Advocates for a Violence-Free Community

Advocates began serving Grand County in 1978 as an all-volunteer organization trained by the Grand County Mental Health Center to provide crisis intervention and advocacy services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Our 24-hour crisis hotline was established in 1981 with the incorporation as 501(c)3. In 1986, VALE (Victim Assistance and Law Enforcement) grant funding enabled the agency to hire the first Executive Director and expand and improve existing services.

In 1987, Advocates, the Sheriff’s Department and the District Attorney’s Office worked together to establish a pro-arrest policy in the county and established a protocol for calling an advocate every time law enforcement responded to a domestic disturbance.

In 2005, Advocates began coordinating and facilitating the Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Task Force with a mission of offender accountability and victim safety. The task force consists of representatives from agencies that work with victims and offenders.

Current Programs/Activities

In 2009, Advocates hired a former staff as the Executive Director. The agency is now operating with three staff. The Victim Services Coordinator has increased the level of service to clients by contacting the District Attorney’s office every week to see if there have been any arrests. She goes to all advisements and coordinates to have either staff or volunteers at each domestic violence/sexual assault court hearing. This has significantly increased our client interaction.

The Outreach Coordinator and Executive Director are providing presentations to membership groups such as Rotary and Lions giving participants the tools to “recognize, respond, and refer” when they see relationship violence. The Outreach Coordinator is working with the schools to expand the in-school curriculum and include a “body awareness” model for elementary school students. This will assist younger children in recognizing appropriate body boundaries and mitigate sexual assaults on children in our county.

Accomplishments

Advocates assisted victims 483 times in 2009. Staff or volunteers provided crisis counseling to 122 victims. Professional therapy was provided 18 times. Twenty-six individuals were safehoused for a total of 45 nights.

Presentations were given to over 100 students throughout both East and West Grand school districts. Staff presented to numerous agencies throughout the county, including a coordinated training with the Ending Violence Against Women Project in both the spring and the fall. This training provided law enforcement, prosecutors, and advocates valuable tools on proper response, investigation and prosecution of cases.

Mission Statement

Advocates for a Violence-Free Community is a non-profit, volunteer based organization whose mission is to end domestic violence in the Grand County Community. To accomplish this mission, Advocates provides extensive victim support services, information, prevention education and community awareness.

Philosophy Statement

Advocates for a Violence-Free Community is comprised of people who are involved in issues related to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Advocates operates as a place where these victims can receive confidential services in a safe and supportive environment. Our agency serves victims of all racial, social, ethnic, religious, sexual orientation and gender expression among all economic groups, ages and lifestyles. We oppose the use of violence as a means of control over others. We support and encourage equality in relationships and the concept of helping people assume power over their own lives.

Advocates belongs to the following organizations:

• Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence

• National Coalition Against Domestic Violence

• Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance

• Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault

ADVOCATES STAFF

Executive Director

Deb Bittner
dbittner@gcadvocates.org

Victim Services Coordinator

Sheila Kesler
skesler@gcadvocates.org

Outreach Coordinator

Chelsea Gould
cgould@gcadvocates.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Gigi Dominguez, President

Nancy Knoohuizen, Vice President/Secretary

Steve Radcliffe, Treasurer

Cynthia Rose

Roger Hedlund

Lizbeth Nabhan

Back To Top