Victim Assistance Program will celebrate 20 years of victim advocacy services for the Barberton area with an open house Thursday, Sept. 20, from 2 to 4 p.m., at the organization’s Barberton Municipal Court office location, 576 W. Park Ave., in Barberton.
The celebration will include refreshments, a chance to see the nonprofit’s new office space and an opportunity to learn more about the community services the organization offers. The event is free and open to the public. To RSVP, visit vapbarbertonopenhouse.eventbrite.com, or call at (330) 376.0040.
In 1997, Victim Assistance Program first applied for additional grants to serve the needs of the community. Members of the community bound together to help make this service a reality. Letters in support of this program ranged from judges to members of the police force, as well as educators in the Barberton school system. As a result, the first full-time victim advocate for the Barberton Court helped victims in 1998.
Victim Assistance provides 24-hour crisis intervention.
The impact the Barberton office has on the community today is significant. In 2017, the Barberton office alone assisted 505 clients. In total, Victim Assistance Program provided a total of 41,050 services to victims of crime and trauma.
The mission of Victim Assistance Program is to empower the community to restore lives impacted by crisis, violence and tragedy. The agency provides 24-hour crisis intervention, advocacy and education to victims of crime and trauma and the professional community who serves this population. To learn more about Victim Assistance Program’s services, and ways to get involved, visit victimassistanceprogram.org or call the 24-hour hotline at (330) 376-0040.
