Jodi Ames

Master of Science in Psychology - Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Jodi Ames volunteers for Waypoint Services for Women and Children as a domestic violence advocate. Jodi said that she does this work because domestic violence is something which impacts so many women, and she wanted to give back.

Jodi went on to share: “I started volunteering with Waypoint back when I was working on my Bachelor's degree through Kaplan University (Now Purdue Global). A teacher actually suggested we volunteer ,and so I signed up. I've been averaging 600+ hours a year ever since.

The experience has also been very good for my Master's program as I use much of what I've learned with my volunteer role. Having compassion, empathy and listening to the survivors is the most important part of my role as a domestic violence advocate, and as a master's level student. The psychological pattern of abuse is so damaging to the psyche of a victim, so having a good solid root in the psychology department also helps me there.

I participate in peer counseling with victims as well as reporting to hospital calls when a victim is taken to the hospital as a part of an assault. I help the victim as they encounter hospital staff and police as they go through the process of reporting and documenting the abuse. By being present and acting as a liaison for Waypoint, I connect them to ongoing services which they may find helpful in their recovery from the abuse.”