Office for Victims of Crime Funding 1st Victim Advocacy Corps
The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), under the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, and the National Organization for Victim Advocacy (NOVA), officially launched the Victim Advocacy Corps, a first-of-its-kind pilot program designed to elevate the next generation of youth leaders in victim services. With funding from OVC, the inaugural cohort of 16 college students will receive victim advocacy training, credentialing, mentorship and a paid nine-month internship in a local victim service agency.
“It is a true honor to be part of this historic program, as victim advocacy is about elevating the voices of those impacted by crime as they regain their strength in the face of tragedy,” said OVC Director Kristina Rose. “I’m thankful to the students who are starting their advocacy journey. I have no doubt these torchbearers will inspire a generation of victims’ rights and services community advocates for years to come. The mentorship, training, and credentialing they will receive in the program will bolster their leadership and passion while making a difference for many survivors across the country.”
“NOVA’s Victim Advocacy Corps comes at a critical time in our nation’s history when youth across the country are mobilized and passionate about change,” said Claire Ponder Selib, NOVA’s Executive Director. “We are proud of these young advocates, who are devoted to public service and uplifting the voices of all survivors of crime.”
The following 16 fellows were selected for the victim advocacy internship:
- Janeese Brisbo and Shaina Rae Barrows, from Aaniiih Nakoda College, Fort Belknap, Mont.
- Ian Bolden, KeiJuan Neese and Saniyah Turner, from Coahoma Community College, Clarksdale, Miss.
- Priscilla Berrios and Kayden Williams, from Gallaudet University, Washington, D.C.
- Grace Chungu, Krishna Lund-Brown and Rowyn Raze, from Regis University, Denver, Colo.
- Sophie Anderson Haynie, Thanh Nguyen, Sicilee Silversmith and Felicia Tuchman, from University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, N.M.
- Aldo Jafet Perez Flores and Brianda Vasquez, from The University of Texas at El Paso, El Paso, Texas.
The fellows will begin their advocacy journey at NOVA’s 2024 Annual Conference & Training. The theme of this year’s conference and training is “50 & Forward: Advancing Our Advocacy,” celebrating the 50th anniversary of NOVA. The event will be held July 29 - August 1, 2024, at the Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit the trynova.org webpage. To learn more about NOVA’s Victim Advocacy Corps, please visit the Elevating the Next Generation of Youth Leaders webpage.
About the Office of Justice Programs
The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership, grants, training, technical assistance and other resources to improve the nation's capacity to prevent and reduce crime; advance equity and fairness in the administration of justice; assist victims; and uphold the rule of law. More information about OJP and its program offices – the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Bureau of Justice Statistics, National Institute of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office for Victims of Crime, and SMART Office – can be found at www.ojp.gov.
About the Office for Victims of Crime
OVC is committed to enhancing the Nation’s capacity to assist crime victims and to providing leadership in changing attitudes, policies, and practices to promote justice and healing for all victims of crime. OVC awards millions of dollars annually in victim compensation and assistance in every U.S. state and some territories, as well as for training, technical assistance, and other capacity-building programs to enhance service providers’ ability to support victims of crime. More information about OVC can be found at ovc.ojp.gov.
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OFFICE: ovc.ojp.gov
CONTACT: OJP Media at [email protected]