We are excited to continue our series "Grow in Health" on the Growth Season podcast. Season sits with Mark Kloehn, a Certified Sexual Assault and Crime Victim Advocate for our 3rd installment.
This is an episode dear to Season and this community as so many are survivors of sexual or violent crimes. Join us as we grow in our advocacy and understanding while Mark talks about his vital role. (we may even see his partner Walker) This goes out with a gentle warning as the topic is serious and for some, comes with a trigger warning. While we keep the conversation moving, we think you'll find Mark's demeanor and skill set refreshing and kind during more direct portions of the conversation. We are grateful for his time and the awareness he brings on behalf of so many in our communities. This is an important discussion for our times. We believe it brings encouragement knowing some people have devoted themselves to being there for people in the hardest moments of their lives.
Whether you are already an advocate, are hoping to grow in your advocacy, or *need to know* there are human beings out there who pursue jobs that provide a secret safe place in times of need..... this is the one for you.
If you or someone you know needs help or are a survivor of a violent crime, reach out! Here are some national and local numbers for you. Go to
https://www.verywellmind.com/national-helpline-database-4799696
Hang in there - we care - there is REAL HELP available.
MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST(S)
Mark Kloehn has been a Washington State Certified Sexual Assault and Crime Victim Advocate for Lutheran Community Services Northwest (LCSNW) in Spokane, Wa. since 2010. He graduated with a degree in social research. Upon graduation he had no specific plan with what he wanted to do, so continued his job managing a video store until they became obsolete. He then went back to school to become a certified personal trainer to open a turn-key fitness center. During this transition in his life, a friend convinced him to volunteer as a crisis response advocate for their regional rape crisis center. Meeting the caliber of people that did this work Mark discovered his purpose and after a year of volunteering, he became a full-time paid advocate with LCSNW.
Mark began his career with LCSNW as their Education and Prevention Specialist. A role that threw him into a world of public speaking and event organizing to raise awareness of sexual violence and LCSNW’s services. Since then Mark has held several roles with LCSNW transitioning into providing direct services to all victims of traumatic crimes. As a community-based victim advocate, Mark answers their 24/7 sexual assault crisis line, responds to hospitals when sexual assault victims present there for a sexual assault forensic exam, helps victim/survivors navigate the civil and criminal justices systems, safety plans with them, and provide ongoing support to them for as long as they choose to access services. In 2018 Mark became the handler and caregiver of a courthouse facility dog named Walker. Currently, Mark and Walker can be found partnering with the Spokane Police Department to support victims of cold cases that are being reopened due to the testing of backlogged sexual assault kits. He also goes on lots of walks.
You can find Mark and Walker on Walkers Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/walk_with_walker/
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~ Audio Video Production ~ Josue Garcia, Season Cromwell