As I said earlier I am a member in the Americorps Victim Assistance Program in New Hampshire. This is a statewide Americorps program that is one of its kind. This program enables anyone 18 and over to give a year (or two if you want) to work in crisis centers, prosectuor's offices, police offices, child advocacy centers and state prisons and work with victims/survivors or perpetrators of domestic and sexual violence. Each of the different sites carries a different stress and work load; however, each site brings with it enormorus emotion and much to learn as well.
I work at one of the first crisis centers created on a college campus. SHARPP was developed after a gang rape incident at the University of New Hampshire. SHARPP has been a great attribute to the University of New Hampshire and many other colleges and universities have followed in its footsteps to create similar centers or offices at their respective homes. SHARPP is an amazing organization wth a wonderful staff that work endlessly to educate the campus community, as well as serving all those within its community that need to speak with an advocate about domestic and/or sexual violence and stalking.
I have worked with many survivors this year and each of them shows me the strength of human character and integrity of the human spirit. Not all people are bad and many good people do bad things. My decision to join the Americorps Victim Assistance Program was one of the best decisions I have made thus far and would encourage anyone and everyone to join the program or volunteer at a local crisis center. You can make a difference and every person helps.
www.avap1.org
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