From our Executive Director
Thirteen years ago, I started volunteering with South Valley Services (SVS). I wanted to give back to my community, and I remember looking online and finding an agency called South Valley Sanctuary (we have since changed the name to South Valley Services). I called and talked with their Volunteer Coordinator and told her that I was willing to help in any way. My volunteer job was to sort donations. I was touched when I saw this humble operation at the time; SVS had around 14 staff members a $600,000 budget and was as grassroots as you could get. All the staff would eat lunch together, and it was a tight group. I loved what they were trying to do and found myself coming to SVS as many times as I could. At first monthly, then weekly.
I love their vision to end violence and support those impacted by it, and I knew that we all have a role to play in this work. As I start my 6th year as Executive Director and hiring our 43rd staff member with a budget of over two million dollars, I am so proud to be a part of this fantastic organization. We have grown through much adversity, this last year and a half have been hard, but I was reminded of the fantastic agency that I found so many years ago through it. SVS remains a place where the staff wants to stop violence through the help of community support and a board of directors that genuinely care for our team and the success of our organization.
I invite you all to find how you can fit in with our agency. Maybe you belong to another organization, and you want to collaborate? Maybe you want to serve on an amazing board? Perhaps you are like I was looking to volunteer, or you wish to donate to our cause financially? We need you and will welcome your help. So don’t hesitate to reach out to us and see what works for you. It is with the help of all that we can end violence and continue this work!
Jen
