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ADDITIONAL HELP IN TIMES OF CRISIS

Have you ever wondered, “Who would be there to help us when tragedy strikes?” Besides public safety personnel, a unique non-profit organization has stepped up to fill that gap in El Dorado County and Folsom. Whether it is responding to officer-involved shootings, auto fatalities, drownings, homicides, suicides, violent crimes, SIDS deaths, or any other kinds of crises, the chaplains of the Sierra Law Enforcement Chaplaincy are regularly called upon to respond to traumatic incidents all over the county and in Folsom, both to meet the needs of law enforcement personnel and our civilians. The chaplains provide on-scene support by giving emotional and spiritual assistance to officers, victims, witnesses, and survivors. After the crises, the chaplains follow up and help people in a variety of ways.

Chaplain Tim Thompson, who is the founder of SLEC, says, “I am extremely happy to announce a great addition to our staff – Chaplain Betsy Vanderpool who is joining us as our Executive Director and Senior Chaplain. Betsy has the best credentials you could ask for this position. She possesses a Masters Degree in Leadership and Spiritual Formation from Vanguard University Seminary, and a Masters in Psychology from National University. She is an ordained minister with the Evangelical Covenant Church Denomination. She has served as a therapist and pastor in Northern California for the past 15 years. Additionally, she has been a chaplain with SLEC the last two years. She is currently on the pastoral staff at Bayside Church of Placerville. We are all pleased to welcome her to our staff.”

Betsy Vanderpool

Founded 28 years ago in El Dorado County by Rev. Timothy W. Thompson, the Sierra Law Enforcement Chaplaincy has become an indispensable aide to law enforcement agencies and citizens in crisis in our communities. Sierra Law Enforcement chaplains provide an amazing array of services including on-call availability—24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Chaplains assist officers by riding with them in their squad cars, meeting them at crime scenes, and being with them at briefings or roll call. They also provide counseling and referrals, call-outs for traumatic and critical incidents plus officer-involved shootings, Critical Incident Stress Debriefings, grief support, victim assistance, death notifications, law enforcement funerals/memorials/weddings, veteran and military services, and they serve as liaisons to the churches and religious community.

The Sierra Law Enforcement Chaplaincy is a 501(c)3 corporation approved by the IRS to receive private, charitable, tax-deductible donations. SLEC receives no government funding. The Sierra Law Enforcement Chaplaincy is solely supported through the generosity of individuals, businesses, peace officers, peace officer associations, and churches.

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