Foundation Award for Service

I. Philosophy of Service

I have been very lucky that my passion to promote justice for women and domestic violence survivors is something that I am able to do as part of my profession and my community service. When I began my service journey I was not sure exactly what I had to offer and how I would contribute, but I knew that I wanted to be more involved in my community. I quickly learned that I did have something to offer and that there was a great need in our community. Domestic violence survivors have many complex needs and it can be very difficult for them to move forward with the trauma they have experienced. These situations can be very hard, but I know that I am trying hard to be a good advocate and to empower survivors. And there are so many rewarding experiences! For example, when a woman signs a rental lease and has her own name on a lease for the first time in her life and I know that her and her children no longer have to live in a home where at any moment violence may erupt. I am very thankful that I took the leap of faith and got involved service work and I encourage others to do the same!

II. Examples of Service

• Rebound Foundation Board of Directors
• Block Relationship Violence Prevention Educator
• Harmony House Board of Directors
• Greene County Domestic Violence Task Force
• Stop the Violence Conference Organizer
• Springfield GreenDot Community Violence Prevention Team

III. Future Commitment to Service

I plan to continue to support any and all community efforts to address domestic violence. This certainly will include my continued role in the Rebound Foundation. I plan to continue my advocacy work with survivors and to assist in the growth of the Block Relationship Violence Prevention program within Springfield Public Schools.

I also intend to continue my work with the annual Stop the Violence Conference at MSU.

Lastly. I am very excited to be part of the new Victim Advocacy Certificate program within the Criminology Department. More and more of our students are interested in victim advocacy and I am thrilled to offer this to our students.

IV. Topics related to service for which you are available for presentations and/or consultations (e.g., public affairs, relationship of service to teaching, and relationship of service to research).

Relationship and domestic violence, dating and domestic violence prevention, bystander intervention, and engaging in community service.