[Concord, NH]— The AmeriCorps Victim Witness Assistance (AVAP) program will join the nationwide celebration of AmeriCorps Week, May 8-15, spotlighting the vital work done by AmeriCorps members in communities across New Hampshire since the national service program began 16 years ago. Members of the AVAP program will join their fellow AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps VISTA members at the New Hampshire Statehouse on Wednesday May 12th. Members of the legislature plan to recognize AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps VISTA members on the Senate and House floor during the opening session.

“We are proud to be part of AmeriCorps and grateful for the AVAP members who are helping victims of domestic and sexual violence and stalking,” said Meg Dugan, the AVAP program director. Since 1994 AVAP members have assisted over 40,000 survivors in New Hampshire.

The AmeriCorps Victim Assistance Program (AVAP) addresses critical public safety needs through community service and promotes a lifetime commitment to volunteerism. AVAP is a multi-agency collaboration to ensure direct services are available to victims of domestic and sexual violence and stalking. AVAP provides members with an experience that instills a commitment to civic engagement and responsibility. Direct Services are based on an empowerment model of advocacy and support for each victim’s choices. Program design is responsive to local community needs in development of services, sites for member placement and recruitment of a diverse member corps. AVAP is a program affiliated with Volunteer NH! and the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. Many of the AVAP members are placed at member agencies of the Coalition. For more information on the AmeriCorps Victim Assistance Program contact Meg Dugan at 603-224-6466 or email: meg@avap1.org, or visit our website www.avap1.org.