Gary Williams wants to be on the front lines when it comes to helping curing society’s social ills.

Williams is a volunteer with the Crime Victim’s Crisis Center, located on Clark Street in Albert Lea. Williams volunteers once a month, requiring him to be on call for a full weekend. He carries a cellular phone so that he can be reached at a moment’s notice. He is also asked to stay within the county when he is on call.

When a victim of a crime needs somebody to talk to, or needs advice, they are put in touch with an advocate like Williams.

Williams, who is an elementary educator, had to undergo around 50 hours of training to become an advocate. Williams wants to be able to give people the comfort and support they need to get through a personal crisis, he said.

&uot;It’s really rewarding when they want to empower themselves in a positive way,&uot; he said. &uot;You’re touching people’s lives when they are most vulnerable.&uot;

Williams also thinks that being a non-threatening male can come in handy during domestic abuse cases, when a women needs to talk to somebody with whom she can develop trust.

Williams also admits that being an advocate comes with some disadvantages, as well.

&uot;It’s not always easy to wake up at two in the morning,&uot; he said.

Above all else, Williams said he wants to see Freeborn County and Albert Lea be a welcoming community that is open to all types of people.

&uot;You see a side of the community that people don’t really know,&uot; he said. &uot;Albert Lea has the same problems as the big city does, on a smaller scale.&uot;

Williams enjoys when all the advocates get together and share their experiences, so they can all learn from each other. Williams said some of the advocates were victims of abuse themselves at one time and now want to give back. Hearing all these stories helps Williams prepare for the next situation that might be just around the corner.

&uot;Every situation is so unique,&uot; he said.

If you are interested in volunteering at the Crime Victim’s Crisis Center, call Deb at 377-5460.