It is with bittersweet emotions as we share updates with our Board. Many of you know MAAV's long-time Board President, Joan Bell, who committed almost 20 years of her life to MAAV. Joan Bell has been an integral part of MAAV's success. Joan Bell decided to step down from the Board this year. As she transitions away from this position she has some words she would like to share with the community.

Joan Bell says, "I came on board in March of 2003 with the encouragement from then President Detective Mike Bloom. I remember Mike was helping me with a recreation program I was running at the time called “Ski Patrol”. We were coming home one night on the bus and Mike said, “hey there is a great organization I’m involved in that I think would be a great fit for you”, and that was the beginning of the end… I had 3 young daughters at the time, and I thought this is wonderful, an organization that educates the community on Domestic Violence. Little did I know what a remarkable organization it would evolve into over the years.

Not only educating the community about domestic violence but having programming that educates the community about bullying prevention, teen dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, being able to offer peer mentoring, a student action board in the high school, and a domestic violence support group. Having healthy relationship programs in the curriculum at high school, middle school, and now elementary schools are asking for the fundamental building blocks for their children. Melrose is lucky to have an organization within the community that cares and offers so much to its residents, few communities can say this.

I’ve always said I joined the Board so I could educate my children and others letting them know what you say matters. I wanted them to know what a healthy relationship should be, and I wanted them to know what resources are available in our community. MAAV far exceeded my expectations."