What's your job title at AVP and how would you describe what you do here?
As the Director of Community Services, I provide in-office as well as in-school therapy and clinical support to individuals, families and school communities adversely impacted by the trauma of violence and violent crime. In addition, I provide crisis response and grief counseling in varied communities seeking support to cope with sudden traumatic events that result in loss. I also provide training around issues of trauma as it relates to violence, violence prevention, vicarious trauma and grief/loss.
Why did you decide to get into victim services?
I enjoy the challenges of simultaneously working with diverse populations of people, diverse communities and the myriad of systems that impact how our services are provided.
What part of your job means the most to you?
The most meaningful part of my job is being able to develop relationships with so many individuals and families who taught me invaluable lessons of courage, faith, hope and resilience. I am very grateful and appreciative of them and my colleagues.
Is there anything you'd like to focus more of your effort toward as further define your role here?
In the future I would like to work to help build more collaborative relationships for the purpose of service expansion to under-served populations, training and violence prevention. I'd also like to use animals for trauma response and support.
