Giving credit where it's due; Victim Advocates of CFI

Going into this internship a few weeks ago, I knew very little about laws, court systems, non-profits, and Victim Advocates.

I had a small understanding. Laws exist, Florida has their own laws, the court is there to determine outcomes of defendants, non-profits are companies that normally work without the intention to make a profit and Victim Advocates are people who help those that are in need of help. Right?

Boy, was I wrong about that last one.

On Google after searching "Victim Advocate" the definition appears:

"Victim Advocates are professionals trained to support victims of crime. Advocates offer victims information, emotional support, and help finding resources and filling out paperwork. Sometimes, advocates go to court with the victims."

For a generic answer, fine, that's acceptable. But let me take a moment to further explain what exactly the VA's at Compassionate Family do. I would say for their job, but that's a bit insulting. This isn't a job for them. This title is their dedication for life to the survivors in Jacksonville who have lost a loved one due to homicide.

With that said, here is a few things you can find a VA doing at Compassionate Families:

• Attending court on several different occasions to support families who must look at the person who killed their loved one. Often week after week, month after month as Pre-trials get pushed back quite often.
• Fill out applications for financial assistance for the victim and family
• Writing and submitting Victim Impact Statements to the court in a timely fashion
• Providing crisis support; often not even during "office hours"
• Long term support, having a lasting relationship 
• Helping victims and families grieve, the way they want to, no structure or "how to grieve the right way"
• Providing several different agencies information after information...takes several calls to get it done
• Peer grief support meetings as well as one-on-one if needed
• Crisis management during all the multiple different stages of the healing process 
• Attending criminal/legal proceedings
• Putting together events to honor loved ones who are no longer here 
• Spending weekend at Camp Maddie every May for the children survivors

So, as you read, there is quite a bit. All this information could have been found on any site, but here is what you won't know about until you witness victim advocates first hand. I am specifically referring to Carl Harms and Sandra Jones, and Ryan Backmann. These are members of Compassionate Families either currently or at one time before. 

Carl, Sandra, Ryan (Each photo while serving families/Doing Camp Maddie)

These people don't have an off button. When a family member calls one of these members, and yes they are family once they are a part of Compassionate Families, the call is always taken. Whether it be 1:30 A.M. on a Tuesday morning, or 6:00 P.M. in the evening. The duty never ends. 

Listening to these three members tell me stories after stories of all that they've encountered, I would assume they get paid six figures a year. Although it is not about the money; VA's are still people and they have bills just like the rest of us. The reason I am bringing up money is because what the public does not know is that sometimes with companies there are things that occur that cause a delay in a paycheck. Does that prevent Carl or Sandra (current members of CFI) to just abandon these families and stop showing up? No, never. They are committed no matter what and take their title as a form of who they are. That's dedication.

I simply wanted to dedicate an entire blog post to shed some light onto these people who do so much for the city of Jacksonville's homicide survivors. I don't believe they are given enough recognition for all the self-less work they put in every single day of every single year. After all, they are survivors, too, so they understand truly first hand what another person is going through. 

If you see these people on the streets of Downtown Jacksonville eating pizza or taking a break for air, say hello. They are worth knowing. I feel very lucky to have met such kind hearted, amazing people. I can only learn great things for the remainder of my internship.

Thanks as always for reading. 

Here is a photo of Miss Sandra and I at my very first Court House Pre-trial today. I was so excited and she was the one to go with; every person in uniform knew her by name and greeted her with hugs and kisses. She is truly a beautiful person who gives her life to these families suffering. 

-ssr