Sheriff’s office seeks victim advocate volunteers

The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office is in need of volunteers to be victim advocates.

A victim advocate is expected to be able to nurture and be a support system to individuals who have experienced trauma, were victims of a crime, have been in a critical accident or other trauma-related instances, according to a Boulder County Sheriff’s news release.

“Ideal volunteers are at least 21 years old, calm, compassionate, emotionally mature and nonjudgmental,” the release said.

Victim advocates are requested to work either weekday shifts from 6 p.m. Monday to 6 a.m. Friday or weekend shifts from 6 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Monday.

Volunteers are expected to “attend 40 hours of training in crisis intervention, grief response, legal procedures, law enforcement and resource information,” according to the release.

Training runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from Sept. 27 through Oct. 15. Tuesday and Thursday training sessions will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday training sessions are scheduled for 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The last training session, Oct. 15, may end early.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. Aug. 26. For more information about being a victim advocate or to fill out an application visit bit.ly/3auflr6 or call Kris at 303-441- 4737.

“Our victim advocates provide direct and followup support to the victims of crime and tragedy in our communities. This is a much-needed, much-appreciated service. The opportunity for personal reward and growth for the advocate is rich as well,” Sheriff Joe Pelle said in the news release.