Welcome to the 2024 October 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: Be Good to You Without Guilt Farewell, Toni! 3 Health Benefits of Volunteering October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month Is Domestic Violence a Men’s Issue? Quotables Program Spotlight: HYPEing up Healthy Relationships Join the Conversations!	Reviews: Check Out a Banned Book Raising My Voice: Meet Kim Bell VV FAQ Birthdays Fascinating Facts Test Your Brain Events and Educational Resources Make a Note! Parting Shot

 

Hello everyone! My name is Shanna Kim, and I have been working with DSVS for a little over two months now. Currently, I am a part of the Prevention Education and Coordination team, operating as the children and youth grant specialist, collaborating, reporting, and tracking on two grants related to children and youth affected by domestic violence.

Prior to joining DSVS, I was working for an international non-profit organization assisting and coordinating refugee arrivals to the United States. Before that, I worked at headquarters for a national resettlement agency. Assisting refugees looks different in many ways, and I happened to be contributing to this effort behind the scenes. After a few years in this role, I knew I wanted to work directly with the populations I served, and I learned I would need some sort of degree in, or similar to, social work.

Though I had a general sense of what social workers did, the more I looked into the field, the more I felt it was very fitting for me. While I was looking at volunteer opportunities with the county, I simultaneously stumbled upon my current position, which has led me here.

I believe that volunteers play a vital role in advancing the mission. It often takes a whole village to fight for a cause and bring about change. I strongly believe we need engagement from every level and community to advance the mission in which the volunteers are involved.

In my free time, I am either at church, serving my church community and taking part in bible studies, or I am taking small outings here and there with friends and family, whether it be going to see the sunset or going on a picnic. I also love trying new restaurants!

Shanna Kim
Children and Youth Grant Specialist

 

Self-care is anything that gives you peace of mind. Try these 5 activities to boost your emotional health—without feeling wicked:

• Don’t feel guilty about buying yourself a material treat (new shoes, anyone?). 
• Eat that dessert without counting calories. 
• Put a “do not disturb” sign on your bedroom door so you can sleep in on Saturday mornings. 
• Add a furry family member to your tribe. 
• Take a day off from work to do nothing—and then do nothing.

 

Toni Zollicoffer, division director of Domestic and Sexual Violence Services for the last 6 years, has been appointed chief equity officer for Fairfax County. This role is a key component in advancing the One Fairfax policy, a racial and social equity initiative adopted by the Board of Supervisors to ensure equity is at the core of all public policies and services. We are thrilled for Toni, though we will miss her. Thankfully, her departure doesn’t leave DSVS without leadership. Keesha Coke, previously assistant division director, has been tapped as interim director. Learn more about Keesha’s passion for this work from a 2023 interview.

 

 

Volunteers make an incalculable difference in people's lives while helping others. But were you aware volunteering can impact a volunteer’s health, too?

The good news: You don't need to have deep pockets or make policy changes to make your community better. Research shows volunteering—no matter the kind or size of the actions--offers significant health benefits, especially for older adults, including:

1. Improved physical and mental health. Volunteering among adults aged 60 and older provides benefits to physical and mental health. No matter your age, giving back has been proved to reduce stress and increase relaxation through a dopamine release. When volunteers spend time in service to others, they report a sense of meaning and appreciation, both given and received, which can have also have a stress-reducing effect. And people who volunteer have lower mortality rates than those who do not, even when controlling for age, gender, and physical health.
2. Feel a sense of purpose. The work volunteers provide is essential to everyday activities, giving volunteers a sense of purpose, especially when they give their time and talent in areas they find meaningful. This has been shown to increase satisfaction and self-esteem.
3. Nurture new and existing relationships. Volunteering increases social interaction and helps build a support system based on common interests. One of the best ways to make new friends and strengthen existing relationships is to participate in a shared activity! In many cases, volunteers have diverse backgrounds, which helps expand their social network and allows them to practice social skills with others.

 

Domestic violence is a family, community, and public health issue with widespread ripple effects that impact all parts of our community. It will take all of us to build a peaceful and safe Fairfax County. Get more information about this form of interpersonal violence and the ways in which Domestic and Sexual Violence Services observes DVAM. And find out how you can help raise awareness about domestic violence through social media.

 

In observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, please check out this Vice on HBO video, Confronting Domestic Violence Abusers Face to Face, documenting a unique restorative justice program.

 

 “No one is more cherished in this world than someone who lightens the burden of another. Thank you.”–Joseph Addison
 

 

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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.

HYPEing up Healthy Relationships

The Healthy Youth Prevention Education (HYPE) project is a youth-focused, 8-session curriculum that teaches participants about intimate partner violence and sexual assault prevention. Through hands-on activities, multimedia, role-play exercises and facilitated discussions, teens will have opportunities to examine various elements of relationships and develop skills to identify and replicate healthy dynamics in interpersonal interactions. Topics are also available as standalone workshops. Learn more about the HYPE Project.

 

 

Domestic and Sexual Violence Services’ podcast, Unscripted: Conversations about Sexual and Domestic Violence, is a year old this month! Stay in the know with these biweekly discussions, including this nod to Domestic Violence Awareness Month. If you have ideas for topics you’d like to hear addressed on Unscripted, email them to DSVS’ communications specialist Kendra Lee.