Posts Tagged ‘support’
Grieving 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.…
Read MoreIn Memorium: Scott Tompkins
Our community lost a great friend, a stellar detective, and a champion for crime victims when Detective Scott Tompkins succumbed to a sudden illness this past weekend (9/9/18). Scott was a long-serving member of the King County Sheriff’s Office, hired in 1991, and contributed his time to Victim Support Services as a board member for…
Read MoreDon’t Worry, Be Happy….Part 1 of the Symptoms of Stress
Written by: Julie Thomas, Director of Victim Services and Training Are you a worrier? That is a question I ask participants in my Emotional Wellness classes that I teach for VSS. Inevitably many slowly raise their hands, some blurt out, “Oh Yes!” “Are you kidding?” “Lifelong worrier.” Worrying in this day and age almost seems to…
Read MoreFourth of July: Triggers
Written by: Kimi Nolte, MPH, MSW, Lead Victim Services Coordinator On the fourth of July, most people look forward to the BBQs, firework displays and spending time with their loved ones. However, the holidays can be difficult for a number of reasons, especially if you and your family experienced a traumatic loss. Today, we’d like…
Read MoreNational Night Out Against Crime
National Night Out is an annual event where communities across the country connect with law enforcement. The focus of National Night Out is to get neighborhoods actively involved in preventing crime in their community. At National Night Out, you will be able to visit tables for various community organizations and interact with your local first…
Read MoreNational Stress Awareness Month
Written by: Nicole Vangrimbergen, Victim Services Coordinator Many of us get home from work, grab a frozen dinner, toss it in the microwave and pour a glass of wine. Maybe we drop into the local fast food chain because we are in a rush to get to the next commitment, whether its baseball practice for…
Read MoreThe Myths & Facts of Stalking
Written by: Maia McCoy, MSW, Victim Services Coordinator Myth #1: Stalking happens only between intimate partners. Fact: It is true that overwhelmingly, stalking victims are stalked by an intimate partner. 44% of male victims and 61% of female victims are stalked by an intimate partner. However, many stalking cases occur between acquaintances. What this means…
Read MoreFrom the Desk of the Executive Director
Dr. Michaela Weber, Executive Director It’s the New Year and as you read this, I hope that you are all transitioning into 2018 feeling refreshed and relaxed, after spending some quality time with your respective families/friends/loved ones this past holiday season. Many of you are reflecting on the past and making projections for the upcoming…
Read MoreManaging Triggers
Written by: Maia McCoy, Victim Services Coordinator The word “trigger” has become so ubiquitous in our vernacular that it has lost meaning. “Trigger” is used when one’s buttons are pushed, when one is vexed, frustrated, or fed up. “I was so triggered.” However, many annoyances do not rise to the level of trauma, and by…
Read MoreEmployee of the Year
Congratulations to Brigitta Ellwein, King County Victim Service Coordinator, for being nominated by her peers, as the Victim Support Services Employee of the Year, 2017! This is an award that is provided by co-workers to the team member whom they believe contributed significantly to the agency’s good work in the community throughout the year. Brigitta has…
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