Advocates of Lake County

In this fiscal year our agency assisted 288 victims of crime, including 232 victims of domestic violence, 7 of child abuse, and 6 of sexual assault. of those victims served 126 were latina survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. These victims accessed services of crisis counseling, shelter, information and referrals, criminal justice support, financial assistance, legal advocacy, victims compensation and assistance. Our staff assisted several victims in filing for civil protective orders. At the alc safehouse we have sheltered 43 adults and children victims of crime. Additionally, staff or volunteers responded to 226 crisis intervention calls. "court advocacy: Advocates attend court with victims for support, guidance, and translation for our spanish speaking clients. "referral and information: assisting victims' with information and guidance regarding other services available. These include, but are not limited to, health and human services, legal aid, housing assistance, shelter, mental health agencies, work force and other agencies. "support: translation and assistance with paper work: these include but are not limited to victim impact statements, protection orders, housing applications, job applications, food stamps, and legal aid applications. "residential services: our agency owns and operates the alc shelter, a shelter for victims of domestic violence, sexual assualt and stalking. Services at the alc shelter are provided to victims as a means of protecting them from the threat of further abuse. Residents may stay up to 90 days while they stabilize their living situation. Alc shelter can accommodate 16 women and children at one time. Residents attend weekly individual counseling sessions, as well as support groups. Alc shelter residents are assisted by Advocates to develop short and long -term planning goals, such as securing employment, financial assistance, and seeking permanent housing. Advocates work with the clients in identifying options available, while connecting them with other agency and community services to empower them to succeed. Victims of crime are also given information on their rights and how to access them. "twenty-four hour crisis line: provides support, education, crisis intervention, and referrals to community resources. Staff and trained volunteers also offer referral services to counselors and social service agencies. Victims, abusers, family and friends find a supportive individual to speak with who is educated on domestic violence issues. Our agency receives referrals from, but is not limited to, the police department, the sheriff's department, the hospital, the local school district, the district attorney's office, and local physicians. Our agency makes sure that these victims are aware of their rights under the Colorado victim's rights amendment and how to access those rights; we do this by verbally telling them and also in writing. Our agency supplies local law enforcement agencies with victim's rights brochures that explain victim's their rights and how to access them as well as our agency and other agencies contact information. "training: the outreach/education coordinator continues to train volunteers and staff, give presentations to the community on programs offered, and give presentations on violence prevention. We also provide training to law enforcement officers on our services and the Colorado victims rights act. "bilingual service: the Advocates provide services in both english and spanish. Lake County has a large hispanic/latino monolingual, spanish- speaking population (some estimates are as high as 40%). These services are crucial to our community. "emergency support: the Advocates of Lake County is on call to support Lake County's emergency services organizations in case of emergency, disaster, or tragic death 24/7.