December 2007

Dear Potential Volunteer,

Thank you for your interest in volunteering for the Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault. I am sending you information about the opportunities in the Crisis Services Program.

The mission of the Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault is to reduce the trauma and incidence of sexual assault by providing treatment and promoting prevention of sexual abuse, incest, molestation, and rape. The Center will accomplish this through the provision of services including crisis intervention, specialized mental health services, advocacy, prevention education and professional training. Another way the mission of our agency is carried out is by providing 24 hour/7day a week crisis intervention, information and referrals to recent and past victims of sexual assault, as well as friends and family of victims. Trained volunteer crisis advocates assist in providing these services.

The training for volunteer crisis advocates will start March 29, 2008 and end April 06, 2008. Attached is a break down of dates and times for the training. The volunteer packet includes an application form, crisis advocate job description, and agency information that will serve to answer questions that you may have concerning these volunteer opportunities.

Volunteer packets must be returned by March 22, 2008

The training will focus on many aspects of sexual assault. We will look at the dynamics of why it occurs, how it occurs, and what occurs to the victim/survivor afterwards. It will be intense and very educational. I cannot stress enough that this is a training and should not be used as a means to heal from a previous experience. As crisis advocates you need to focus your attention on others and their crisis and must have a firm grasp on your own emotions.

The charge for the training is waived for those individuals who commit to volunteer for the Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault and $60 for those taking the training for professional development. Once you have read through the information and determined that you are interested, please fill out the volunteer application and send to the address listed below along with your payment. This will RSVP your spot in the training. We have limited seating of 15.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me, I am very pleased that you are taking an interest in serving your community and learning more about sexual violence that affects us all.

Thank you for your time and interest.

Sincerely,

Melissa Cannata
Advocate & Outreach Manager
Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault
1600 N. Country Club Rd.
Tucson, AZ 85716
520-327-1171