- V.O.I.C.E.S. Sonoma featured as 'People of the Month' in La Voz newspaper
- McPherson Elementary School Community Garden project featured in the Napa Valley Register
- SF Chronicle features LAYLA Youth and ground-breaking Democracy Zone work
- Youth break ground for the McPherson Cultural Plaza, launching Nation's 1st Democracy Zone
History
- Blog
- View recent blog entries
- Member for
- 3 years 40 weeks
*My Story
- I am
An advocate for the rights of women and children. A follower of Christ. A lover of nature. A daughter, a sister, a friend.
- I earn my daily bread
I am the Legal Services Program Manager at Napa Emergency Women’s Services. In this role, I support domestic violence victims to explore their options, file for restraining orders and custody, and accompany clients to court. I encourage my clients to understand the importance of maintaining healthy boundaries and seeking safety.
- How my leadership has changed as a result of OTV
I am more aware of the effect made by an active decision-making process, direct communication, and the simple act of speaking up. I am also reaching forward by setting goals in different areas of my life. I better understand the impact this has on my relationships with others, my role at work, and my self-confidence. I want to be proactive in the change I want to take place around me.
- Where I’ve come from and where I expect to be in the next 3-5 years
Since 1998, I have worked in the area of legal advocacy for domestic violence victims. I’ve always been interested in using my time and energy to help others in need, and empower those who have been victimized. When I began this work, fresh out of college, I didn’t realize how large the movement for domestic violence prevention was, or how much of a difference one person could make.
Today, I continue with an increased passion for this work and I want to use what I have to make an impact on my community. At this time, in addition to my direct-services role, I’m working on integrating a volunteer aspect to the court advocacy services in Napa, which would enable my agency to serve a greater number of domestic violence survivors.
Five years from now, I want know that I have done everything I can to increase awareness about domestic violence prevention and intervention, strengthen those who have been victimized, and prevent future cycles of domestic violence. In the long-term, it’s my dream that the women I work with today will be examples to their children, who will one day be able to develop healthy relationships of their own.
