ST. JOSEPH — The Sexual Assault Response Team in Berrien County is currently seeking advocate volunteers to assist specially-trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners in providing around-the-clock care to sexual assault survivors. Advocates help begin the healing process and give survivors the support they need to live full, satisfying lives.

Advocate volunteers must successfully complete a comprehensive four-day training program to ensure they’re properly equipped to work with sexual assault survivors. The next training session will be hosted from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 2, 3, 9, and 10 at The Avenue Family Network Inc., located at 2450 M-139 Suite A, Benton Harbor. Applications are due by Monday, Feb. 25 in order to attend.

“The Sexual Assault Response Team in Berrien County consists of counselors, social workers, law enforcement officials, physicians, SANE nurses, the Cora Lamping Center and the Children’s Advocacy Center – all who are committed to helping survivors and end sexual abuse in southwest Michigan,” said Alyssa Pliml, RN, SANE-A, SANE-P/AVAS Coordinator, Lakeland Health. “Advocate volunteers are crucial in assisting this team, by providing emotional assistance and support to survivors of abuse and assault during the initial examination process.”

Advocate volunteers must be able to serve for a minimum of 24 hours per month or six hours per week. On-call shifts will be assigned on a rotational basis, and volunteers who are “on-call” must respond if a call occurs during their shift. Ongoing education and training will be provided to advocate volunteers to further develop and enhance the appropriate skills and compassionate support services they provide to patients.

For more information or to obtain an application, call (269) 687-1880, email apliml1@lakelandhealth.org or visit lakelandhealth.org/sane.

Spectrum Health Lakeland is a non-profit, community-owned health system serving southwest Michigan and northern Indiana. We offer a full continuum of care and wellness services including three hospitals, an outpatient surgery center, a cancer center and 41 physician practices. Lakeland is a division of Spectrum Health with 30,000 professionals, 4,100 medical staff experts, 3,200 volunteers and a health plan serving 1 million members.