. I love to dance and did ballet as a child. I also enjoy spending time with family and plan to visit my mom in Peru soon.
How long have you been volunteering? What led to your initial desire to volunteer and serve others?
I’ve been a DSVS volunteer since 2015. I always wanted to help people in my own community. I believe in prevention and education.
What interested you in volunteering with Fairfax County’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Services?
The Latino community needs more support and information. I believe that as a volunteer, I am able to support my community more. I also volunteer in other counties doing similar work on a hotline. I believe we can all do something to improve the community and share our time and expertise.
What is the most challenging part of volunteering? How did you overcome this challenge?
Experiencing domestic violence has helped me understand it better. But sometimes the stories are hard. I’m learning more each day. With English as my second language, I find myself having to sometimes ask callers to repeat what they’ve just shared so I can capture the whole story. I always apologize for this and also share that this will hopefully help me provide better service to them.
What’s the best part of volunteering? Share your most memorable experience.
My most memorable experience was in another volunteer role at another agency. I had a call with a male caller who had experienced domestic violence. He was upset because his partner had not disclosed his health status, and he was on the verge of ending his life. I’m grateful he trusted us to call, and we were able to get him the help we needed. But like the DSVS hotline, every call is different, and we do our best. Knowing I’m doing something to help someone is the best part.
What has been your favorite training? What did you like about it? What did you learn?
A while ago, I took a training on tech abuse. The tools to recognize and ideas to help protect clients are really helpful in safety planning!
What are your three greatest strengths? How have you been able to display and use these strengths when serving others?
I am a great listener, I have patience, and I speak another language, all of which I regularly use on the hotline!
What advice do you have for people who may be thinking about becoming a DSVS volunteer?
Know your motivation to do this work. We need more people in the community who know how to recognize domestic violence so they can help families and communities.
What do you wish you could do more of as a volunteer?
I try to do as much as I can, and for now, that is OK.
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).