FARMINGTON — The Sexual Assault Victims Emergency Services will begin its weekly fall sexual assault crisis helpline advocacy training program on Tuesday, Sept. 14, from 5 to 8 p.m. SAVES is looking for local volunteers who would like to give their time to the cause.

Twice a year, SAVES in Farmington holds an open training for all those interested in becoming rape crisis help line advocates in the Franklin County area.

The training will begin at 5 p.m. Sept. 14, in the Holman House offices of SAVES, 227 Main St., on the second floor. The trainings will include a series of Tuesday night sessions, as well as two Saturday sessions to work on help line communication labs. Any potential advocates must be at least 18 years of age and the training is free to any and all volunteering their time to the help line.

SAVES advocates come from any and all places and walks of life. Students, professionals, males, females, are all welcome to attend the training. The advocacy training is geared towards giving all advocates specialized training in crisis intervention skills, legal and medical response to sexual violence information, the use of a pager system while on call and ongoing supervision.

“It is such an incredible feeling to be able to provide support to someone in need, to be able to walk with them through their darkest hours,” said Shanna, a graduate of the advocacy training program.

For UMF students of certain majors, credits may be available. For further information or an application for the program, contact SAVES by phone at 778-9522, by e-mail at savesrcc@savesrapecrisis.org or come by the office at 227 Main St., Holman House, second floor.