20-Years Later: Remembering and Honoring Those Lives Lost on 9/11
Written by: Leslie McPherson, Programs Administrator September 11, 2001 marks the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks where nearly 3,000 people were killed in a series of attacks in the United States – a day Americans will never forget. Americans felt a collective trauma and devastation that has forever changed our lives. As we commemorate 9/11, we are reminded of how our nation and…
Read MoreMs. Foster’s Class
Recently we had Ms. Foster, a volunteer at a summer safety program for teens, reach out to us to let us know about a very useful safe driving website that one of the teens in the program found. Ms. Foster is teaching the teens in her summer safety program, “that safety is important in our lives in order to protect ourselves and others, and that…
Read MoreJune Employee of the Month
This month, we celebrate a VSS Rock Star whose work is done primarily behind the scenes. Hard working, efficient and dedicated, she can handle almost anything. An accountaholic and ledger-lover by nature, we are talking about our very own, ChewBeng Woodcock! ChewBeng (affectionately known among VSS staff and Board as “Chew”) has worked as the Accounts Manager at VSS since 2014. Her role keeps her…
Read MoreLooking Back as we Look Ahead
Written by: Leslie McPherson, Programs Administrator As we begin another fiscal year, it’s a great time to reflect on everything Victim Support Services (VSS) has achieved in the last year (July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2021). And what a year it has been! As the world grappled with a pandemic, the need for victim services remained constant. VSS altered its programs accordingly, to maintain…
Read MoreAugust Pet of the Month
Well hello there, Friends! My name is Teddy Kevin Weber, but I go by Ted, Teds, Theodore, Teddy-Spaghetti, and Spaghetti-ooo. I live in Helena, Alabama. I was adopted from Aurora, MO, in August 2020, when I came to live with my ‘Fur-ever People’ and my furry siblings (I have 3!) I am 50% Great Pyrenees, 25% Siberian Husky, and 25% Alaska Malamute…. that explains why…
Read MorePower of One Award
In 2018, Victim Support Services decided to institute a special award to illustrate our grateful appreciation for those who go above and beyond, the “Power of One” Award. The first ever Power of One Award was dedicated to a VSS stakeholder whose loyal dedication and unwavering commitment to the community deserved special recognition. On March 28, 2018, the late Detective Scott Tompkins was presented this…
Read MoreCVSC Training Series
WHEW! Our training series that was hosted under the CVSC Training Grant has come to anend. We jumped in fast and furious at the beginning of February with the initial 40-hournationally credentialed CORE Academy Training and qualified 12 new advocates to helpindividuals hurt or harmed by crime in WA state. We then got the ball rolling on our trainingseries with the prioritization to cover important…
Read MoreHow to Cope with Fourth of July Celebrations After Experiencing Trauma
Written by: Leslie McPherson, Programs Administrator, Victim Support Services Covid-19 has stolen our holidays, disrupted our normal routines, family gatherings and so much more. With restrictions easing and states opening back up, many are looking forward to celebrating the Fourth of July, (almost) post-pandemic. The Fourth of July is a day of pride and celebration. Many gather with loved ones, grill out, have neighborhood block…
Read MoreWashington State Crime Victim Service Center Hotline Update
Back in February of 2016, Victim Support Services was awarded a grant through the Office of Crime Victim Advocacy (OCVA) to manage and monitor the first 24×7 statewide hotline for victims of general crime in Washington state. Individuals hurt or harmed by crime have been able to speak with a trained advocate to receive crisis intervention, advocacy, information, referrals and more. Since its inception in…
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