Victims Quarterly Newsletter - Winter 2022

MADD Northern California Victim/Survivor Newsletter 24 - Hour Victim Help Line: 877.MADD.HELP

Winter 2022

Quarterly Focus—Volunteering With MADD

Over the last few months we have started to see more opportunities for volunteers to be involved in the mission of MADD, and we wanted to invite you to participate. MADD Northern California cannot do what we do without the help of an incredible group of volunteers, many of whom have volunteered for years and have found purpose in helping to prevent what has happened to them from happening to anyone else. We are continuously amazed by their courage and honored that they would work alongside us. As we enter into a time very similar to a relaunching of our programs and some services, we wanted to share with you opportunities to become more involved in what MADD does in Northern California. Below is a list of volunteer opportunities. Please take a look at it and consider if there are ways you might get involved. You can contact [email protected] or [email protected] to talk further about these opportunities. Victim Speakers—We have opportunities both in person and virtually for people to share their story of how they have been impacted by a DUI crash. We can help you prepare and will make sure you are as comfortable as possible before sharing the first time. Possible audiences include high school and college students, DA ’ s offices, community events, sports teams and more. Victim Assistants/Advocates—We need help supporting families and individuals who have been involved in a crash. We will provide all the training and will support you as you support our families.

Special Events—We are always looking for more help with events like Walk Like MADD, candlelight vigil, fundraisers and Law Enforcement Recognition. We have behind - the - scenes and upfront roles. Checkpoint Volunteers—We need more volunteers to not only be a part of the checkpoints “ on the line ” handing out materials but also to be a part of the briefings that happen prior to the checkpoints themselves. Administrative Support—Do you like to do research? Edit? Reach out to organizations for donations? Sports Partnerships—We are working on strengthening our partnerships with the local professional and collegiate sports teams, and there might be opportunities coming up to table at events or be a part of the designated/responsible driver programs. Please reach out to [email protected] or [email protected] to express interest in any of these great opportunities.

RESOURCES

MADD Resource Highlight: Did you know that MADD has a Facebook page exclusively for victims? You can request to join the private group here: www.facebook.com/ groups/296123220511979 If you, or someone you love, has been the victim of a violent crime, you can contact a MADD Victim Advocate, 24 hours a day, at 1 - 877 - MADD - HELP.

Other Resources: 2 - 1 - 1 (either by phone or 211.org)

www.Compassionatefriends.org

Crime Victim Compensation www.victims.ca.gov/for - victims/

Winter 2022

MADD Northern California Victim/Survivor Newsletter 24 - Hour Victim Help Line: 877.MADD.HELP

Encouragement

We received this quote from someone after our last newsletter was sent out, and we thought we would share it with you. We hope that it is an encouragement to you today.

“ Life will break you. Nobody can protect you from that, and living alone won ’ t either, for solitude will also break you with its yearning. You have to love. You have to feel. It is the reason you are here on earth. You are here to risk your heart. You are here to be swallowed up. And when it happens that you are broken, or betrayed, or left, or hurt, or death brushes near, let yourself sit by an apple tree and listen to the apples falling all around you in heaps, wasting their sweetness. Tell yourself you tasted as many as you could. ” - Louise Erdrich, recipient of 2021 Pulitzer Prize

We recently wrapped up walk season, and we were excited to be able to hold many of our Walk Like MADD events in person this year after a year and a half of virtual events. If you are unfamiliar with our walk events, they are great opportunities to connect with victims and volunteers, honor your loved ones, raise awareness and also fundraise to further MADD ’ s mission of No More Victims. San Francisco Bay Area —Oct. 3 at Cal State East Bay in Hayward. We partnered with the Cal State East Bay Alumni Association to host over 100 walkers and 12 teams. The walk also raised $103,404. Thank you to all that came out to support the walk and enjoy a day together. Sacramento —Oct. 9 at Maidu Park in Roseville. We had over 200 registered walkers, the CHP Academy volunteered and walked (165 cadets) and we had several law enforcement agencies, including a boat on display from Placer County Sheriff ’ s Office. We exceeded our fundraising goal.

Both walks were a huge success, and we cannot wait for our 2022 Walk Like MADD events.

Coming Soon...

MADD Sacramento Candlelight Vigil

Jan. 8 at 6 p.m. This year the event is being held at Harry Nauman & Son chapel located at 4041 Freeport Blvd., Sacramento.

We would love to hear from you! If you have comments, suggestions or questions, please feel free to contact your local MADD office: San Francisco Bay Area [email protected] or Sacramento [email protected]