RCBA Board of Directors 2006-2007 - Riverside County Bar ...

Probation officers also enjoy thebenefits of doing community service.For example, the Adult Division organizesthe annual Christmas charityrun by the Alternatives to DomesticViolence (ADV) program and obtainsdonations from each of the outlyingprobation offices. Among theitems requested are small kitchenappliances, beauty supplies, and, ofcourse, toys.A few generous probation officersgive up their day to drive around collectingthe gifts and delivering them.ADV organizes the items, and thenthe women and children in shelterscan pick out presents for each other.Most of these brave women leavetheir abusers with nothing morethan their children and the clotheson their backs. If you are interestedin donating to this program, pleasecall ADV at (951) 683 0829.The cycle of violence affects generationsof families, which in turncan result in an increase in criminalactivity. Probation officers believe itis very important to support victimsin their quest to better themselvesand their children’s lives. Manytimes, we see generations of familiescome through our doors. We seethe damage violence and drugs cancause. This is just one example ofthe many acts of community serviceour department does.The deputy probation officerreceives little recognition or publicity.You will not see us on the newsor in the papers, but we are perpetuallypresent in the community andin the judicial system. Whetherparticipating in community service,supervising probationers, or preparingreports for the court, we arethere.Patricia Taylor is a senior probation officerwith the County of Riverside.Riverside Lawyer, November 2006 15