Serving as a Surrogate Victim Advocate is a great way to become familiar with the mediation process and prepare yourself for the training to become a Mediator.
As a Surrogate Victim Advocate, you hold the critical role of standing in place of an “actual” victim, (also referred to as the “identified victim”) in a mediation process, when the identified victim is not able to participate. Duties include: representing the perspective of the actual victim (whether an individual, or entity) and the overall community; effectively communicate effects of the harm done and to advocate for victim’s needs and experience recommending constructive types of restitution.
VOLUNTEER AS A SURROGATE VICTIM ADVOCATE
Have immediate impact on youth and families in crisis • Learn great skills
!MUY IMPORTANTE!
NECESIDAD DE VOLUNTARIOS BILINGUES
✓ Resolve Disputes for your Community
✓ Learn Great Skills
✓ High Quality Training
Profile and Expectations:
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Understanding of the lived experience of the victim, and of the community represented
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Familiarity with harm - has experienced, or been exposed to, harm on some level
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Integrity and imagination - ability to represent a victim in the specific circumstances of the case, with honesty and conviction
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Strong verbal communication skills
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Compassionate and empathetic
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Commit to at least two mediations per month
Huge Benefits:
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One of the most substantive and rewarding volunteer opportunities available. You get to see the immediate impact on families and youth in crisis.
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Invaluable skills that will make you more effective in both the workplace and interpersonal relationships.
Victim Offender Restitution Program (VORS)
The Victim Offender Mediation Program assists people who have been impacted by crime and the youth who caused the harm via a mediation process, with the opportunity for dialogue and reaching resolution through an agreement.
Mediations facilitated by trained community volunteers are held between the youth and the person who was harmed by their actions, which include private citizens, homeowners, teachers, local city governments, businesses and other youth.
Offenses include vandalism, theft, assault, shoplifting and other non-weapon related offenses. Most importantly, the program works to provide financial and psychological restitution for victims and relief for the overloaded Juvenile Justice system. Since 1992, 98% of the more than 5,000 Victim Offender mediations have reached agreements resulting in over $700,000 in restitution to victims, over 20,000 hours of community service performed and 3,920 letters of apology written by the youth offenders to their victim.
This process reduces re-arrest rates for participating youth to 8-11% within 1 year of completing the program and drastically increases service and reparation for victims.
APPLY TODAY!
Step 1:
Download and complete the CYS Volunteer Application.
Step 2:
Submit the completed CYS application, along with your resume or bio, to [email protected]
Step 3:
Once we receive your documents, we will call you in for an interview. If approved, you will complete additional CYS volunteer paperwork and required security clearances.
“Strengthening Families and Communities since 1975”
CONTACT US: (310) 970-7702, or [email protected]
