Ginny Ostermeier knows what it’s like to be in crisis and to need help.
That’s why she was happy to give back when she had an opportunity to volunteer at the Southwest Crisis Center as an advocate for victims of domestic violence or sexual assault.
“Like many advocates, I’ve had past experiences with that, and I had people beside me during that time and it’s so important,” Ostermeier said.
“When you’re going through trauma, you’re ashamed and you find it hard to talk about. It makes it hard to trust people.”
Being able to tell victims she’s been there and she understands has made Ostermeier a valuable Crisis Center advocate over the past several years.
It’s also what led her peers to nominate her for this year’s Faces of Hope Award, which she’ll receive at the Southwest Crisis Center’s annual banquet Saturday, April 30, in Windom.
“Ginny has a quiet, calm demeanor and instantly puts survivors/victims at ease,” said Kari Drost of the Southwest Crisis Center nominating committee.
Drost said Ostermeier once reached out to a woman who wasn’t even aware of the Crisis Center, but Ostermeier accompanied the woman to court and helped her through the crisis.
“I didn’t do it for that reason,” Ostermeier said about the award. “I love the girls in the office, and I’m very grateful for all the training.”
She will be honored on April 30 with volunteers from the other four counties served by the Southwest Crisis Center. They are Worthington Police Detective Dave Hoffman, Assistant Cottonwood County Attorney Lori Buchheim, Pipestone County Deputy Court Clerk Jason Shear and Jackson County Sheriff’s Investigator Kelly Mitchell.
Ostermeier said she’s looking forward to the event as an opportunity to encourage more people to volunteer for the Southwest Crisis Center in the spotlight.
“More people should consider it,” she said about becoming an advocate.
“They train you in everything you need to know about being an advocate. … You just talk when they come through the door. And you listen. A lot of listening. It’s really important that you’re a good listener, because it’s all about them.”
The Faces of Hope banquet begins with a social hour at 5 p.m., with dinner at 6 p.m. followed by the presentation and a dance. The location is the Windom Community Center.
Tickets for the banquet, which is a primary fundraiser for the Crisis Center, are available at the Southwest Crisis Center office at 114 West Main Street, Luverne, for $35. The phone number is 283-9917.
They are also available online at www.mnswcc.org. Seating for a table of eight can be purchased for $250.
All money raised will help fund direct services to survivors of domestic and sexual violence and human trafficking.
About the Southwest Crisis Center
The Southwest Crisis Center provides a wide variety of support and information to victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence and human trafficking.
It is the initial contact for victims in crisis through a 24-hour safe line, as well as through referrals from law enforcement, medical personnel, court administration, and other agencies such as churches, and health and human service groups.
More information is available at www.mnswcc.org.