Welcome to the 2023 November issue of Volunteer Voices, a monthly newsletter for current and potential Domestic and Sexual Violence Services (DSVS) volunteers.

In this Issue:

Table of Contents
Notes from the Staff Self-Care Corner: Self-Care after Trauma Domestic and Sexual Violence Services Division Director Toni Zollicoffer Tapped for State Advisory Committee TED Talk: Learning to Be Grateful Can Increase Happiness Quotables Program Spotlight: Advocacy Services Join the Conversations! A Day in the Life: Debra Miller	Reviews: “Dear Child” Raising My Voice: Shravani Bojja, ADAPT Volunteer Help Families Prepare for the Holidays Birthdays Test Your Brain Educational Resources Make a Note! Parting Shot

 

As I reflect on 2023, I am thankful for the meaningful work we do in Domestic and Sexual Violence Services. Through our connections on the hotline, accompaniments in hospitals and court rooms, therapeutic sessions in counseling and treatment groups, completing tasks in the office, and sharing our mission, vision, and services in communities and professional settings, we have countless opportunities to impact the lives of others every single day. What a gift!

As we begin the month of gratitude, I’d like to express my immense gratitude for our dedicated volunteers. How you serve who we serve is incredible and appreciated! DSVS is stronger because of your dedication and commitment, and our little hearts are immensely grateful for your big ones.

We hope you know we mean it when we say we cannot do what we do without you!

Tanisha Cox
Volunteer Manager

 

Self-care is about taking steps to feel healthy and comfortable. Whether an incident just happened or took place decades ago, self-care can help you cope with the short- and long-term effects of a trauma like sexual assault.

Check out these tips to exercise self-care after experiencing trauma.

 

 

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin appointed DSVS Division Director Toni Zollicoffer to the Advisory Committee on Sexual and Domestic Violence, which is charged with planning and carrying out programs and initiatives to improve the functioning and effectiveness of the criminal justice system. Find out more about Toni’s latest accomplishment.

 

 

 

 

“It's not about getting what you want, it's about wanting what you've got.” –“Soak up the Sun” Penn State Berks Associate Professor of Chemistry Ike Shibley quotes this Sheryl Crow song to anchor this TEDTalk about how learning to be grateful can increase happiness. “Cultivating gratitude,” he says, “is a daily thing,” and that’s very apropos during this Thanksgiving season.

 

 

“I have found that the only thing that does bring you happiness is doing something good for somebody who is incapable of doing it for themselves.” –David Letterman

 

 

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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.

 

Domestic and Sexual Violence Services’ Advocacy Services is designed to help individuals, families, and community members impacted by domestic and sexual violence, human trafficking, and stalking. The main goal of Advocacy Services is to provide survivors/victims with support, information, and resources they need to make their own decisions on how to stay safe while navigating the legal system in a way that considers their past experiences. Learn more about Advocacy’s services.

 

 

Join the Conversations!

Domestic and Sexual Violence Services has a new podcast, Unscripted: Conversations about Sexual and Domestic Violence. Stay in the know with these biweekly discussions!

 

 

 

… with Debra Miller

In her role as youth education & outreach specialist on the Prevention, Education, and Coordination team, Debra Miller educates teens about healthy relationships and consent with the hope of preventing teen dating violence and sexual violence before it occurs. She does this through HYPE sessions in schools and community programs and by managing the Teen Advocates Program where Fairfax County teens learn how to be leaders in their communities. Debra also provides trainings to parents and youth-serving professionals on how to approach these topics with the teens in their lives. As for a typical day, Debra says there’s no such thing! “Some days I am running from schools to community centers across the county or you can find me at the office on Zoom and Teams.”