The Trauma Intervention Programs of Riverside County (TIP) is seeking community members in the Menifee area to volunteer to support emergency responders.
TIP is a 38-year-old nonprofit with 15 affiliates in the United States serving more than 200 cities. The TIP Riverside County Chapter serves five law enforcement agencies, Cal Fire, Murrieta Fire Department, and seven hospitals in Riverside County. Volunteers work with these organizations to provide emotional and practical support to people in a traumatic crisis, aiding first responders, hospital personnel, paramedics, and the coroner’s office.
The organization offers a unique opportunity for community members to make a meaningful difference during some of the most difficult moments in people’s lives.
Volunteers undergo specialized training to prepare for this critical role, participating in 37 hours of instruction over eight days, learning the skills to comfort families in the first few hours after a tragedy at the request of emergency responders.
The skills learned can be applied in various scenarios such as after the death, suicide, or sudden illness of a loved one; helping emotionally traumatized victims of accidents; providing emotional and practical support to those who have been robbed, burglarized, or assaulted; helping disoriented older persons; and assisting those emotionally shaken by other crisis events.
“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,” CEO Magda Stewart of TIP Riverside County 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 Menifee training begins in January 2025 on the following dates and times, with all classes being mandatory:
- Thursday, January 23, from 6 to 9 p.m.
- Friday, January 24, from 6 to 9 p.m.
- Saturday, January 25, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sunday, January 26, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Wednesday, January 29, from 6 to 9 p.m.
- Thursday, January 30, from 6 to 9 p.m.
- Friday, January 31, from 6 to 9:30 p.m.
- Saturday, February 1, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
TIP plans to extend its services to other areas in Riverside County with Menifee being the next partner city. For those interested in learning more about the program and the Menifee training, contact Magda Stewart at 951-698-2453 or [email protected].
