What We Are Here For

A piece on Advocacy

we are here to listen
not to work miracles

we are here to help people discover what they are feeling
not to make the feelings go away

we are here to help people identify their options
not to decide for them what they should do

we are here to discuss steps with people
not to take the step with them

we are here to help people discover their own strength
not to rescue them and leave them still vulnerable

we are here to help people discover they can help themselves
not to take responsibility for them

we are here to help people learn to choose
not to make it unnecessary for them to make difficult choices

we are here to provide support for change

-adapted from NTAC on Family Violence