A LETTER FROM OUR LEADERSHIP
Dear Beloved Community
As we began to dip our toe into seeing each other in-person in 2022, many of us were not sure how those interactions would go. Would we be comfortable? Should we gather with or without a mask? Would we be putting people at risk? There were so many questions!
We also learned so much about the value of virtual meetings, in that advocates not normally able to attend in person meetings were able to meet online. We know though, that many of you wanted to gather in-person. We were all yearning to see one another face to face, here the stories of loss and survival so that we could offer comfort in a space that is safe with those who understand them.
We know too that survival for survivors was compromised so that the normal way of surviving had to be retooled. We know for many survivors, being in close quarters and locked-down with the person who is causing them harm, safety and survivability was not to be found. The horrific circumstances, amplified by the pandemic lock downs, was deadly. Though recent times have been proven to be stressful to mind, body, and spirit with the loss of personal freedoms, financial stability, and in the worst case… our precious loved ones, there remains HOPE. That hope is rooted in the resilient human spirit, which was exemplified by advocates across the state and nation.
Beth Ready
Board President
Jan Christiansen
Executive Director
OUR VISION
GCADV envisions a Georgia free of domestic violence.
OUR MISSION
Collaborate. Advocate. Educate. Empower.
We empower survivors and the programs that serve them, we educate the public, and we advocate for responsive public policy. Our strength is in numbers, as we collaborate throughout Georgia to stop domestic violence.
OUR VALUES
- EQUITY - Everyone has access.
All have the tools they need to succeed, even as needs change over time. - WHOLENESS - Everyone has what they need.
All can be their authentic selves, feel cared for, and are supported to reach their full potentials. - FREEDOM - Everyone has agency.
All are free to fail, to make decisions, to share and to use their authentic, ethical voice.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2021-2022
OFFICERS
PRESIDENT, BETH READY
Director of Victim Witness Assist. Prog. Forsyth District Attorney’s Office, Cumming
VICE PRESIDENT,
MANISA LANCE
Director of Programs
Raksha, Inc.
Atlanta
TREASURER,
STEVE TEFFETELLER
Chief Financial Officer
Sta-Dry Roofing
Lilburn
SECRETARY,
MONICA KHANT
Executive Director
GA Asylum & Immigration Network, Atlanta
MEMBERS
JAMIE BORMANN
Deputy Director, Crisis Line & Safe House of Central GA, Macon
AMY CHENG
Litigation Associate, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, Macon
ELISA COVARRUBIAS
Chief Operating Officer, liveSafe Resources,
Atlanta
JOEL CORREA
Managing Attorney, Safe Families Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation, Atlanta
BARBARA GIBSON
Safehouse Director, Women's Resource Center to End DV, Decatur
SIMONE HYLTON
Deputy DA - DV Unit, Fulton Co. District Attorney's Office, Atlanta
AMMETA KALOKHE
Assistant Professor, Emory School of Medicine,
Atlanta
NATALIE JOHNSON, Ph.D.
Associate Director
of Criminal Justice,
Dalton State College, Dalton
WENDY LIPSHUTZ
Program Director, Shalom Bayit, Jewish Fam. & Career Services, Atlanta
KIMBERLY McCOY
Recruiter, HRG
Consulting Group,
Atlanta
NORMA MENDOZA
Multicultural Program Director, Cherokee Family Violence Center, Canton
MEMBER PROGRAMS 2021-2022
STATEWIDE STATISTICS
PROGRAMS
The Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence is the state leader in the movement to end violence against women and girls. We help to build the capacity of our member organizations, partners, and allies to ensure safe, compassionate, inclusive, and accessible services to survivors and their children exposed to violence. We do this through training, technical assistance, advocacy, and community outreach.
INITIATIVES
GCADV is also engaged in a variety of statewide collaborative projects designed to a) support the unique needs of historically marginalized communities; b) analyze and address trends and service barriers; c) assist victims with self-sufficiency goals; and d) provide coordinated access to domestic violence services throughout the state.
LEGLISLATIVE ADVOCACY
LEGISLATIVE WINS
In 2022, a survivor from Rep. Houston Gaines’ district (Athens) reached out to her legislator to share their disappointment that the recently passed Dating Violence TPO bill cut off the lookback period at 6 months and as a result she was not able to access a TPO and ultimately protect herself from her abuser. After hearing her story, Rep. Gaines successfully advocated for an extension of the lookback period from 6 months to 1 year.
SYSTEMS ADVOCACY
GCADV continues to engage in systems advocacy in coalition with our external partners. This year, GCADV:
Co-sponsored Pumpkins for Paid Leave with the organization 9to5 Georgia and other members of the GA Coalition for Paid Leave Atlanta to build support for paid leave for all workers across the state.
GCADV continues to partner with Women on the Rise as a part of the Anchor Team for the Communities Over Cages Campaign to close the Atlanta City Detention Center and repurpose the jail for services that actually support members of our community like mental health treatment, drug treatment, affordable housing, and workforce development. These are systems and services that actually prevent violence and improve public safety. In August we were able to pass several amendments to the Intergovernmental agreement between the City of Atlanta and Fulton County that will require greater oversight and data collection to determine how many people currently detained in Fulton County jail for nonviolent offenses could either be deferred to the Pre-Arrest Diversion program or released on their own recognizance.
GCADV's Director of Policy, Karimah Dillard, was interviewed by Fox 5’s George Chidi about firearms and domestic violence for The Next Atlanta. The program aired on July 20, 2022.
GCADV POLICY TASK FORCE
Local Advocacy Workshops
The Policy Director visited several domestic violence task forces throughout the state’s judicial circuits to facilitate local advocacy workshops with the goal of empowering local communities to address issues of concern at the local level.
TRAINING
GCADV offers a variety of trainings to domestic violence programs and other professionals to strengthen our state’s response to domestic violence and ensure that victims receive the best advocacy services possible. In 2022 we continued to provide virtual training while also beginning to incorporate in-person training for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. Below are some examples of trainings GCADV has developed for advocates and partner organizations.
JUSTICE FOR INCARCERATED SURVIVORS
Research indicates that up to 94% of incarcerated women have experienced physical violence from an intimate partner. Survivors are typically punished for protecting themselves or their children from harm or are coerced into criminalized activity by their abusive partners. When survivors are criminalized, the cycle of harm repeats.
The Justice For Incarcerated Survivors (JFIS) program, which started as a clemency project in 2015, shifted from a clemency model when mandatory minimums became required for certain criminalized offenses. The JFIS project now brings together pro-bono attorneys and advocates who work to gather all the information necessary to present to the Board of Pardons and Paroles, and provides post-release support for survivors reintegrating into the community. Through a post-conviction participatory defense model, survivors are invited to share their stories of intimate partner violence and their families and communities are also involved in supporting the efforts to secure the release of their loved ones.
BRIDGES
BRIDGES is the only Deaf-led domestic violence program in Georgia. From accessible communication to emotional support to housing to justice, we see the whole picture of what Deaf
survivors need. We break the isolation Deaf survivors feel and empower them to heal and build lives free from domestic violence through culturally appropriate advocacy and collaboration with hearing and Deaf community partners. BRIDGES connects helping professionals and builds collaboration so that together we meet the unique needs of Deaf, Deaf-Blind, and hard-of-hearing survivors. Our coadvocacy approach works in tandem with service providers and survivors - bridging the gaps and breaking down barriers to quality services for Deaf survivors.
BRIDGES has served over 70 Deaf and Hard of Hearing clients since 2019. BRIDGES has given over 25 presentations to community partners and the Deaf community. BRIDGES has been working to promote awareness of the importance of linguistic justice access to dismantle the communication barriers from any hearing organizations when it comes to serving Deaf communities, educating the Deaf community on power and dynamics and practicing community accountability, and being supportive of our victims/survivors.
COMMUNITY RISE
Community Relationships Informing Survivor Engagement (RISE) Program is specifically designed to support, engage, and honor all grassroots organizations who are on the ground in communities where survivors of color are under-resourced, by providing culturally relevant services to survivors of domestic violence (DV), and sexual assault (SA).
Leadership Training Series
Community RISE presented a Leadership Training Series exclusively for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Women who are working in the Domestic Violence movement. According to the Violence Policy Center, Georgia leads the nation for the rate at which African American Women experience violence. National evidence has also shed light on the disparity of black women's access and outreach to local DV services and resources in Georgia. This training Series is GCADV's response to gaps in services for all survivors of color. The trainings will include: Leadership for Women of Color (WOC), Understanding Budgets, Recruiting Board Members, Fundraising, and Networking.
Facilitators:
Diana Mancera is the Director of Membership and Programs at Jane Doe, INC., Massachusetts State Coalition Against SA & DV (JDI). She is also an active member of the GLBT Domestic Violence Coalition and a member of the leadership committee at the MA. Women of Color Network.
In 2012, Isa Woldeguiorguis began as the Executive Director of The Center for Hope and Healing (CHH) in Massachusetts and has worked in the anti-violence field for twenty years. Isa has held several statewide and national roles in the movement to end sexual and domestic violence.
ECONOMIC JUSTICE
Our Economic Justice Programs support coalition members with financial empowerment technical assistance and training opportunities. Our programs aim to help survivors access resources for their financial security so they can keep themselves and their families safe. In addition to the support we offer our members, we also coordinate a grant to survivors to help them start or maintain their small businesses.
CHILD & YOUTH PROJECT
The Child & Youth Project Director has been representing the needs of child and youth survivors of domestic violence in participation in strategy groups for implementing the state’s new Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Plan (CANPP).
As most are aware, the impact of recent decisions on VOCA funds for the upcoming fiscal year affected many programs, including the CYP. The project director, along with the aid of other Coalition staff, has been working on securing funding for the continuation of the Project.
GCADV is excited to share that the Child & Youth Project worked with the Emory University Rollins School of Public Health to perform an evaluation of the program. Child and Teen advocates and program directors were interviewed and surveyed about their needs.
It is with great sadness that GCADV shares that our Child and Youth Project Director, Gabrielle Green, passed away in July 2022 after enduring her battle with cancer. Gabrielle was incredibly passionate about her work and about preventing violence and trauma for current and future generations of children. She was a dedicated and hard-working member of GCADV’s team and has cultivated relationships with many of our member programs. We are heartbroken in this loss.
FINANCIALS 2021-2022
REVENUE
Fed/State Awards: $951,631
Membership Income: $73,134
Contributions: $256,271
Other Income: $35,095
Total: $1,316,131
EXPENSES
Program: $951,631
General/Admin: $80,788
Fund: $46,663
SPACE
Total: $1,376,765
Allstate
With assistance from the Allstate Foundation, furthering GCADV’s Don’t Knock the Hustle program, GCADV was able to support 950 advocates and survivors who took part in financial literacy and economic independence initiatives. Through Promise Place, Amani Women Center, and Pearls of Resilience - financial health, literacy, and centering survivor skills for entrepreneurship, were made possible in some of Georgia’s most underserved communities.
With assistance from Google, GCADV was able to expand our Don’t Knock the Hustle Match Savings program to provide $500 for 200 survivors. Individuals who identify as domestic violence survivors are provided with these funds toward their independent entrepreneurship and business endeavors.
DONORS 2021-2022
Thank you to all of our supporters!
Your support makes our work possible. Together we can help to transform the lives of survivors and their families. Together we can create thriving communities. Together we can save lives.
| Aarti Nangia | Elizabeth Jin | Michelle Easley |
| Aimee Maxwell | Elizabeth Peters | Monica Barnard |
| Alexcia Massey | Elizabeth Rosenwasser | Neil Hytowitz |
| Alicia Brown | Felicia Sanders | Nicole Brown |
| Allstate Foundation | Frederica Pemberton | Noelle Pederson |
| Alston & Bird | Gornata Ross | Nora Downey |
| Ameeta Kalokhe | Gyimah Whitaker | Norma Mendoza Sandoval |
| Amille Hobbs | Hannah Jarvis | Nykole Hudson |
| Amy Barger | Heather Stanley | Pamela Dale |
| Andrew McDougel | Heather Von Looy | Pamela Weiser |
| Angela Hulsey | Jackie Catthey | Papa John Foundation, Inc. |
| Anna Schecter | James McSweeney | Patti Grayson |
| Aparna Bhattacharyya | Jacqueline Blackwell | Peggy Callander |
| Ashley Barnes | Jamie Bormann | Peter Smith |
| Aundra Williams | Janelle Atherley | Rebecca S Goddard |
| Benevity Community Impact Fund | Jasmine Torres | Rocheen D Pearson |
| Bernadette Turner | Jennifer Burton | Rubi Carrero |
| Bonnie Bailey | Jennifer Williams | Sabrina Taylor |
| Brenan Stearns | Jetanne Dugger | Sarah Easterling |
| Brooke Humphrey | Joel Correa | Saudah Booker |
| Carole Yacovella | Joricia Phillips | Savannah Black |
| Charities AID Foundation of America | Juanita Goforth | Scott Huyge |
| Christie Doak | Kamesha Ellis | Shannan LaPorte |
| Christina Agnew-Brune | Kamisha Botts | Shawn Stewart |
| Christina Gerson | Kelli Womack | Shinah Russell |
| Chyna Chyna | Kelly Parker | Stacie Chandler |
| Cole Shiflett | Khalilah Jackson | Stacy Siko |
| Colleen Bell | Kim Richards | Stephanie Blamires |
| Community Health Charities | Kristen Donahue | Stephanie Starie |
| Corey Hobson | Landrix Reed | Tanisha Henry |
| Dakota Colwell | Lashundra Jones | Tara McGee |
| Daniel Malino | Latonya Davis | Tashea Harris |
| David Remy | Lauren Coachman | Tebora Wimby |
| Daria Butler | Laurie Woodruff | Terry Black |
| David Sheads | Lillian Tan | THI, Inc. |
| Debbie Sheppard | Lindsey Strickland | Timothy Hicks |
| Deborah Murray | Lisa Cole | Tracey Murray |
| Debra Anderson | Luciana Williams | Tracey White |
| Denise Dyer | Lynne Nygaard | Valerie Franklin |
| Donja Gordon | Maisah Weems | Vanguard Charitable |
| Earnestine Johnson | Manisha Lance | Verdy Jocelyn |
| Eau Claire Community Foundation | Mary Nielsen | Vickie Cross |
| Eileen Shuman | Mary Rosser | Winter Powell |
| Elazabeth Graf | Melanie Smith |
*GCADV regrets any inadvertent omission of donor names.