The Middletown Township Police Department, in affiliation with 180 Turning Lives Around (180), is seeking additional volunteers to serve on the Middletown Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT). 180’s highly-trained Victim Advocates are civilian members of the community who, in collaboration with law enforcement, provide support, options, information, and referrals to victims of domestic violence at police headquarters. The advocates also discuss with victims their legal rights in regard to obtaining a Temporary Restraining Order. The volunteer advocates are trained to help empower victims to make decisions about their own lives. The identities of the DVRT volunteers are kept anonymous. Prior knowledge of domestic violence is not required. Bi-lingual capability is helpful.
Basic requirements for volunteers to apply include that the applicant must be eighteen-years of age or older, have access to transportation, possess a valid driver’s license, be willing to serve on an on-call shift basis, participate in an interview process, submit to background investigations and fingerprinting, successfully complete the mandatory 40-hour training, and attend monthly supervisory team meetings.
180 will be conducting DVRT training October 15th - November 7th, Mondays/Tuesdays/Wednesdays, 6:00p-9:30p, at Long Branch City Hall, 540 Broadway. For more information or to obtain an application, please contact SFC. William M. Colangelo, DVRT Liaison Officer, at wcolange@middletownnj.org or 732 615-2041.
The Middletown Police Department and 180 are partnered in providing this specialized program for Middletown residents and visitors. The services of the Middletown DVRT are available 24/7 at police headquarters. The Middletown Police Department and 180 are truly appreciative for the hard work and steadfast dedication of this extraordinary team of compassionate and empathetic volunteers.
For over thirty-five years, 180 Turning Lives Around, a private non-profit organization, located in Hazlet, has been dedicated to ending domestic violence and sexual violence, which affects our community. To learn more about 180’s programs and services, visit www.180nj.org or call 180’s Confidential 24/7 Hotline 732 264-4111 or 888 843-9262. In an emergency, dial 9-1-1.