After graduating from CU Boulder with bachelor's degrees in psychology and literature, Floyd-Haupt wanted meaningful hands-on experience. She chose to volunteer with MESA because "they had the best volunteer training program around." "There's great support for all the volunteers and for the cause," she said.

As a volunteer on MESA's 24-hour hotline, Floyd-Haupt responds to calls three times a month for 12 hours at a time. She attends multiple monthly meetings to receive on-going training, information and supervision so she can provide the most up-to-date and accurate information to callers.

Floyd-Haupt often helps women report an assault to the police. "I encourage the victims to tell their story. You can build such a deep level of trust between strangers," she said. "You see a side of people you wouldn't generally see: their heart opening up, asking for help," she added.

Calmly and compassionately helping victims tell their story also "helps change the perspective of the policemen and others involved. They don't just hear a victim complaining anymore."

"The more you talk about [sexual assault] the more you change perceptions. We're moving to end sexual assault, but we're also changing sexual assault as it's viewed by our society. I believe if you change one person's mind, you change many people's minds-you can really change the world," said Floyd-Haupt.

Melody Wollgren, Client Services Coordinator for MESA, asserted that Floyd-Haupt "has repeatedly gone above and beyond the commitment of a typical volunteer. She frequently provides personal advocacy for survivors and takes on many additional responsibilities to ensure that their needs are being met."

Floyd-Haupt also volunteers with MESA's fundraising events including Brave, Bold and Beautiful and the Canine Classic. Wollgren pointed out that "On more than one occasion, Floyd-Haupt has been able to coordinate a successful clothing sale to benefit MESA using her resources within the community."

Floyd-Haupt has been volunteering for MESA for over a year and plans to continue. "Rape crisis intervention is my calling. It's shaped who I am and helped me to be a better person. I love this work and I love MESA."

Wollgren summed up Floyd-Haupt's impact: "Time and again, she has displayed dedication, compassion and support to the many survivors of sexual assault who call MESA for assistance. She truly makes a difference in helping to end sexual assault in our community."

For information about volunteering with Moving to End Sexual Assault (MESA) or other agencies, call the Volunteer Connection at 303-444-4904, or go to our Volunteer Central.