RivCo Trauma Intervention Nonprofit Seeks Volunteers: What To Know

MENIFEE, CA — The city of Menifee has joined with the Riverside County non-profit "Trauma Intervention Programs" of Riverside County and is seeking local volunteers, the group says.

TIP Riverside County prospective volunteers to serve Menifee, would be invited to a training program planned from Jan. 23 to Feb. 1, according to the group. Volunteers must participate for the full session in order to reach the benchmark for certification. Three training sessions occur during the day, while the remainder takes place in the evenings.

TIPs volunteers work to aid those affected by violent crime or natural disasters by providing in-person assistance toward healing from those events, according to its website.

CEO of the TIP Riverside County, Magda Stewart, spoke on the partnership and the need for volunteers.

"Giving your time to this program can make a huge impact on people's lives who may have no one to turn to for support in the immediate aftermath of a tragedy," Stewart said. "Volunteers can also alleviate first responders at the scene, enabling them to do their work, with volunteers taking over comforting the people involved in the crisis at hand."

The county's TIP chapter has been in operation since 1993, serving multiple jurisdictions. The national organization was chartered in 1985 and provides guidance and support to the constituent parts.

According to the nonprofit, victims of sexual assault, car crash survivors and those who experienced tragedy stemming from suicide are among recipients of TIP volunteer care.

Also, victims of residential fires and wildfires, rape and robbery victims and their loved ones, as well as "disoriented older persons" who are alone without help can receive assistance 24 hours a day, the organization said.

What do volunteers do? Law enforcement officers often request them, paramedics and personnel at hospitals to assist with those affected by life-altering events.

Volunteers must train for 37 hours spread out over eight days before reaching the qualification benchmark.

Anyone interested was asked to contact Stewart at 951-698-2453 or magdaceo@tiprivco.org.

Further information is available at tiprivco.org.