Welcome to the 2020 November 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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Dear DSVS Volunteers,
My name is Abby Picard and I started with DSVS in January in the new role of Hospital Accompaniment Specialist. I work with the Inova FACT Department and the DSVS Community Engagement Services Team to support patients receiving forensic exams for domestic and sexual violence.
When I talk to people about my job, they often ask how I am able to handle working with people who have experienced trauma. My response is always the same: While the work is difficult, and the stories I hear from survivors are intense, I am inspired by the strength and resourcefulness that I see from survivors and communities. I began my journey in this field as a volunteer because I felt drawn to this work, as I'm sure many of you have felt drawn to your own work as volunteers.
As DSVS volunteers, you are a part of a community of people who are willing to stand up and say sexual and domestic violence are not inevitable and renew our commitment to supporting survivors and ending violence for all. Every time you sign up for a volunteer shift, you are making an active choice to use your time to believe in a better community. You are making the choice to commit your time and energy to creating a community where survivors are heard and cared for with empathy and compassion.
I have had the privilege to meet and work with some of you in the past 9 months, both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. I am touched and inspired by your dedication and passion for your work, especially in this time of crisis. I look forward to continuing to work alongside you in supporting survivors and engaging our community in addressing and preventing sexual and domestic violence. Thank you all for the work you do.
Abby Picard
Inova FACT Department and the DSVS Community Engagement Services Team
“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.”
—Muhammad Ali
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.
Be Inspired by “RBG”
Ruth Bader Ginsburg was an extraordinary woman appointed associate justice of the Supreme Court by President Bill Clinton in 1993. A documentary, “RBG,” was created detailing her professional and private life. This documentary contains interviews with colleagues, children, grandchildren and childhood friends. These interviewees described RBG as brilliant, hard-working and a devoted mother and grandmother. In addition, she was described as a terrible cook; I guess you cannot be good at everything!
In this documentary, we also get to hear from RBG herself. I found her language to be powerful and insightful; her presentation felt heartwarming. RBG shared that she was greatly influenced by her mother; her mother taught her to be independent and lady-like (i.e., not being distracted by wasted emotions like anger and resentment).
Gloria Steinem (one of the people interviewed in this documentary) referred to RBG as a superhero because RBG fought for women’s rights and gender equality. RBG is a real-life superhero to many who have fought for gender equality. In the words of RGB, “gender-based discrimination hurts everyone.”
This documentary is not just inspiring and informative, it is also funny and entertaining. We get to see RBG watching and commenting on “Saturday Night Live” skits of herself and her work-out routine and sharing her collar collection; she had a collar for every occasion.
RBG was a powerhouse who gave me inspiration. This documentary will be on my “pick-me-up list” to watch on repeat when I need a boost. I hope you enjoy this film and feel as inspired as I did. —Andrea
Dianna Escobar, Hotline and Outreach Volunteer
"I have a strong belief that the program has changed a lot of families’ and individuals’ lives...I was always concerned and believed that everyone deserves to have a healthy relationship, feel safe in their own homes and have a great support system available for them."
Learn more about why Dianna volunteers with Domestic and Sexual Violence Services.
Roma Diseati, 5
Fawne Bellow, 12
Thomas Bartow, 17
Cheryl Stevens, 24
Donna Audritsh, 25
Joanne Spriggs, 26
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.
Webinars
Con Confianza: Entendiendo la Dinámica del Abuso de Pareja en Comunidades LGBTQ+
¿Apoyas a personas LGBTQ+? ¿Te gustaría aprender como mejor apoyar a sobrevivientes de violencia de pareja de nuestra comunidad? En este taller, vamos a conocer mejor las fortalezas, vulnerabilidades y barreras con cuales las personas LGBTQ+ sobrevivientes de abuso se enfrentan día a día, y a explorar como apoyarles de manera creativa y eficaz. Compartiremos historias para conocer nuestras necesidades únicas y ofreceremos herramientas para apoyar a lxs sobrevivientes LGBTQ+ con confianza.
The NW Network
Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020
3-4:30 p.m.
Evidence Is Power
Community-based agencies receive growing pressure to implement “evidence-based programs”--that is, programs that have been studied and deemed “effective” by researchers. But what is considered evidence? And how can community-based agencies build their own evidence of what works in their communities? This webinar will examine these questions and explore the many opportunities and challenges that agencies face when conducting research and evaluations in community settings. We will discuss strategies for agencies to maximize the utility and power of the data they collect.
The National LGBTQ Institute on IPV
Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020
3-4:30 p.m.
There are no quarterly trainings this month.
Please take a moment to log on to your Volunteer Management System (VMS) account and log your hours for the month of October. 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.