Advocate a voice for those who have lost loved ones to violence

CEDAR RAPIDS — Penny Galvin became an advocate for people in need over 30 years ago because she wanted to give a voice to those who lack one because of circumstances, financial issues or the loss of a loved one to a violent death.

“I’m always for the underdog,” Galvin, director of the Survivors’ Program with Waypoint Services, said. “I was always a caretaker. People would always come to me for advice — like a sounding board. As an advocate you give them a voice. You walk beside someone and provide support.”

Galvin, 55, knew she wanted to work in human services while in college and started her career working with pregnant teens and single parents at Four Oaks.

She then had an opportunity to join Horizons in 2009 and became a victim advocate for the Survivors’ Program. The program supports and advocates for family and friends of those who have died in homicides and vehicular homicides. They also help victims of other violent crimes such as robbery, kidnapping and attempted murder.

Last year, when Horizons decided to go another direction and didn’t continue the program, Waypoint Services stepped in and took it over. Galvin went with the program and was named as director.

“It was a good fit with Waypoint because they offer so many other services that address domestic violence, housing issues and child care needs,” she said. “It’s such a blessing to be here.”

Galvin supervises four other advocates and manages the program that provides services to 14 counties: Benton, Des Moines, Henry, Iowa, Jefferson, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Lee, Linn, Poweshiek, Tama, Van Buren and Washington. She hasn’t given up taking cases herself because she has a “passion” to help people and feels it helps her be a better manager.

“I am fortunate to have a team of intelligent, caring advocates who believe in the program,” Galvin noted. “It’s not an easy job or an 8-to-5 job. It’s stressful and you see sad and horrific things. It’s so important to (have) a good balance of work and home life. You can’t think about the job 24/7.”

Each advocate has a region of more than one county to cover. They recently added a Spanish speaking advocate and are looking for ways to expand resources that many in rural areas may not have.

Galvin said the Survivors’ Program is needed because traumatic grief is different from other grief.

“It’s a shock and disbelief — a gut-wrenching grief when someone dies because of violence,” Galvin said. “I never pretend to understand what a family, experiencing this kind of loss, is going through, but we are all humans. This is a service you never want to need, but we are here for those who do.”

The advocates provide help with emergency crisis; death notification, assistance with funeral arrangements and crime scene cleanup; referrals for other services; support groups, therapy and counseling; case coordination through investigation, court hearings, trial and sentencing; dealing with media; and assistance through victim compensation programs.

The services are provided through a federal grant and are free to families and victims.

Galvin said sometimes families just need to know someone is on their side, or they need a liaison to help get information from law enforcement and prosecutors and explain the court process.

“Most families or victims feel like they have no control because the defendants have all the rights, and many times during a trial the victim’s name is dragged through the mud,” Galvin said.

In murder cases, the family also doesn’t get to grieve in private because the media may be covering the case, so an advocate can help them provide a statement or comments with less intrusion.

One of the most frustrating things for many families is having a trial delayed, which happened many times in the past year because of the pandemic. This year could be hectic for the advocates because many trials now are overlapping in busier counties.

Galvin said the relationship between the advocate and family members doesn’t always end after the trial. Some people in the program’s homicide support groups lost loved ones a few months ago, and some had a loss 12 years ago. Many families stay in contact with the advocates after conviction and sentencing.

“It’s difficult because these families will never go back to normal,” Galvin said. “It’s a new normal. A family never gets closure, even after a verdict, because that loved one still is gone.”

Comments: (319) 398-8318; trish.mehaffey@thegazette.com