Welcome to the 2020 April 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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Happy April, everyone!
I’m writing these notes at a very busy time on the hotline. The Crisis Line Unit (to which I belong) is housed in the Crisis Line Center, #2704 in the Historic Court House. Right now we're following social distancing but later on, when that is no longer needed, if you are ever at DVAC and want to come by and see “Hotline Central,” please give a soft knock on our door and come on in.
In mid-March we added two new members to our Unit and Ara, Ana and I are excited to welcome them to our team. We look forward to adding our newest hotline volunteers to the schedule and having no vacancies on the Hotline Calendar. We are so very thankful for the dedication all our DSVS volunteers bring to their work and, as you know, there is no way we could serve our community the way we do without you. This month marks my 12th year serving as the co-hotline coordinator and I am so thankful for this opportunity and the fabulous, dedicated people I have worked with over these years.
Lynne Rowson
Co-Hotline Coordinator
The Fairfax County Department of Family Services is on Facebook! Follow us at @FairfaxCountyFamilyServices for news, events, tips, stories, training opportunities and more!
We support families and county residents of all ages and stages of life. Join our community and engage with us through social media. #FairfaxCountyFamilyServices
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.
Unbelievable
Netflix (2019)
A heartbreaking and powerful series based on the true story of a rape victim the police refused to believe, Unbelievable follows the life of Marie, an 18-year-old survivor from Washington State, who was raped in her apartment. A former foster child who has a history of acting up, Marie reports her assault to the police, who pressure her to share her story multiple times and almost immediately question her credibility. Marie is forced to recant her story and is charged with filing a false report. She is revictimized and traumatized by the very people who are supposed to help her. Three years later two much more sympathetic detectives in Colorado begin investigating a string of assaults with striking similarities to one another - and which they eventually learn mirror Marie’s initial report.
Unbelievable is a devastating look at criminal justice in a climate where three out of four rapes go unreported, often because victims fear they won’t be believed and their attackers will be free to rape again. The series is an important study in how families, friends and authorities can better support sexual assault survivors.
Meet Vic Batson!
"I have always been a huge proponent of volunteering. I have always believed we personally rise by lifting others. I’ve also tried to focus on happiness and self-renewal and have found the best way to both is by helping others." Read on to learn more about Vic Batson’s reasons and commitment to volunteering.
Nikita Dickey, 1
Ruchi Pandey, 1
Ana Ansari, 4
Debra (Debi) Carmel, 5
Jessica Adkins, 7
Christina Rawls, 8
Michelle Mueller, 10
Leigh Claypool, 12
Caroline Rankin, 12
Mercedes Alonso, 21
Maci Nordone, 23
Ubaid Saleem, 24
Linda Moore, 26
Paula Tobon, 26
Kim Hamlett, 27
Amanda Goldsmith, 29
Active DSVS volunteers may sign up for training. If you are interested in a training and not currently volunteering with DSVS, please contact Debra Ranf or visit the VOICES web page for current volunteer opportunities.
Supporting LGBTQ Survivors of Sexual Assault
Tuesday, Apr. 14, 2020
3-4:30 p.m.
Webinar
Registration is required.
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
6-8 p.m.
This meeting will focus on sexual violence and will be led by Angie Acosta, Sexual Violence Outreach Specialist, and Ariel Ward, FACT Department Forensic Nurse.
Please take a moment to log on to your Volunteer Management System (VMS) account and log your hours for the month of January. Please also log any time you spent on training under “volunteer training.” If you do not see this selection under your opportunities, please email Debra Ranf, and she will log on to add it to your account.
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Please enter your hours for each day you volunteered and not as a lump sum.
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If you need to log hours for a previous month, please send email Debra to let her know so she can be aware of the entry and expedite the approval process.
Check out past issues of Volunteer Voices.