ACADEMY FACULTY & STAFF
Dr. Debra L. Stanley
Academy Director, Faculty
Anne Litecky
Program Coordinator
alitecky@ubalt.edu
Dr. Heather L. Pfeifer
Associate Director, Faculty
hpfeifer@ubalt.edu
Dave Thomas
Faculty
Debbie Bradley
Certification Coordinator
Phone
410.837.5055
THE VICTIM SERVICES PROFESSIONAL NETWORK: Creating Ties That Bind
The purpose of the RVAAM Alumni Association (aka, The Victim Services Professional Network [VSPN]) is to provide a vehicle by which Alumni may assist in the attainment of the goals set forth by the Academy. As such the goals of the Alumni Association are:
- To build a network for victim service providers.
- To establish a mentoring program for Association members, to include victim service providers new to the field as well as seasoned providers.
- To assist with identification of training needs at both the basic and advanced levels.
- To expand and enhance the level of professionalism within the victim services field.
- To establish non-profit status for the Association
As such, the Alumni Association has created a set of committees designed to support these goals. A description of each committee is listed in the left-hand column. The Alumni Association welcomes the active involvement of its members and as such is always looking for more Alums to serve on these committees so they can share their talents and knowledge with their fellow peers.
A HEARTFELT THANKS
The Alumni Association would not be where it is today without the devotion of a select group of individuals who volunteered their time to help create the Association and subsequently serve on its Executive Board as Officers, and supporting members.
For their never-ending dedication to the Alumni Association, we offer our sincerest thanks …
Kim Vasco (Class of 2004) – Founding President , 2004-2006.
Beverly Brooks (Class of 2004) – Founding Vice-President, 2004-2005.
Jessica Dickerson (Class of 2004) – Founding Secretary, 2004-2008.
Bonnie Robertson (Class of 2005) – Vice-President, 2005-2006; President, 2006-2008.
Bob Ertter (Class of 2005) – Board member, 2005-2006.
Debbie Bradley (Class of 2005) – Vice-President, 2006-2009
Cherie Peay (Class of 2004) – Founding Treasurer, 2004-2009
Valda Rotolo (Class of 2004) – President, 2008-2009
Linda Fair (Class of 2006) – Co-Chair (2009-2012)
William A. Griffin (Class of 2008) – Co-Chair (2009-2012)
Dianna Abramoski (Class of 2007) – Treasurer (2009-2012)
Alicia Davis-Johnson (Class 2007) – Secretary (2008-2012)
Did you know the Alumni are on Facebook?
Search for “Roper Victim Assistance Academy,” then ask to join our group! It’s a great way to stay connected with your fellow alum, and to be able to share information with one another …
Class of 2018 Courtesy of Bon Secours Retreat & Conference Center
Alumni Association
Ignored and rejected
Overlooked and undervalued
Emotionally destroyed and physically damaged
These are the unwanted and unforeseen circumstances that victims endure.
To former victims, current victims, and sadly, future victims
We see you, we hear you, we stand with you!
To victims who believe your strength is invisible and believe that your story is not important
We will be your voices when the trauma prevents you to speak
We will be your strength when the system considers you weak
We understand it was not your choice to become victimized
We understand the difficulty in handling your own personal trauma
We understand it is not easy to forget.
You have experienced the unimaginable
But you survived
You WILL survive
Your survival is monumental
Your survival is unmatched
Your survival is continuous
Your survival is YOURS!
To the victims that have fallen
They are survived by family
They are survived by friends
They are survived by us, the advocates.
Their time with us may have come to an end
But their stories, their legacies are uninterrupted, unrelenting, and endless
Without these stories, these legacies, these survivors,
Empathy and compassion for this service would be scarce.
You are why we are here
So, believe me when I say
YOU matter, your story matter!
To the queen of victim advocacy, Ms. Roberta Roper,
Your resiliency, your passion, your empathy, your diligence,
Your unparalleled, and incomparable strength and survival has built the strongest foundation
Of what it means to genuinely care for victims
What it means to accurately serve victims
You are the epitome of a leader, a game changer, a SURVIVOR!
Thank you for paving the way
Thank you for entrusting the next generation to continue the mission
We will not fail you
Your legacy will flourish for the years to come.
Supported and valued
Strong and courageous
Victimized but SURVIVED
Bent but NOT broken
To victims on the road to survival
WE SEE YOU, WE HEAR YOU, WE STAND WITH YOU!
An Open Letter
to Victims
and Survivors
~ Carolyn C. Cosey
class of 2018
2019
For the first time, RVAAM will offer two Academy trainings in one year:
Next Session - JUNE 3 to 7 (Summer Academy)
Click on APPLICATION tab ~ Space is limited.