Newsletter - Volume 2, Issue 2

Embedded Scribd iPaper - Requires Javascript and Flash Player
Volunteer Voice
February 3, 2010
STAFF Genevieve N. Waller, Esq. Executive Director Joan Amado, LMSW, MPA Director of Crisis Services Sherry Lewis, MA, LPC Director of Therapy and Outreach Katie Reid, MSW Community Education Program Director Mary Dell Hayes Volunteer Services Coordinator Melanie Griffin, MSW Sexual Assault Services Coordinator Daphne Pearson, MA, LPC-I Advocate Counselor Jennifer Gantt, MSW Group Services Coordinator Georgina Hance Office Manager
February2010
February 2010
Sun Mon 1 Tue 2 Wed 3 USC Service Learning Fair 7 Volunteer Training 14 8 Volunteer Training 15 9 Volunteer Training 16 10 Volunteer Training 17 11 Volunteer Training 18 19 20 12 Thu 4 Fri 5 Sat 6 Volunteer Training 13
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
IN THIS ISSUE 
February Calendar News and Upcoming Events Ask An Advocate Updates Wednesday, February 3: Help recruit volunteers on USC’s campus. Join Mary Dell in the Russell House from 10:30am until 2:00pm.
1 2 3 4
 
Volunteer Advocate Training will take place Saturday, February 6 through Thursday, February 11. Refer your friends and family! If they complete training you will receive a prize.
Mary Dell will be out of the office from February 17-25. Please refer any questions or concerns to another staff member.
Page 1
SCCADVASA Citizen Advocate of the Year Each year the South Carolina Coalition for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault gives a number of awards to community members and service providers who have gone above and beyond for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. This year Karen Sundstrom was selected for the Citizen Advocate award. In addition to her almost twenty years of service to STSM, Karen also served on the board for Sistercare for almost ten years. On average Karen spends nine hundred hours per year on call or providing hospital accompaniment. Karen also volunteers with STSM Speaker’s Bureau and is passionate about helping community members understand what role they can play in ending sexual violence. We are so grateful for Karen’s commitment to ending sexual violence her generous gift of service.
20 Under 40
STSM Executive Director Ginny Waller was chosen for The State’s Twenty Under Forty. Each year The State honors professionals who are changing the Midlands. Ginny was selected from a group of almost two hundred nominees for this special honor. Check out the full story online for more information. You can read the full story here: www.thestate.com/20under40
Volunteer of the Quarter
ter Award to Anna McKechnie. Anna has been volunteering with STSM since August of 2008. She
STSM is Hiring!
social work, counseling, or a related field. Clinical licensure is required or should be in progress.
We are proud to award our Volunteer of the Quar- We are looking for someone with a Masters degree in
has provided assistance in the office and volun- Job duties: To enhance and expand comprehensive serteered at special events in addition to going on vices for survivors of sexual assault to include crisis intercall as a Volunteer Advocate. Anna’s passion for vention, information and referral, individual and group STSM must be contagious – she has recruited at therapy, and advocacy within the criminal justice systems. least four other volunteers who have successfully completed advocate training. Anna graduated in Provides individual and family counseling, education, case management and referral for December with her Bachelor’s degree from CIU survivors and their family members according to VOCA grant objectives, DHEC stanMasters in Counseling degree at CIU. Anna will be featured in the receive a free ticket for
Job Expectations: - —
and began class work in January to receive her dards, United Way outcomes and agency expectations. Promote STSM services
within key community-based task forces and events. Research and present new ideas for improvements to the crisis program. —Ensure quality assurance of client services while maintaining overall quality of agency services and being an active member of the STSM clinical team. Crisis Support Program including attending required professional development trainings. paniment.
Agency Newsletter and will — Responsible for grant objective activities and documentation of completion for
Workshop Theatre. —Serve as secondary primary staff responder to assist in hotline and hospital accom-
Page 2
Ask an Advocate
This month’s Ask An Advocate is written by Ann O’Halloran. Ann has volunteered with STSM as a Volunteer Advocate since February of 2007. Ann works in sales with Gregory Pest Control. She drives a bright green Gregory Pest Car. If you ever see her, honk and say hi and thank her for three years of excellent service to survivors of sexual assault.
In October of 2005, I had just lost my Dad to pancreatic cancer. In spite of that, life was good. I have great family and friends and a job I love. God had been good to me, so I wanted to give back. I went to the United Way web site to look for a “cause” that I could lend my time and (limited) talents to. That’s when I came across Sexual Trauma Services. The first day of training we took turns introducing our selves and explaining why we wanted to volunteer for STSM. I was shocked by how many women had either been a survivor or knew someone that was a survivor of sexual trauma. Since then, I’ve been on numerous hospital calls. The one call that made the most impact was a newly graduated student. She had been given a date rape drug and woke up the next day in jail. The officer thought she was drunk and arrested her. Even though the attacker had beaten her up, she was in pretty good spirits until the doctor told her how often he sees date rape drugs used in sexual attacks. She became so upset that so many other women have to go through what she did. There are no words to take away the physical and emotional pain, but by being there to listen, to get her a blanket, to get her something to eat and drink, or to help out with some other small gesture, I’m glad that I can make a small difference by volunteering.
St. Pat’s in Five Points
Want to save $15? Join us on Friday, March 12 or Saturday, March 13 to raise money for STSM. Volunteer opportunities are listed below.
   
Three volunteers are needed on Friday, March 12 from 3:00pm—9:00pm. These volunteers will be assisting with the Battle of the Bands Competition, including the Wii Rock Band competition. Three volunteers are needed on Saturday, March 13 from 8:00am—12:00am. These volunteers will be the festival manager’s right hand. Two volunteers are needed from 10:00am—1:00pm, 1:00pm—4:00pm, and 4:00pm—6:00pm. These volunteers will be managing the Comfort Zone tent at the Five Points Fountain. Three volunteers are needed from 10:00am—12:00pm and from 4:00pm—6:00pm. These volunteers will be assisting the Capital City Shaggers with their stage.
All volunteers will receive free admission to the festival.
January Call Totals
Total Hospital Calls: 24 Hospital Calls answered by volunteers: 22 Hospital Calls answered by staff: 2 Total Hotline Calls: 18 Hotline Calls answered by volunteers: 13 Hotline Calls answered by staff: 5
Updates and Other Important Information

A new grant will provide twenty-four hour coverage by SANE nurses for all hospitals. The SANE’s will now be called Forensic Nurse Examiners (FNE’s). Need a refresher? Feel free to attend any portion of volunteer training! Popular refresher courses are: hotline calls, hospital calls, safety plans, and completing the ARF. Email Mary Dell if you would like more information.
Upcoming Dates to Remember:

Saturday, February 6—Thursday, February 11: Winter Volunteer Advocate Training Saturday, March 13: St Pat’s in Five Points Tuesday, March 16: Volunteer Coffee Hour at 6:00pm Thursday, April 1: Sexual Assault Awareness Month Kickoff Tuesday, April 13: Community Partner Appreciation Event Wednesday, April 14: Walk a Mile in Her Shoes Monday, April 19: Tee It Up for STSM Golf Tournament Tuesday, May 4: CE Event Saturday, June 12—Thursday June 17: Summer Volunteer Advocate Training
***You must attend at least one continuing education event and one anonymous kit training for this fiscal year! Attend early and attend often!***