Welcome to the 2021 March 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,
I started working with DSVS as a Victim Advocate in June 2019. As a part of the Advocacy Team with DSVS, I work with other county advocates as well as those from The Women’s Center as a part of the Domestic Violence Action Center (DVAC) to provide safety planning, court accompaniment, referrals, and short-term case management to victims/survivors.
Although I have now been with DSVS for almost 2 years, there was a big change when I was 10 months into the role and COVID-19 lockdowns started. Learning to support clients in a solely virtual environment was an adjustment both professionally and personally. When I previously had a physical barrier between my workplace and my personal life, I was not as intentional with integrating self-care in my everyday life. Telework pushed me to incorporate different methods into my schedule and it also made me even more grateful for our volunteers.
You all brought DSVS into your everyday lives despite COVID-19 and chose to be part of this work during your personal time. There are so many things we are able to do because of you. Explore how you can become more intentional with self-care before and after your shifts and discover what works for you! Self-care is not one size fits all.
Outside of DSVS, I enjoy keeping up with my TV shows (CW superhero shows and “The Bachelor”) and streaming ones I never had a chance to watch before quarantine (“Schitt’s Creek,” “Bob’s Burgers,” “Superstore”). I try to take every opportunity I can to spend time outside or take a virtual workout class if the weather is bad. I also consider myself a connoisseur of mac n’ cheese, grilled cheese sandwiches, the color green, and random facts about giraffes.
I look forward to meeting and learning more about all of you!
Debra Miller
Victim Advocate
3 Reasons Self-Care is So Hard
Your definition of self-care is an act of pampering yourself. You probably even have self-care on your to-do list. But if you’re like most of us, it is far down that list, behind family, friends and work.
In fact, consistently practicing self-care often feels really hard. Learn three reasons why self-care may be challenging.
Racism is endemic to our country, though it is recognized by some and denied by others. There are too many examples to reference throughout our country’s history, but a few infamous examples that remain permanently etched in our collective memory include slavery, internment camps, the Holocaust, and, in January 2021, the insurgence upon our nation’s capital. Recognizing the different forms racism can take is important for us to bring about change. Learn about three types of racism.
“Volunteers are love in motion!”
—Unknown
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.
Community Engagement Services
They might not describe themselves as such, but Domestic and Sexual Violence Services’ Community Engagement Services (CES) team is the engine that drives DSVS.
We chatted with Debra Ranf, Community Engagement Services supervisor, about what CES does.
Learn more through our conversation with Debra.
“Headspace Guide to Meditation”
We have all heard for years that the practice of meditation is good for our physical and mental health. With technological advances, we have had access to several apps and websites that help teach and guide people through various meditation practices. One of the most popular meditation apps has been Headspace, a free app you can download to your device that provides various guided meditations.
More recently, Netflix has released an eight-episode series, “Headspace Guide to Meditation,” based on the popular app. Let’s face it: We are all spending a lot of extra time on Netflix these days. Why not take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about the life changing practice of meditation?
“Headspace Guide to Meditation” offers short (all clock in around 20 minutes) episodes exploring various meditation techniques. In addition, each episode includes the opportunity to experience and practice a meditation based on the principles shared in the episode. Furthermore, each episode has a different theme with an accompanying practice to include everything from gratitude, healing anger, letting go, and practicing kindness--to name a few. Take advantage of this series; this is one Netflix marathon you will feel proud of bingeing, and you’ll be much more at peace after watching. Namaste!
—Jen Perkins
Meet Alli Somasunduram, Administrative Volunteer
“I first started this to give back to the community, but realized the real reason was to be a great role model for my children,” said Alli. Her plan is working.
“One of the best moments I had volunteering was this past summer. I had to organize a bunch of brochures at home and my kids stepped in to help me. It was nice that they learned a little about what I do, and I could see they were interested.” Learn more about Alli’s experience volunteering for DSVS.
Maryn Hadley, 3
Stacy Riley, 9
Nora Bauer, 10
Myriam Kunzi, 21
Emily Sachdev, 23
Dianna Escobar, 26
Marybeth Turner, 26
There are no educational resources this month.
QUARTERLY TRAININGS
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 February. 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.