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Welcome to the KCIT CONNECTION Quarterly Update- Happy Summer!
April 2024- June 2024
A way to connect and share updates about the work we do across PA
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KCIT WELCOMES OUR NEWEST VOLUNTEER! | | |
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Andrea Zikul
Andrea is currently the Assistant Vice President at NFP and was previously Account Manager at One Digital. Andrea is experienced in Benefits Management and Health Insurance, and came to KCIT by way of current volunteer, Keeley Rosenthal.
We are so excited to have Andrea join us as she begins her volunteer journey in victim services!
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We offered companioning at 2 events; the PA CASA conference and The Crime Victims' Rights Rally. KCIT provided one-on-one support for 5 individuals. More on this below!
We provided outreach support for 4 potential deployments in Bucks, Dauphin, Delaware, and Montgomery Counties, and we are currently coordinating one deployment.
KCIT conducted outreach to 11 forensic nurses, connecting with 9 to offer Post-Intervention Support.
We onboarded 1 new volunteer, and we have about 5 more currently in progress, plus we are about to welcome back 2 former volunteers.
26 individuals participated in the May GCI Training, a very successful session!
Our annual Volunteer Meeting planning has been underway, and we are very excited for those joining us in Ephrata.
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CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS RALLY | |
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KCIT attended the Crime Victims' Rights Rally sponsored by the Crime Victims Alliance of Pennsylvania, on April 22nd, as part of National Crime Victims' Rights Week. This year the rally asked, "How Would You Help?" and centered services, pathways to hope and healing, and options for survivors.
KCIT offered companioning support for attendees of the rally as survivors and victims shared their impactful stories. The rally was held on the steps in the rotunda, and was hosted by KCIT's own, Melany Nelson! The speaker lineup also featured Father Paul Abernathy, who may be remembered by our KCIT community as the trainer for last year's Volunteer Meeting. His speech was powerful and moving, and we were all glad for the reunion.
KCIT also tabled alongside other victims' services organizations, met peers, and shared information about our model and services. Beth Coutts, our Training and Outreach Specialist, saw many familiar faces from her previous work in victim services, and we were proud to have her with us for her first official event as KCIT staff.
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KCIT Program Coordinator Donna Welsh, Training and Outreach Specialist Beth Coutts, and Administrative Assistant Kelsey Dellaporte, pictured with KCIT Trainer and Volunteer, Leslie Davila.
Our team had the pleasure of being trained by KCIT's own Leslie Davila at "Ethical Considerations for Victim Service Providers", presented by NOVA's Training Institute, in June of this year.
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An in-person Strategic Plan meeting was a rare treat for Donna, Beth, and Kelsey. The three met in Doylestown and worked under the trees near the historic Mercer and Michener Museums. | |
KCIT Volunteer and Advisory Committee Member, Melany Nelson, at the PA Capitol for the Crime Victim's Rights Rally. | |
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BUCKS-MONT COLLABORATIVE SUMMIT
KCIT Program Coordinator, Donna Welsh, attended the 2024 Bucks-Mont Collaborative Community Summit in May, and ran into some familiar faces!
Melissa McDermott, Director of Prevention Education and Outreach at Women in Transition, formerly KCIT's own Training and Outreach Specialist, and NOVA's Victim Advocate Coordinator, Stephanie Shantz, were also in attendance!
The Summit focused on strengthening our region’s leadership, organizations, and community. Expert speakers in the fields of trauma, social justice, and organizational leadership and growth provided inspiring remarks, inciting reflection and discussion, and shared practical tools for participants.
Building community and connections allows us to better serve Pennsylvanians in need! Thank you to Bucks-Mont Collaborative, speakers and presenters, and all those in attendance!
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UPCOMING
KCIT will be conducting simulation training to keep volunteers in active status. If you believe you are in need of joining a simulation, please reach out to Beth at beth.coutts@novabucks.org.
Learn the Group Crisis Intervention Model
to respond to community trauma.
During a GCI a group is led by a facilitator through a series of questions using time progression—starting in the past, present, and then future. Questions aim to help participants sort through their experience of the event, sensory impact, reactions, and what they continue to hold as a result of the trauma. The group process assists in restoring connection and the feeling that “I am not alone” in my suffering. It is important to understand that a GCI is not therapy and is a one-time intervention. Must attend all sessions to receive KCIT Certification.
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