HISTORY, GOALS AND PURPOSE

The COVA Minority Internship-Mentorship Program was established in July of 1996 in an effort to increase sensitivity and awareness in cultural and environmental issues, while advocating victims' needs and rights. In 1999 the program was renamed to COVA Victim Services Intern Program, which reflects the grant intent by expanding and encouraging growth within victim services, while promoting diversity and cultural sensitivity.  Funding for the Program is from Victim of Crime Act (VOCA) funds and the 1st Judicial District, 2nd Judicial District, and 18th Judicial District Victim Assistance Law Enforcement (VALE) Funds.

The program is currently committed to placing students of under-represented populations in non-profit organizations and government victim service agencies. The program provides opportunities for students to serve in system and non-system victim services programs.

The goal of this program is to acquire employment in the field of victim services for the intern. Placement in the field of victim services encourages a working knowledge of the criminal justice system, crisis intervention styles, community outreach opportunities, courtroom advocacy skills, agency planning techniques, grant writing, and volunteer-intern management. The intern experience, coupled with an increased awareness in diverse populations benefits the student, the community, and the prospective employer.

COVA Victim Services Intern Program commonly recruits local college-level students from University of Colorado at Denver, Community College of Denver, Regis University, Red Rocks Community College, Denver University, etc.

The purpose of the victim services intern program is to provide a paid practicum in the field of victim services that may not otherwise be accessible to the student, while nurturing a cooperative working and learning relationship between the host agency, the intern, and COVA.

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PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Some of the placements we offer are at the following agencies:

Arapahoe County District Attorney’s Office, 18th Judicial District Aurora Police Dept.-VSU Denver City Attorney’s Office Denver District Attorney’s Office Denver Juvenile Probation-Victim Services Denver Center for Crime Victims  DOVE Gateway Battered Women’s Shelter Healing from the Heart Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office Lakewood Police Department Rape Assistance and Awareness Program Victim Outreach Information WINGS Foundation

COVA VICTIM SERVICES VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

Anyone interested may sign up to be a Victim Services Volunteer. The minimum commitment is three hours per week for a period of three months or one academic semester. COVA can also assist and place students in need of a service learning project in the field of victim services.

VOLUNTEER QUALIFICATIONS

! Must have a strong desire to work in the field of victim or human services;
! Must be able to commit to a minimum of 3 hours per week;
! Must commit to a period of 3 months, or one academic semester; and
! Must have a high standard of confidentiality and be sensitive to the needs of others.

For further information, please contact the COVA office or email covavsi@aol.com.

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