The Lake County Council Against Sexual Assault (LaCASA) is seeking volunteers to work as advocates for people who have been sexually assaulted.
According to Deirdre Simpson-Rhoads, volunteer coordinator, LaCASA needs people ages 18 and older to train as advocates for victims of rape and incest and provide crisis intervention and preventive education.
Volunteers are needed to provide emotional support, information and community resources via hot line.
Women of color and bilingual women are especially needed, Simpson-Rhoads said.
Medical advocates provide crisis intervention, information.
Court advocacy volunteers are needed to attend legal proceedings at the Lake County courthouse in Waukegan involving sexual-assault cases.
LaCASA also wants volunteers to supervise children while their parents participate in LaCASA’s counseling programs, Simpson-Rhoads said.
Volunteers are also needed to teach children about personal safety and how to protect themselves from being victimized.
LaCASA, a non-profit organization, provides Lake County residents with comprehensive support programs, including counseling for child and adults who have been sexually assaulted, legal and medical advocacy, police and emergency room training and a 24-hour hot line for crisis intervention.
Applications to participate in evening volunteer training courses are available at LaCASA, 4275 Grand Ave., Gurnee. Evening training courses will begin March 5.
For more information, call 847-244-1187.
