March 28, 2024

Volunteer advocates needed to help survivors

Newton Daily News

The Crisis Center and Women’s Shelter serves 12 South Central and South Eastern Iowa counties including Appanoose, Davis, Jasper, Jefferson, Keokuk, Lucas, Mahaska, Marion, Monroe, Poweshiek, Wapello and Wayne. Its mission is to provide services for survivors of intimate partner violence and to promote a violence free society through community education and advocacy. To help best achieve that goal, volunteer advocates are needed in those counties.

What does an advocate do? They work with survivors in many areas including: criminal and civil legal advocacy, crisis counseling, economic advocacy, safety planning, transitional housing, information/referrals and community education programs.

To become a volunteer advocate you must attend a 30 hour training course and be mentored by an experienced/certified advocate before working with survivors. Once a volunteer has completed the training process, they will be able to work with clients within their communities in person and over the phone.

The Crisis Center & Women’s Shelter will be hosting a training from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 19-20 and March 5-6 at the Lucas County Health Center in Chariton. If interested, contact Von Dodds at Vond@ottumwacrisiscenter.org or 800-646-8340.