Become a Victim Services Volunteer

MADD Nebraska has several volunteer opportunities for those affected by drunk driving who would like to share their stories and experiences and help other victims of alcohol related crashes:

Victim Advocate:
You can become a trained Victim Advocate in your area to help those around you who have been a victim of drunk driving.  To learn more about becoming a volunteer Victim Advocate, please contact our MADD Nebraska State Victim Advocate, Cyndee McCarthy, at 402-434-5330 or toll free at 1-800-444-6233 or by email at cyndee.mccarthy@madd.org

Speaker:
Volunteer speakers at MADD Nebraska share their stories and the impact their experience has had on their lives as a way to help heal and move forward.  Speakers typically speak at MADD Victim Impact Panels. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer speaker for MADD Nebraska, please contact Rachel Janecek at the state office at rachel.janecek@madd.org or by phone at 402-434-5330 or 1-800-444-6233.

Victim Advocate Training Opportunities

Several upcoming training opportunities will be offered to individuals interested in becoming a Victim Advocate and for those who are currently a Victim Advocate and would like advanced training.

Beginning Victim Assistance Training Courses

July 10-12, 2008
August 7-9, 2008
Beginning VATI hosted by MADD National in Dallas, TX.  Please contact Rachel Janecek at the state office at rachel.janecek@madd.org or by phone at 402-434-5330 or 1-800-444-6233, or John Evans at john.evans@madd.org or by phone at 1-800-438-6233, ext 4564*.

*VATI scholarships, funded through a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance will be offered to eligible volunteers who are committed to becoming certified MADD Victim Advocates.  To receive a VATI scholarship application, please email vstraining@madd.org or call John Evans at 1-800-438-6233, ext 4564.

Online Courses

Listed below is a sample of online continuing education courses available to Victim Advocates.  These courses are taken after completion of the beginning victim assistance training courses.

  • Boundaries Training: Addresses managing personal boundaries and taking care of oneself.
  • Crisis Reactions Final: Covers various components of a traumatic event.
  • Cultural Competency: Discusses the importance of cultural competency when assisting victims of another culture.
  • Combating Impaired Driving Defenses: Focuses on understanding the prosecutor’s position.

For More Information

If you would like to become a volunteer victim advocate or volunteer speaker, are a victim of an alcohol related crash, and/or would like more information about MADD Nebraska Victim Services, please contact our State Victim Advocate, Cyndee McCarthy, at 402-434-5330 or toll free at 1-800-444-6233 or by email at cyndee.mccarthy@madd.org.  For more information about MADD’s National Victim Services, please visit their website at http://www.madd.org/Victim-Services.aspx.