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CRM News / Articles
Introduction to CRM
By: CRM Staff
November 2021
What happens to the family whose home lies in a smoldering pile of ashes? To the parents who've lost their precious child in the crossfire of a gang shooting? To the woman who's left abused and battered—again?
Faith-based Crisis Response Ministry engages emergencies like these by dispatching teams of crisis intervention specialists to help victims within minutes of a critical incident.
WHAT IS A CRISIS?
A crisis is any event or situation that overwhelms a person's ability to cope, brings on emotional, spiritual, and physical imbalance, and leaves victims feeling confused, anxious, or helpless.
WHEN DID CRISIS RESPONSE MINISTRY BEGIN?
Crisis Response Ministry began in 2016 when a group of concerned individuals—counselors, chaplains, and others experienced in disaster response—saw the need for 24/7 quick response teams to assist victims of criminal acts and critical incidents. These victims would include those directly affected, along with family members, witnesses, caregivers, and first responders.
These CRM founders possessed years of crisis intervention experience. They had deep, trust-based relationships with first responders and emergency management officials in their respective service areas. What began as outreach in the North Central and East Texas regions has grown to include service chapters across Texas, each one employing CRM’s distinctive strategy: go to the victim.
HOW SOON AFTER A CRIMINAL INCIDENT DOES CRM ENGAGE?
Once contacted by law enforcement, CRM's Crime Victim Services Unit arrives on the scene, often within minutes of the incident, and begins Level 1 intervention for the next 72 hours.
WHAT KIND OF EMERGENCY HELP IS GIVEN?
The CRM team assesses the victim's needs and secures emergency shelter, food, and transportation when needed. The victim receives acute stress counseling and is transferred to a secure location if facing the danger of further emotional or physical harm.
HOW DOES CRM HELP ASSAULT VICTIMS?
Because physical assault brings debilitating trauma, CRM crisis responders accompany victims who need medical attention or who must undergo forensic testing.
DOES CRM'S INVOLVEMENT EXTEND BEYOND THE FIRST 72 HOURS?
Yes. Our Level 2 advocacy can last from a few hours to several years. Victims are given referrals to community and faith-based agencies, access to spiritual and clinical counseling, long-term sheltering, child advocacy help, and victims' funding assistance. These efforts accelerate a victim's transition from the crisis to long-term recovery.
ARE SOME CRIME VICTIMS WARY OF THE LEGAL PROCESS?
All too often, this is the case. Our caseworkers provide emotional and spiritual support and accompaniment to victims throughout the criminal justice process. This CRM advocacy is crucial in seeing that victims stay involved and cooperate with law enforcement personnel.
WHY IS THIS ADVOCACY SO IMPORTANT?
We have learned that victims who become isolated from law enforcement can hinder investigations and successful criminal prosecution of perpetrators.
CRM's work to bring the victim to emotional stability and wholeness helps assure that justice is served in the victim's particular case and our Texas communities at large.
DOES CRM PARTNER WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT?
Yes. CRM’s engagement with law enforcement is twofold.
First, CRM is a "force multiplier," increasing law enforcement personnel's reach and effectiveness by providing victims with immediate, on-scene assistance. This engagement frees investigators and law enforcement officers to focus their efforts on investigating and solving crime.
Second, CRM vigorously supports first responder well-being by providing confidential, critical incident stress debriefings and personal counseling. Without attention, cumulative trauma and stress can diminish a responder's performance and, in the case of police officers, can lead to a breakdown of law enforcement-community relations.
HOW DOES THIS PARTNERSHIP IMPACT LOCAL COMMUNITIES?
Law officers who are mentally, emotionally, and spiritually strong can better serve the needs of our Texas communities. Tension lessens, trust grows, and communication between officers and citizens improves. CRM works closely with thirty-five municipal police departments and ten county agencies in its service areas.
On-call 24/7, CRM is Texas' only crisis intervention ministry that arrives at the scene of a critical incident to serve both victims and first responders to lessen the impact of trauma and accelerate the recovery and restoration process.
CAN I JOIN IN CRM'S EFFORTS IN MY COMMUNITY?
Yes! Click here to learn how you can join the CRM volunteer team.
HOW CAN I SUPPORT THE WORK OF CRM?
CRM intervention and services are provided free of charge to those in need and are made possible through the charitable contributions of interested friends. Your generous donation will provide thousands of hours of crisis intervention and advocacy. All gifts to Crisis Response Ministry are tax-deductible. Click here to make a contribution.
CRM News / Articles
Intoduction to CRM
By: CRM Staff
November 2021
What happens to the family whose home lies in a smoldering pile of ashes? To the parents who've lost their precious child in the crossfire of a gang shooting? To the woman who's left abused and battered—again?
Faith-based Crisis Response Ministry engages emergencies like these by dispatching teams of crisis intervention specialists to help victims within minutes of a critical incident.
WHAT IS A CRISIS?
A crisis is any event or situation that overwhelms a person's ability to cope, brings on emotional, spiritual, and physical imbalance, and leaves victims feeling confused, anxious, or helpless.
WHEN DID CRISIS RESPONSE MINISTRY BEGIN?
Crisis Response Ministry began in 2016 when a group of concerned individuals—counselors, chaplains, and others experienced in disaster response—saw the need for 24/7 quick response teams to assist victims of criminal acts and critical incidents. These victims would include those directly affected, along with family members, witnesses, caregivers, and first responders.
These CRM founders possessed years of crisis intervention experience. They had deep, trust-based relationships with first responders and emergency management officials in their respective service areas. What began as outreach in the North Central and East Texas regions has grown to include service chapters across Texas, each one employing CRM’s distinctive strategy: go to the victim.
HOW SOON AFTER A CRIMINAL INCIDENT DOES CRM ENGAGE?
Once contacted by law enforcement, CRM's Crime Victim Services Unit arrives on the scene, often within minutes of the incident, and begins Level 1 intervention for the next 72 hours.
WHAT KIND OF EMERGENCY HELP IS GIVEN?
The CRM team assesses the victim's needs and secures emergency shelter, food, and transportation when needed. The victim receives acute stress counseling and is transferred to a secure location if facing the danger of further emotional or physical harm.
HOW DOES CRM HELP ASSAULT VICTIMS?
Because physical assault brings debilitating trauma, CRM crisis responders accompany victims who need medical attention or who must undergo forensic testing.
DOES CRM'S INVOLVEMENT EXTEND BEYOND THE FIRST 72 HOURS?
Yes. Our Level 2 advocacy can last from a few hours to several years. Victims are given referrals to community and faith-based agencies, access to spiritual and clinical counseling, long-term sheltering, child advocacy help, and victims' funding assistance. These efforts accelerate a victim's transition from the crisis to long-term recovery.
ARE SOME CRIME VICTIMS WARY OF THE LEGAL PROCESS?
All too often, this is the case. Our caseworkers provide emotional and spiritual support and accompaniment to victims throughout the criminal justice process. This CRM advocacy is crucial in seeing that victims stay involved and cooperate with law enforcement personnel.
WHY IS THIS ADVOCACY SO IMPORTANT?
We have learned that victims who become isolated from law enforcement can hinder investigations and successful criminal prosecution of perpetrators.
CRM's work to bring the victim to emotional stability and wholeness helps assure that justice is served in the victim's particular case and our Texas communities at large.
DOES CRM PARTNER WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT?
Yes. CRM’s engagement with law enforcement is twofold.
First, CRM is a "force multiplier," increasing law enforcement personnel's reach and effectiveness by providing victims with immediate, on-scene assistance. This engagement frees investigators and law enforcement officers to focus their efforts on investigating and solving crime.
Second, CRM vigorously supports first responder well-being by providing confidential, critical incident stress debriefings and personal counseling. Without attention, cumulative trauma and stress can diminish a responder's performance and, in the case of police officers, can lead to a breakdown of law enforcement-community relations.
HOW DOES THIS PARTNERSHIP IMPACT LOCAL COMMUNITIES?
Law officers who are mentally, emotionally, and spiritually strong can better serve the needs of our Texas communities. Tension lessens, trust grows, and communication between officers and citizens improves. CRM works closely with thirty-five municipal police departments and ten county agencies in its service areas.
On-call 24/7, CRM is Texas' only crisis intervention ministry that arrives at the scene of a critical incident to serve both victims and first responders to lessen the impact of trauma and accelerate the recovery and restoration process.
CAN I JOIN IN CRM'S EFFORTS IN MY COMMUNITY?
Yes! Click here to learn how you can join the CRM volunteer team.
HOW CAN I SUPPORT THE WORK OF CRM?
CRM intervention and services are provided free of charge to those in need and are made possible through the charitable contributions of interested friends. Your generous donation will provide thousands of hours of crisis intervention and advocacy. All gifts to Crisis Response Ministry are tax-deductible. Click here to make a contribution.
Helping Victims
Helping Victims
Mailing Address
PO Box 131597
Tyler, TX 75713
Office Address
401 E. Front Street
Suite 138
Tyler, TX 75702
Useful Links
Crisis Response Ministry is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. All contributions are tax deductible within guidelines of U.S. law.
