AmeriCorp Victim Assistance Program (AVAP) Member

AmeriCorps Victim Assistance Program (AVAP) members provide crisis intervention, direct support services, and advocacy to individuals and families who have been impacted by domestic, sexual, and stalking violence, addressing critical needs of communities throughout New Hampshire. Members receive training from experts in the field on crucial topics related to victim/survivor advocacy. As financial abuse presents a significant barrier to survivors in accessing safety, members integrate economic empowerment into their advocacy by providing financial literacy education and services. 

AVAP is currently accepting applications for 2019-2020 service positions which begin 9/4/2019 and end 8/28/2020. AVAP members are placed at crisis center and criminal justice based host sites throughout the State of New Hampshire. Both full time (1700 hours) and half time (900 hours) positions are available.

By serving a year with AVAP, you have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of victim/survivors of domestic, sexual, and stalking violence. The experience and training you receive will not only help you make a difference in the field of victim/survivor services, but will also allow you to make valuable connections within the community and with other socially conscious individuals. 

Full time service includes a living stipend totaling $14,000. An educational award of $6,095 is also offered upon successful completion of service that can be used to pay back qualified student loans or to pay for the cost of attending a qualified higher education institution. Health insurance is also offered to full time members. (Half time amounts: $7,500 stipend, $3,047.50 educational award)

AVAP members serve as Crisis Center or Criminal Justice advocates, providing a variety of direct services to meet the needs of survivors and their families which include:

 Crisis Center Advocate:

-Providing financial literacy sessions (one-and-one & workshops) and referrals to services that will assist those seeking to address financial barriers and gain financial independence

-Assisting in obtaining restraining orders and offering support and assistance at legal hearings

-Providing confidential support to survivors of domestic, sexual, and stalking violence

-Answering crisis hot line calls

-Providing accompaniment to the hospital, police department, criminal proceedings and social service agencies

-Making contacts and/or referrals to social service agencies and other community resources

-Participating in public outreach and education to community organizations, hospitals, etc.

-Facilitating support groups and workshops for survivors

Criminal Justice System Advocate:

- Referring victims to local crisis centers and social service & community agencies

- Educating the victim/witness about the criminal justice system

- Providing information on victim’s compensation and assisting survivors in the application process

- Providing information on financial literacy and referrals to meet financial literacy needs

- Informing the victim/witness of case status, procedure and hearing/trial dates

- Supporting and assisting victims in preparing victim impact statements

- Providing information and referrals for financial assistance

- Collaborating with community partners to offer financial literacy sessions and workshops in the community

At least 18 years of age. 
Commitment to community service. 
Interest in the issues of domestic & sexual violence and stalking. 
Interest in economic justice/empowerment. 
Ability to work independently with limited supervision. 
Ability to maintain a non-judgmental stance. 
No prior experience in victim/survivor advocacy required.

Applications (found online here) and the required corresponding documents- resume, personal statement, and three professional/academic references- may be submitted directly to Program Manager Natalie Ryckman via e-mail at natalie@nhcadsv.org or mailed to AVAP at P.O. Box 353, Concord, NH 03302-0353

Review of applications and interviews will begin late March 2019. Although applications will be considered through August 2019, host site placements occur on a rolling basis so early submissions are encouraged to secure host site location preference. Find our application online at https://www.nhcadsv.org/avap.html