Looking for Victim Crisis Response Volunteers to Address Trauma
The Fox Cities Victim Crisis Response (VCR) Team is looking to expand its services within Winnebago County, specifically to the Oshkosh area. The VCR team is a professional volunteer organization designed to assist local police departments in providing support, assistance and resources to members of the community and their families who are victims/survivors of crime or who are in crisis. Trained VCR volunteers respond directly to the scene when requested by members of the partnering police agencies. Last year, the VCR program responded to an average of 300 emergency calls, serving 1,300 community members. Based on the recommendations and work of the Winnebago County Overdose Fatality Reviews and the lead from the Oshkosh Police Department, the VCR program is looking for 10 volunteers to be trained and to begin volunteering this fall, so this successful program can meet the needs of Oshkosh community members.
VCR volunteers will be working within Winnebago and Outagamie counties for a minimum of 12 hours of on-call time per month. Ideal volunteers are over 18, successfully pass a background check, and people who are understanding, empathetic, and compassionate for those experiencing a traumatic event. Additionally volunteers would need to be reliable, to be respectful of law enforcement and first responders, have a personal cell phone with a data plan, have a valid driver’s license, have valid auto insurance and have a reliable vehicle. VCR volunteers respond with immediate assistance to support the needs of victims/survivors of crime and those in crisis, primarily with emotional support, safety, information, and community referrals; they enhance the quality of justice by fostering an increased willingness of victims/survivors and witnesses to cooperate with law enforcement after they have reported a crime; they assist law enforcement officers by attending to the immediate on-scene emotional needs of victims/survivors of crime and crisis; and they attend monthly training meetings to develop personal skills and team building.
All volunteers go through 24 hours of training and will be matched with VCR mentors. If you're interested please contact Volunteer Coordination and Community Outreach Manager, at info@victimcrisisresponse.org #920-422-8205 or apply here: https://victimcrisisresponse.org/volunteer-application/. Training will start this fall and applications are due by September 1st.
