FARMINGTON – SAVES is beginning its weekly fall Sexual Assault Crisis Helpline advocacy training program on Sept. 14 from 5-8 PM. SAVES is looking for local volunteers who would like to give their time for a worthwhile cause.
Twice a year, SAVES in Farmington holds an open training for all those interested in becoming Rape Crisis Helpline advocates in the Franklin county area. The training will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 14 at 5 PM in the Holman House offices of SAVES, 227 Main Street on the second floor. The trainings will include a series of Tuesday night sessions, as well as two Saturday sessions to work on helpline communication labs. Any potential advocates must be at least 18 years of age, and the training is free to any and all volunteering their time to the helpline.
SAVES advocates come from any and all places and walks of life. Students, professionals, males, females, are all welcome to attend the training. All we ask is that you enter the training with a compassionate heart, an open mind, a willingness to learn, and a desire to have the chance to make a difference in both your own life and the lives of others. If this is an area that you’ve been interested in getting into and have no experience, that’s all right, the SAVES advocacy training is geared towards giving all advocates specialized training in crisis intervention skills, legal and medical response to sexual violence information, the use of a pager system while on call and ongoing supervision.
“It is such an incredible feeling to be able to provide support to someone in need, to be able to walk with them through their darkest hours,” said Shanna, a graduate of the Advocacy training program.
For UMF students of certain majors, credits may be available. For further information or an application for the program, contact SAVES by phone at 207-778-9522, by e-mail at savesrcc@savesrapecrisis.org, or come by the office at 227 Main Street, Holman House second floor, Farmington, ME.
How many weeks is the training???