About Us/History
McLeod Alliance for Victims of Domestic Violence Staff:
- Jo Piehl, Director
- Glynis Vacek, Advocacy Coordinator
- Jill Barrall, Legal Advocate
- Nora Young, Bilingual Advocate
mavdv@hutchtel.net
Jo speaks to civic organizations, and works with many agencies to write grants and secure funding. She is responsible for maintaining public relations and supporting staff. Jo is in charge of the “day to day business” of the Alliance. She’s the finance director and staff supervisor. She is responsible for making sure all the work by board and staff is in accordance with our mission.
advocate@hutchtel.net
Glynis works directly with victims. She assesses victims’ needs, assists writing Orders for Protection, and accompanies victims to court. She does safety planning with each victim based on their different situations, and consults with many agencies to help clients with self defined needs. Hospitals, Mental Health Units, and Law Enforcement can call Glynis to meet with victims at their location. Hospitals and clinics in McLeod County can contact her for information packets. Glynis also does age appropriate domestic violence education to 2nd grade students, middle school students, and high school students in McLeod County. In addition to client work, she chairs a committee, which coordinates the agency’s largest fundraiser, the “Strike Out the Violence” Bowlathon.
besafe@hutchtel.net
Jill works directly with clients, assists them through court (both in civil and criminal court proceedings), and coordinates our weekly support group. Jill is in charge of maintaining volunteer services. She prepares and presents training materials for all potential volunteers, and ensures that McLeod Alliance for Victims of Domestic Violence has an adequate volunteer staff to assist with many duties in our office. She’s the editor of the McLeod Alliance Safety Net Newsletter, which reaches more than 300 people each quarter. Anyone interested in volunteering may contact Jill.
endabuse@hutchtel.net
As the bilingual advocate, Nora does advocacy work with all clients, but specializes in servicing Spanish-speaking clients. She helps victims who need the proper documentation for work or residency in the U.S. She provides transportation to court and appointments for clients in the process to become naturalized citizens. She reviews agency brochures for proper Spanish translation.
McLeod Alliance 2009 Fiscal Year Fact Sheet
LOCALLY
From Oct. 2008 to Sept. 2009, McLeod Alliance for Victims of Domestic Violence, Inc. served 281 victims of domestic violence. 172 of these were new clients. 15 were men and 3 were teens.
MAVDV, Inc. provided legal advocacy to clients 528 times.
MAVDV, Inc. provided advocacy to children 5 times.
MAVDV, Inc. housed 21 persons in emergency safe housing in FY 2009.
MAVDV, Inc. staff, volunteers or backup answered 935 crisis and support calls in FY09.
MAVDV, Inc. provided training and orientation to 13 new volunteers or board members.
MAVDV, Inc gave 24 school, community and professional training presentations in an effort to increase public awareness of family violence. More than 1,243 people attended these presentations.
MAVDV, Inc. also made 653 referrals for services of other community organizations.
MAVDV, Inc. utilized over 1045 hours of volunteer services from at least 30 dedicated and caring members of the community.
In fiscal year 2009 law enforcement in McLeod County responded to at least 276 “domestic” calls.
MAVDV, Inc has served more than 3,080 victims since beginning in 1993.
MINNESOTA
During 2008, at least 21 women and 7 children were killed as a direct result of domestic violence in MN. At least 25 children have been left without a mother (MCBW 2008 Femicide Report) FEMICIDE: THE WILLFUL KILLING OF WOMEN.
At least 5 friends or family members were murdered in DV related situations.
NATIONALLY 90-95% of Domestic Violence Victims are women & children
Every 9 seconds in the U.S. a woman is assaulted or beaten.
Each year, medical expenses from domestic violence total at least $4 to $5 billion. Businesses forfeit another $100 million in lost wages, sick leave, absenteeism and non-productivity.
Each year, an estimated 8.8 million children witness domestic violence.
