Posts Tagged ‘support’
Words from a Volunteer
In honor of Volunteer Appreciation Week, we think it’s important to honor our volunteers, not only current ones, but former volunteers as well. Liza Sanguinetti volunteered as a Hotline Advocate for the last 2 ½ years. Liza came to VSS eager to help people and learn more about victim services in Washington State, where at…
Read MoreNew Year’s Resolutions After Losing a Loved One
Written by: Rachel Martinez, Victim Services Coordinator While many people start off the new year with resolutions to lose weight, exercise more, or spend less money, these resolutions might seem unimportant or daunting to those stepping into the new year without a loved one. Others might want to create a resolution in coping with their…
Read MoreAntiTerrorism and Emergency Assistance Program Grant
VSS has more exciting news! We were awarded with a $108,000 AntiTerrorism and Emergency Assistance Program (AEAP) grant! With these funds, we are opening a new office in Skagit County and will be hiring a mental health therapist. Free trauma-informed therapy will be provided to victims and those affected by the Cascade Mall tragedy…
Read More2019 VSS Furry Friends Calendar
The VSS Furry Friends Calendar is back again this year, and better than ever! The calendar is filled with pictures of the VSS stakeholder’s (staff, board members, volunteers, etc.) pets. As well, the calendar has VSS events and National Days relating to victims of crime. This calendar is part of our 2018 Year-End-Campaign. What does…
Read More#GivingTuesday
Black Friday, Cyber Monday, #GIVINGTUESDAY! With only 7 days left before #GivingTuesday, which is on November 27th this year, the team here at Victim Support Services is readying themselves to set this years’ donations goal. What is #GivingTuesday? “#GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Celebrated…
Read MoreThanksgiving Grief
Written by: Janet Quiroga, Hotline Coordinator Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday season. It is a time for gathering with loved ones, to give thanks and enjoy good food. Although to those who have lost a loved one, Thanksgiving can be the total opposite. It can make them question what there is to be…
Read MoreA Report on Our Special Training Grant
In late March 2018, Victim Support Services was the recipient of a special grant from Washington state that covered training to community members and professionals around the state who work with crime victims. The grant lasted 6 months – beginning April 1 and ending on September 30. For the six month period, VSS provided continuing…
Read MoreOUR NEGATIVE SELF TALK
Written by: Julie Thomas, Director of Victim Services and Training I often encounter people in the course of my work who tell me “I am my own worst enemy”. It is so easy for us to believe the worst about ourselves, to put ourselves down, to litter our days’ thoughts with negative self-talk. Somewhere in our…
Read MoreThe Symptoms of Chronic Stress, Part 2
Written by: Julie Thomas, Director of Victim Services and Training What is stress anyway? Is it bad, is it good? Stress is simply the non-specific response of the body to anything in life which causes people to have to adjust or alter attention, behavior and/or demands of energy. It is a survival mechanism. Stress, when properly managed, is constructive…
Read MoreGrieving Youth Returning to School
Written by: Katy Percini, MA, LMFT, Mental Health Therapist Heading back to school after the summer break can be an exciting time for many students. For others, returning to school can cause anxiety, depression, and stress. When a child is grieving the death of a loved one, returning to school can be even more difficult.…
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