Work overload

Something about the holiday season makes work seem busier. In our case this is actually true. The entire office has been busy. And, that's not necessarily because there have been more sexual assaults, but more people reporting. Our office is doing some amazing work with keeping up with our clients and making sure their needs are being met. Our counseling center is booming. We are working out all our kinks and getting our procedures in order to make the office run as efficiently as possible. Corey, Janet, and I have been trying to get more public awareness going. Corey has recently taken over our volunteer program. She is currently working up a volunteer brochure to explain what we do here at RCASA and then plans on reaching out to the University kids in the area as well as local churches. Janet has taken over keeping track of court advocacy. Making sure we all stay on target with what it means to be a court advocate. She's like the mom of our office. I'm currently trying to make contact with a couple of local high school to start up a Teens Against Sexual Assault program. It would be similar to a peer group. They would help contribute to public awareness efforts on campus as well as maintain some of our agency information in case anyone ever needs a way of getting in touch with us.

We recently held a training at the Rappahannock Regional Justice Academy on the Prison Rape Elimination Act. It was a lengthy training lasting about 8 hours. While it was a difficult topic I really learned a lot in observing the presentation. Prison guards have a very difficult job. My co-workers and I also saw that when doing a training like this people show up with their own personal history or knowledge of sexual assault. Which, automatically gives them an opinion. And, while we as a sexual assault center look at something one way they may come at it from a completely different angle. So, it was nice kind of hearing their thought process and comparing it to my own.

The month of December brings up several projects in the office. December 13, 2008 is our offices annual Cookie Connection. It's one of our big fund raising events. It's being held at the Central Rappahannock Regional Library in downtown Fredericksburg. We sell baked goods to raise money. And, the office gets to hangout together. Which, we are all about. The following week December 18, 2008 is our annual open house. It's a chance for the community to come by our office. See the new space. Find out what we're all about. Well, that's all for now. I'm hoping my other co-workers will get on and post soon.

What does RCASA do?

Since starting my job at RCASA, I must have been asked the question, "Taryn what exactly does your job entail? What does your organization provide to the community at large?" at least once a day. At first, this question was posed to me by my parents, grand-parents, and extended family. I had spent most of college confusing them with the statement, "I'm a Women's studies major" like it was something I made up. Now I explain to them that I am one of the Community Outreach Advocates, which is just a small part of what RCASA does.

RCASA is a non-profit organization based out of Fredericksburg, VA. However, we serve Stafford County, Spotsylvania County, Caroline County, King George County, and the City of Fredericksburg. Our jurisdiction that we cover is located in between Richmond, VA and Washington D.C.. We live in an area that is growing on a daily basis and becoming more culturally diverse in what feels like every minute. However, the idea of sexual assault or rape is something that is hard for this area to wrap it's head around. The reason for this is when you drive into the city of Fredericksburg it's quaint shops, picturesque houses, and neighbors that wave as they drive or walk down the street. It is a town where people want to pretend that horrific crimes do not take place. Well, I am here to say that they do. And, we hear about only a small portion of them. But, when something like rape or sexual assault takes place our office is there.

In terms of crisis situations, we provide 24 hour Crisis Hotline, Emergency medical & hospital accompaniment, crisis support counseling. We offer services to the communities, for example, Educational Presentations, Prevention programs, court and legal accompaniment, and allied professional training. Our counseling services has just started a brand new Trauma Therapy Program, Individual therapy, Family Education, and Survivor Support Groups.

All in all, it's pretty much the best place to work regardless of the horrible things we deal with on a day to day basis. Look for more blogs from my fellow co-workers soon.