Volunteer Spotlight: Lolita Albers

Lolita Albers

What programs do you volunteer with at the CDR?

I work with Victim-Offender Mediation, the Victim Impact Panel, and am starting with Family Group Conferencing.

What drove you to become involved with these programs?

When I first heard about the CDR’s victim-offender mediation training several years ago I was immediately interested. Victims and offenders sitting down face-to-face and each telling their stories and listening to the other person’s story is powerful, and I was excited to become part of the process.  Mediation is an opportunity to prevent offenders from moving into the criminal justice system, which benefits those immediately involved as well as society in general. 

What is your favorite part about volunteering with the programs?

I’m continually inspired by the willingness of victims to help offenders move beyond their offense; this is especially true with juvenile offenders. 

What would you say to someone who is considering volunteering at the CDR?

You will be involved with a program that allows you to make a real difference in people’s lives.

Next Victim-Impact Panel to be held in November

We will be holding our next Victim-Impact Panel for youth this November, and we are looking for volunteers to help facilitate the process. 

Unlike a traditional victim-impact panel program, wherein offenders sit passively in a large group during a presentation by victims, in this program small groups of youth are encouraged to have a personal dialogue with victim-presenters. The presenters are prepared in advance to “tell their stories” in an impactful way, and youth are assisted in developing questions to ask of the presenters. As a result a meaningful and engaging dialogue takes place, facilitated by program volunteers. Where in other contexts youth may be defensive or self-focused, the structure of this program moves youth away from this mindset, allowing them to empathize with victims and see the far-reaching impact that even “simple” crimes can have.

If you are interested in serving as a victim-presenter, or receiving training to help facilitate a panel, please contact us today!