VICTIMS RESOURCE CENTER

NOTE ABOUT EXEMPT PURPOSE AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF VICTIMS RESOURCE CENTER: VICTIMS RESOURCE CENTER (VRC)- AN ADVOCATE FOR YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW. IN 1974, VRC WAS STARTED BY A GROUP OF VOLUNTEERS TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE SUPPORT TO VICTIMS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE IMPACT OF VICTIMIZATION. TODAY, VRC SERVES THE VICTIMS OF ALL CRIMES IN A THREE COUNTY AREA OF NORTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. THE ORGANIZATIONS VISION IS FOR ALL VICTIMS TO HAVE ACCESS TO IMMEDIATE AND ONGOING SUPPORT FROM INFORMED VICTIM ADVOCATES AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS IN THE COMMUNITY. VRCS MISSION IS TO PROVIDE DIRECT SERVICES FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME, PREVENTION EDUCATION FOR THE COMMUNITY AND ADVOCACY FOR VICTIMS RIGHTS AND VIOLENCE FREE COMMUNITIES. VRC IS DEDICATED TO PROVIDING A BROAD SPECTRUM OF SERVICES TO ITS CLIENTS IN AN EFFORT TO AID THE HEALING PROCESS. SERVICES ARE OFFERED TO MEN, WOMEN, ADOLESCENTS AND CHILDREN WHO ARE VICTIMS OF CRIME AS WELL AS TO THEIR FRIENDS AND FAMILY. DIRECT SERVICES INCLUDE A 24-HOUR HOTLINE, CRISIS INTERVENTION, CRISIS COUNSELING AND ACCOMPANIMENT TO POLICE DEPARTMENTS, HOSPITALS, COURT PROCEEDINGS AND ASSISTANCE WITH FILING CRIME VICTIMS COMPENSATION CLAIMS. INFORMATION AND REFERRAL TO OTHER COMMUNITY RESOURCES ARE PROVIDED. VRC CONDUCTS SUPPORT GROUPS AND PSYCHO-EDUCATIONAL PREVENTION GROUPS. VRC IS THERE TO LEND AN EAR, OFFER A SHOULDER AND PROVIDE A SOURCE OF COMFORT TO THOSE AFFECTED BY CRIME. PREVENTION EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS COVER SUCH TOPICS AS PERSONAL SAFETY, DATE RAPE AND CYERSAFETY. ADULT PROGRAMS INCLUDE SUCH TOPICS AS SEXUAL HARASSMENT, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AWARENESS. TRAINING FOR PROFESSIONALS IS AVAILABLE ON SENSITIVITY TO CRIME VICTIMS AND THE IMPACT OF VICTIMIZATION. VRC PROVIDES INFORMATION TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND REDUCE THE RISK OF FUTURE VICTIMIZATIONS. VRC CREATES AWARENESS OF THE SPECIFIC SERVICES THE ORGANIZATION OFFERS SO THAT IN TIME OF NEED THERE WILL BE NO HESITATION IN MAKING A CALL. COMMUNITY AWARENESS EVENTS ARE HELD FOR VICTIMS RIGHTS WEEK, SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE NEEDS IN THE COMMUNITY AND THE SERVICES VRC OFFERS TO MEET THOSE NEEDS. VRC IS A PRIVATE, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION CONSISTING OF APPROXIMATELY 29 EMPLOYEES WITH OFFICES IN THREE LOCATIONS. FUNDING IS RECEIVED FROM FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL SOURCES. COMMUNITY SUPPORT IS RECEIVED THROUGH FUNDRAISING EVENTS AND DONATIONS.