Volunteers Are Paying It Forward
Californians are helping complete strangers after a trauma
Your phone rings – it’s an emergency. You get minimal information. Someone you do NOT know needs help. Your response is to drop everything to be there.
That’s what Nancy Kapko and Trauma Intervention Program (TIP) volunteers do every day.
“TIP volunteers provide emotional first aid and practical support to survivors of tragedy to help ease their immediate suffering and facilitate their healing, and long term recovery,” shared TIP Founder Wayne Fortin.
Nancy knows what it’s like to receive help and support in a time of need. Before his freshman year of college, Nancy’s son Brian was killed in a car crash outside of Denver, CO.
Following the crash, Nancy received an outpouring of support from family, friends and strangers. In addition to her faith, the support from others helped Nancy on her journey of healing.
She learned the power of compassion and a strong support system. As her heart began to heal, she decided to become an Orange County TIP volunteer. Now, she could help people through traumatic experiences, like she was once helped.
When Donna Kline’s husband, a retired police officer, passed away while driving home from a doctor's appointment, she was shocked to find TIP volunteers at her doorstep. “They totally calmed me down and stayed with me during the entire ordeal. They were extremely helpful. I don’t know what I would have done without them,” she added.
“Sometimes people can’t believe we are volunteers. And we’re there just to help them," added Nancy. “Aside from raising my family, being a TIP volunteer is the most rewarding and worthwhile thing I’ve ever done. I want to give more to others than I’ve ever received.”
TIP volunteers are available 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They work with first responders, hospitals and those who render medical aid. The impact Nancy and other TIP volunteers, with the financial support of State Farm, are having in communities is immeasurable.
“TIP volunteers provide healing for survivors. They also offer first responders a sense of closure. Our officers have a peace of mind knowing they aren’t leaving someone broken and alone. There is such gratitude to TIP volunteers,” said Orange County Assistant Sheriff Linda Solorza.
To learn more about the Trauma Intervention Program of Orange County, or for more information about the national non-profit organization - please visit the TIP website.