Welcome to the 2020 June 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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I am listening a Spanish-speaking woman named “Maria” tell her story. She talks about her rape in Mexico and the death threats in Guatemala that pushed her to leave her native country, friends and family to find safety.
Her journey to counseling services with DSVS was long and she had many questions: “Will I be welcomed by DSVS?” “Will I be discriminated against by DSVS?” She stated she felt cared for and supported in her first session. But now it is time to end the session.
I review the referral list and tell her she can call the DSVS hotline at any time. I observe her facial muscles become tense and her eyes lose their relaxed gaze. I “see” the same questions arising in her mind: “Will I be welcomed by the DSVS hotline person?” “Will I be discriminated against by the DSVS hotline person?” I quickly lean forward and say, “The hotline workers are mainly DSVS volunteers who gladly await your call.” I emphasize the word “volunteers.” In a second, I note her facial muscles and gaze relax as she repeats the word “volunteer” to me with a “yes” nod. I nod back “yes.”
The nodding back and forth symbolizes the universal understanding that, without any exchange of money, DSVS volunteers’ draw their source of energy and sustenance from one of the highest spiritual laws--“We are all One.” It’s the reason Maria was able to relax so quickly once I explained volunteers receive no financial compensation.
DSVS volunteers operate from this pure energetic force that “We are all One.” The symbolic meaning of the work from DSVS volunteers is that what happened to you matters. As spiritual teacher Robert Ohotto puts it, the greatest lesson we can discern from this COVID-19 time period is we breathe the same air and are all interconnected.
DSVS volunteers remind us, with each minute of the time they donate, that “We are all One.”
Thank you, DSVS volunteers, for the variety of tasks you perform on behalf of Fairfax County survivors. In addition to managing the hotline, our volunteers perform administrative tasks, provide advocacy, lead groups and much more! We are most grateful for your support and dedication to Fairfax County. Your volunteerism reminds us “We are all One” and inspires DSVS staff to continue our work and deepen our own commitment.
Erin Salisbury LCSW
DSVS Counselor
Though Fairfax County’s office buildings currently are closed to the public, DSVS volunteers can still help answer the Domestic and Sexual Violence 24-Hour Hotline. We are also still providing hospital accompaniment via the phone. If you have questions about your role during the pandemic, contact Lynne Rowson or Ara Jo (Hotline) and Angela Acosta (Hospital Accompaniment).
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.
On October 10, 2017, the New Yorker magazine published an article titled “From Aggressive Overtures to Sexual Assault: Harvey Weinstein’s Accusers Tell Their Stories.” Ronan Farrow is the investigative journalist behind that piece, and he spent months interviewing victims and investigating the many allegations against Harvey Weinstein. On November 26, 2019, Farrow launched the limited series podcast “Catch and Kill.”
In this riveting 10-part podcast Farrow delves deeper into his investigative process and his journey to support the voices of those who were voiceless for too long. This podcast sheds light on the systems that protected Weinstein, and the courageous people who worked to finally bring forward decades of abuse and violence. Throughout the course of the 10 episodes, listeners get the opportunity to hear from those who aided Farrow in his investigation, including powerful firsthand accounts by several of Weinstein’s victims.
Meet Fawne Bello!
"Volunteering in this capacity may at times be the most gratifying part of your day." Learn more about Fawne Bello's reasons for and commitment to volunteering.
Patricia Everhart 5
Jamie Richardson Hamilton 9
Katherine Leon 10
Faduma Nur 12
Julia Selah 12
Sonia Haro 13
Heather Iyer 17
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.
Working with Immigrant Survivors of Domestic and Sexual Violence
Thursday, June 4
1-2 p.m.
Enhancing Services to Male Survivors Series: Changing the Narrative
Wednesday, June 24
2-3:30 p.m.
Domestic Violence and Pets
Wednesday, August 19
3-4:30 p.m.
Virtual Volunteer Quarterly Meeting
Tuesday, June 23
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. Sign-up to join the meeting.
Please take a moment to log on to your Volunteer Management System (VMS) account and log your hours for the month of May. 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.