Are you one of those employees that wear several hats within the agency ?  On a daily basis you display your multiplicity of skills by doing many things and doing them well.  You perform your job without hesitation or complaining and are motivated to help clients and support the agency’s mission. 

Yes I am talking to you, the one that skips lunch to sit with a client in anticipation of their court hearing at 1:30 p.m.  Yes you, the one that handles all of the bilingual crisis calls, translates handouts and brochures into Spanish, does the Spanish radio and television interviews, in addition to handling your English speaking client caseload.  Yes you, the one that comes to the office on the weekend in preparation to provide training to all the juniors and senior government classes at the local high school.  Yes you, the one that stays up until 2:00 a.m. to write and submit that foundation or government grant that will hopefully offset the agency budget cuts from the state.  And I am definitely talking to you, the one that responds to the hospital at 3:00 a.m. for the rape survivor, stays until the exam is over and the survivor is released, then returns home to get ready to be at work by 8:00 a.m. 

Yes all of you, the dedicated staff of California rape crisis centers.  You have gone beyond the call of duty on so many occasions that it has become the norm instead of the exception to the rule. 

This behavior that you display while admirable on many levels can have a negative effect on you physically and emotionally.  In order to be an effective resource for survivors of sexual assault you need to give some critical attention to your self care.  CALCASA has continually stressed the importance of trauma stewardship for crisis center staff.  In February 2010, CALCASA held a Trauma Stewardship one day training in Pacifica, California.  We also distributed a book to every California rape crisis center written by Laura van Dernoot Lipsky titled “An Everyday Guide to Caring for Self While Caring for Others”.  In addition, CALCASA designed an entire Wellness Track at the National Sexual Assault Conference in September 2010 that was sponsored by the Joyful Heart Foundation.  Some of the workshops from the Wellness Track were:

• Self-Care Tools for Everyone! – Breathing, Yoga and Writing
• Creative Expression for releasing, transforming and healing
• Techniques for Self Massage
• Core Fusion
• The Joy Diet (Self-Care for Advocates)

 The internal calling of a heart for service to help survivors can be strong.  The alarm of self preservation to have a healthy work life balance should be just as strong.  I talked about the importance of work life balance in an post I wrote last year titled “Life is a Balancing Act”.   Having a balance between work and life can restore some harmony to your life and reduce stress.  Take a “time out” to enjoy the blessing in your life.  I coach my son’s under 6 soccer team and my daughter’s under 10 soccer team; that is one of my releases and pleasures in life.  Please share in the comment box below what you do to take care of yourself and establish or try to find that healthy work life balance.  Remember, it is okay to  hang up some of those hats that you wear from time to time.

On February 3, 2010, about 30 advocates from various Ca Rape Crisis Centers convened in Pacifia, CA for a workshop addressing vicarious trauma facilitated by Laura van Dernoot Lipsky, author of  “Trauma Stewardship: An Everyday Guide to Caring for Self While Caring for Others.”

As mentioned in the previous posts, A Time for Healing and Trauma Stewardship Workshop, Laura van Dernoot Lipsky has worked with trauma survivors for over a decade and has now shifted her focus on the effects of this work on other advocates in trauma-related fields. Laura addressed the importance of self-care, daily meditation, and embracing your everyday blessings without guilt.

It was great to see how many advocates were able to attend this workshop and take advantage of the tools and resources Laura provided.  One participant shared:

Laura’s presentation style was amazing. I think when doing the work that we do, and discussing how it affects us, it is important to not feel overwhelmed or be too judgmental of ourselves . Her use of humor and her ability to engage the audience seemed to bring people together and facilitated the openness for discussion.

You can hear more about the workshop and what participants had to say about it below.

CALCASA is pleased to announce a workshop opportunity for CALCASA Member Programs.  On Wednesday, February 3, 2010 Laura van Dernoot Lipsky, author of  “Trauma Stewardship: An Everyday Guide to Caring for Self While Caring for Others” will be facilitating a day-long workshop for advocates from CALCASA Member Programs. Laura has been a trauma worker for about two decades. About 10 years ago Laura shares that she finally had to face the reality that

The work she cared so much about was taking a toll on her

Laura began to realize the importance of taking care of herself if she wanted to continue to take care of others.  Her journey and experiences of healing lead her to write “Trauma Stewardship.”  Now, Laura dedicates her time to sharing her knowledge and experiences with other advocates working with trauma on a daily bases.

As mentioned earlier, Laura will be providing a day-long workshop for CALCASA Member Programs on Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at the Best Western Lighthouse Hotel in Pacifica, CA.  This workshop will focus on common effects of trauma exposure as well as finding balance and, as Laura states, “Finding your way to Trauma Stewardship.”

You must be a staff or volunteer at a CALCASA Member program to attend this workshop.  We are limiting the attendees to ONE (1) per Member Program, to allow every Member Program to be represented at this event.  Registration is $45 per person (nonrefundable) and CALCASA will be providing limited travel stipends (upon approval) to participants on a first-come-first-served basis so register early as space is limited.

For more information and to register for this workshop, click here.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact Cindy Marroquin by email or at 916-446-2520*313.