Everyday AdvocatesFamilies & Communities Empowered for Safety ©

Getting it Right: Solutions for Safer Communities

OCADVSA :: Thursday, June 19, 2008

What is advocacy?

1. to speak or write in favor of; support or urge by argument; recommend publicly: He advocated higher salaries for teachers–noun 2. a person who speaks or writes in support or defense of a person, cause, etc. (usually fol. by of): an advocate of peace. 3. a person who pleads for or in behalf of another; intercessor. 4. a person who pleads the cause of another in a court of law.

Advocacy Purpose

Increasing awareness; empowering action

– Teach individuals and groups through presentations, literature, website and word-of-mouth about creating and making choices.

– Build victim services and support with other advocates and community resources.

– Act for process improvement when indicators reveal the need to do so.

How will volunteers help?

• Relieve you of duties that prevent you from spending more hands-on time with clients

• Word-of-mouth extends your advocacy message into the community

• Others?

What are your agency needs?

• Break duties and objectives into segments:– Direct Support – counseling, shelter?

– Services – safety planning, referrals?

– Administration – paper work, documentation?

– Follow-up – contact and support?

– Community involvement – memberships, trainings?

Teach volunteers to speak out

Words

1. Neighbors

2. Associations

3. Church friends

4. Checkout lines

5. Kiwanis, Rotary, Civitan

6. Co-workers

7. Workplace meetings

Safety Plans

1. Bulletin boardschurch and grocery stores, laudramats, liquor stores, restaurants

2. Ladies restroom stalls

3. Carry them in your car

4. Give them to friends to carry

Teach them how…

• Presentations• Reading • Mini-trainings• Round table

discussions• Mini marketing

campaign• Special training

Volunteers can act• By providing education, volunteers empower

communities to create a world that is free of violence – and fear.

• By providing advocacy, volunteers empower each person to create a life that is free of violence.

• By providing information to service providers about the experiences of victims in the system, volunteers can create the greater possibility of abuser and system accountability and service improvements.

The volunteer match

• Match potential volunteers with your program needs– Be innovative in engaging people to help– Be open to new ideas from volunteers

• Worksheet

– Collaborate with other agencies and community stakeholders to share resources• Time• Energy• Money

–Develop mass messages personalized for your community• Ask yourself: what’s in it for them?

A bigger picture

Identify individuals

• Who in your organization is a member of a group?– Identify the groups

• Who in your organization knows someone in a group?– Identify the groups

Teach them how a culture of violence affects everyone…

• Danger at work and school– Increased costs of

doing business can translate to less salary for workers

• Real estate values can decline

• The cycle continues…

Agency and stakeholder match

• Match potential agency partners with your program needs– Be innovative in your connectionsBe open

to new ideas • Any connection could be a beginning of

collaborative work

• Worksheet

What can volunteers do to help?1. Distribute safety

plans throughout your community

2. Learn to support victims with positive words

3. Learn about family services offered by local agencies

4. Educate others

5. Never turn their back on violence

6. Join a Hope Blossom group

7. Volunteer in your office

Happy volunteer trails to you!

mailing address : 6533 E 89th Place Tulsa, OK 74133-5010(918) 519-3698 :: faces.sherry@gmail.com :: www.faces.tulsa.org