Featuring Our Wonderful Volunteer, Christina Mason!

 

Christina is our saving grace at Shelter!  During Monday night house meetings she provides childcare and/or answers the crisis line when staff are busy facilitating.  And she is a problem solver! When she notices a gap in services she is determined to find a solution. She is always on the phone with other agencies and providers asking questions about their services so that we can add that information to our resource lists for participants. She is warm, thoughtful, and kind – so she is a delight to work with for

participants and staff alike.

 



What do you do as a volunteer at New Beginnings?  What does a typical shift look like?

I’m a Women’s Advocate Assistant at the shelter on Monday evenings. I do childcare so moms can attend the weekly house meeting, answer Helpline calls, take residents to the clothing closet and food pantry and support residents by providing information about community resources and a listening ear.

How have you been challenged within your position?

It is difficult to have to turn away Helpline callers in need of confidential DV shelter on nights when the shelter is at capacity. For me, this experience has really driven home the need for more DV services and shelter beds in our community. It makes me realize what a vital and lifesaving service New Beginnings provides.   

How did you come to want to volunteer for New Beginnings?

I have worked in social services for many years and knew that many clients I worked with had been touched by domestic violence. Yet I had very little understanding of intimate partner violence – the resources available, ways to help support survivors, etc. I was hoping this experience would make me a more knowledgeable and skilled social worker in terms of recognizing and responding to DV.   

What do you know now about domestic violence that you didn’t know when you first started volunteering?

I’ve gained a more nuanced appreciation for just how deeply it can impact every aspect of a survivor’s life and their children’s lives – being able to maintain employment, to stay connected with friends and family who the abuser knows, the kids’ ability to go to school. Being at the shelter, it is also truly apparent there is no one “typical” survivor profile, that domestic violence impacts people regardless of age, education level, race, culture, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, mental health, and socioeconomic status. I’ve met survivors from so many different backgrounds.          

Is there a quote or sentence that helps guide you in life?

I really like how the Dalai Lama stresses the importance of kindness above all else, “My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.”     

Anything else you’d like to share with other volunteers? 

Initially, I did not realize the incredible flexibility in possible volunteer shifts and times. Since the shelter is a 24/7 facility, it can accommodate most schedules. I’ve found volunteering in the evenings to sometimes have a light-hearted and fun side I did not expect – hanging out with the residents and their kids as they are donning PJs, checking out movies from the video library, telling stories and unwinding from the day.  

 

The Volunteer Spotlight is on Carly Von Hoffmann!

Carly has been volunteering in childcare at THP since 2010, during which time she has been a calming, fun-loving presence in the children’s lives. She is equally at home playing on the floor with toddlers, and having a serious conversation with one of our teens. She has also taken time out of her weekends to take family portraits for the families, many of which haven’t ever had one before. Thanks to Carly for being so reliable, and for bringing such warmth to THP childcare!

 

 

 

 

What do you do as a volunteer at New Beginnings and what do you like most? 

Primarily I work as a childcare volunteer at the Transitional Housing Program.  Occasionally I also take family portraits for the residents at THP. 

The best part of volunteering has been simple, but it is being in the moment with the children.  I frequently spend time with children outside of New Beginnings, but when I volunteer, I don’t have an agenda other than being present and enjoying the lively, inspirational young people.

When I take family portraits, it is often a great moment when I am able to give the prints back to the families and watch their faces light up, especially the children, in their recognition of themselves.  I’m grateful that I have the ability to give the families a small gift that they may keep for years to come.  It is also a gift that they may not be able to do for themselves.

What’s the most interesting thing you’ve seen at your volunteer site?

I can’t think of an interesting occurrence off hand, but I have felt grateful to witness children experiencing their feelings.  When I have seen children upset for various reasons, for at least a brief moment I was able to acknowledge their emotions and normalize their experience. Feelings are not always safe to express in domestic violence environments.

What do you do when you’re not volunteering?

When I’m not volunteering, I work as an Art Therapist, and Marriage and Family Therapist.  I’m currently back in school to further my ability to help people through different healing modalities.  Other than that, I enjoy attending UW football and basketball games, going to musicals, and traveling.  I also engage in art-making and practice yoga. 

What do you know now about domestic violence that you didn’t know when you first started volunteering?

Domestic violence can be an insidious and disorienting process.  Although intellectually I have a grasp of the patterns and signs of domestic violence, it can look different depending on the individuals or families it is affecting.  Therefore being exposed to families who have been through domestic violence is continually a learning experience. 

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Honestly, I can’t think of a piece of advice that significantly stands out enough for me to pinpoint it.  However the word I keep with me is “faith.”  That word could be applicable in many contexts, but typically I believe that remembering faith is believing that things will work themselves out, and that in time, we will be guided on the path that was made for us.  For example, when I did the volunteer training at New Beginnings I wasn’t even planning on volunteering (I was taking the training to supplement my internship).  Nonetheless three years later I’m still thankfully involved with New Beginnings.

 

You're Invited! STEPS Against Domestic Violence @ Greenlake

STEPS Against Domestic Violence!
Join us for a fundraiser walk held to honor all survivors and victims of domestic violence.  Let's take this opportunity to celebrate all the first steps YOU have taken and continue to take to help end domestic violence!

Sunday, October 13th at 10am -- Program begins at 10am at the Greenlake Park Community Center. 
More details can be found at:  http://www.newbegin.org/steps

Current Volunteer Openings

VOLUNTEER NEEDS!

 

We currently need help in the following ways! 

• Help Line Advocate:  Answer crisis calls Tuesdays, 9am - 1pm
• Provide assistance to a Women's Advocate by calling participants to confirm appointments, checking in and offering emotional support, and helping with file management.  This position is available during a 4-hour window of time between Tue-Fri, 9am - 5pm.
• Co-facilitate a domestic violence support group with a staff member, exploring feelings around domestic violence topics, one night a week, 6pm - 8pm.
• Facilitate healthy relationship support groups one afternoon a week (tentatively Tue OR TH afternoon) at a local middle school for the school-year.

If you are interested in any of these exciting direct service volunteer opportunities, please contact Erin at epankow@newbegin.org! 

Congratulations Advocates!

 

 

Congratulations to those who graduated from New Beginnings' Domestic Violence Volunteer & Advocate Training in April!