What Does An Advocate Do?
The role of an advocate is as varied as the advocates themselves. Some, with support from our coordinators and assistance from their own personal networks, have helped their partners to find places to live, meaningful jobs, medical and financial representation, transportation to and from jobs and appointments, and opportunities to participate in community activities. Others have helped with household chores such as shopping, cleaning and balancing checkbooks. Advocates may also intervene on behalf of their partners with various legal entities including, but not limited to, medical and educational institutions along with landlords, employers and social services.
How Much Time Does an Advocate Spend?
This varies from one relationship to the next and is determined by the advocate and his/her partner. Who asks this? “Advocates are asked to decide how much time they feel will meet the needs of their partners.”
How Are Advocates Matched With a Partner?
One of our coordinators starts the matching process by getting to know the person with the disability. This coordinator learns what they can regarding both personal history and some of the issues this person is facing. Additionally, our coordinator gives consideration to the role a Citizen Advocate might play in this person’s life as well as the qualities the Citizen Advocate should possess. Then we go to people we trust and ask, “Who do you know that…” We then talk with the potential advocate, learn as much as we can about them and then if what we have learned suggests a good match, we introduce the two people. We meet together several times and then both people decide if they would like to be matched in a citizen advocacy relationship. We help with first steps and then we support the advocate as needed.
How Long Does a Relationship Last?
Our coordinators generally ask each Citizen Advocate to commit to a long-term, typically lifetime, commitment to their partner. This holds true unless a Citizen Advocate specifically requests a short-term relationship.
Why Have I Not Heard of You Before?
Citizen Advocacy of Chester County does not advertise nor do we seek publicity because the work we do is quite personal and generally conducted person-to-person. In the course of that work, we learn a lot about various individuals and their lives. Out of respect for each individual, we do our utmost to protect their privacy. There are times, however, when an individual allows us to share their story. When that is the case, you will find it amongst our stories.
Potential citizen advocates come to our attention through referrals made by board members, existing citizen advocates and friends of Citizen Advocacy of Chester County. Individuals referred to us in this way are invited to learn more about our organization and consider becoming a citizen advocate.
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