This year the Center for Violence Prevention celebrated its 30th anniversary, and we decided to celebrate by giving thanks to those who have went above and beyond to help us carry out our mission. Here is a list of our award recipients.
It is my honor to present the Center for Violence Prevention’s 30th Anniversary State Law Enforcement Award to MDOT’S Law Enforcement! Over the last decade, MDOT cops have shown dedication above and beyond to victims and CVP’s programs. Many a victim of violence has been nestled into a warm, safe law enforcement vehicle to be transported to safety and services at one of our locations. Since 2017, when we started our human trafficking program, MDOT increased their support through offering meeting locations for task force meetings and collaboration with law enforcement operations to find victims and arrest perpetrators. As I travel throughout the state, it makes me smile when I see them all over our highways. We appreciate you, and our clients certainly do!!
-Sandy Middleton, ED
Executive Director
There are no words to adequately describe the positive effect these three investigators have had on human trafficking in Mississippi. Everyone in the field knows them to be the absolute experts on operations planning and execution, along with being trauma-informed and focused on the needs of victims. Nick, Phillip and Chad are simply the best, and the good people of Mississippi owe them a debt of gratitude for their work. I’ve watched the three of them assist investigators all over the state as they developed their cases, and their level of dedication to the work is exceptional. Their new assignment through the Mississippi Human Trafficking Operational Task Force Board empowers and further informs human trafficking investigation expertise in #Mississippi, and we look forward to seeing the results moving forward. We’re impressed, and this recognition is the least we can do!!
-Sandy Middleton, ED
Executive Director
The Center for Violence Prevention is thrilled to award Byram Police Department with the 30th Anniversary Award for Local Law Enforcement Agency for their implementation of the lethality assessment. Chief Thompson saw the value in setting a new policy to dig deeper when officers respond to domestic violence, which resulted in a wonderful partnership between our two agencies. The lethality assessment put into place by this department has helped to identify multiple lethal offenders, while offering an immediate action plan to assist victims. The fact is that the majority of mass shooters and cop killers have a past as domestic violence offenders, and this is further evidence that we cannot continue to wink at DV as a “personal problem” or give an offender a pass because “he just snapped.” These violent offenders terrorize their significant others, as well as children and other family members, and it’s our responsibility to hold offenders accountable while offering restoration and healing to their victims. I’m proud of the work this department has done, and I wish everyone could see the dramatic recovery of the victims served by this new policy. The lethality assessment works, and this department is professional and intentional in its service delivery to Byram. Thank you!
-Sandy Middleton, ED
Executive Director
Sexual violence investigations can be tedious and difficult, which is evident by the low number of convictions in the state. In fact, the national statistic is that out of every 1000 sexual assaults, only 5 perpetrators will wind up with a felony conviction. Additionally, 3 out of 4 sexual assault victims choose NOT to report the crime to police. When the Center for Violence Prevention opened our Bridge Forensic Clinic in 2018, the working relationship we have with these investigators is precisely what we had in mind! Keith and Terris embraced the forensic component of these investigations and have squeezed every drop of help from The Center’s programs. While they carry on investigations on the case, their trauma-informed and client-centered approach reassures victims and aids in their recovery. Simply put, these fine investigators understand how important it is to keep victims informed and assist in connecting them with services such as therapy and advocacy. The first step to recovery for a victim of sexual violence is a well-trained and caring investigator. Investigators Keith Jordan and Terris Thomas are simply the best of the best, and we’re proud to present them this well-deserved recognition.
-Sandy Middleton, ED
Executive Director
Domestic Violence Awareness Efforts: Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence
As the Center for Violence Prevention continues to celebrate our 30th Anniversary, we chose to honor the Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence for its long-term partnership with victim services providers across the state. Under the leadership of Executive Director Wendy Mahoney, this agency has blazed a trail to offer trainings and support for shelters, as well as setting a high standard for victim care in our state. Wendy has worked with our national partners to recommend policy improvements and has assisted with the implementation of the lethality assessment. This group of dedicated advocates has been a pleasure to work with! Thank you for your service, and we are honored to put the spotlight on you today!
-Sandy Middleton, ED
Executive Director
The Center is thrilled to recognize the Nativity Lutheran Church for its support over the last ten plus years! This Rankin County church is one of our largest participants of our Christmas gifts for clients program and holds a 5th Sunday collection for paper goods and cleaning supplies benefiting all our programs. This small but mighty congregation symbolizes the community mission’s focus! They are literally a phone call away! We are grateful for your prayers, love and support you provide for our staff and our clients. May the Lord continue to bless your fellowship!
-Sandy Middleton, ED
Executive Director
Long-term volunteer organization: Christian Women’s Job Corp
We met Mary Callahan many years ago when she reached out to offer the Christian Women’s Job Corp to help our clients obtain the education and job training they need to achieve financial freedom. This program, along with all the CWJC volunteers, are invaluable to the recovery of survivors of interpersonal violence. This group serves beyond the mission of education, and sees each individual, assisting them in overcoming the obstacles that stand in the way of their education. Their relentless and steadfast pursuit to support our clients is why they are so deserving of this recognition. Additionally, they have been flexible with scheduling, in the past assisted with child care, and brought in a special tutor for a client with dyslexia. They also have mentored and created more community for some of our clients. Thank you, Mary Callahan and Christian Women’s Job Corp for your commitment to those in need.
-Sandy Middleton, ED
Executive Director
When the staff and I were discussing who was most deserving of our 30th Anniversary volunteer award, Eddie and Sherry Grimes were at the top of our list. There are SO many stories about these amazing people and the love they have for our clients and staff. Many years ago, when we first met the Grimes, we were sprucing up our courtyard to provide a peaceful place for our clients. They both came over on a warm Saturday and spent the day laying sod. Sherry brings corndogs, cupcakes and goodies for our children, and we are quick to call them if we need anything….literally anything! Sherry comes in the door calling everybody “angel” and shares that warmth with all. Eddie is diligent to make sure the community is keeping up with our work and he and Sherry are the first ones to refer a person for help or share our mission in their community. Eddie and Sherry with the Rotary Club of South Rankin County, we are so grateful and honored that you chose us to love and support. Thank you!!
-Sandy Middleton, ED
Executive Director
Human Trafficking Task Force Support: Mississippi Trucking Association
Back in 2017, The Center stepped forward to organize a state-wide law enforcement-led effort to find victims and arrest and prosecute offenders through the creation of local task forces, and one of the first groups to offer support was the Mississippi Trucking Association. Led by Hal Miller and Steve Boudreaux, MTA brought in Truckers Against Trafficking on multiple occasions across the state to host coalition build trainings in an effort to educate the trucking and other related industries. These efforts were well-before human trafficking was even on the radar for many other statewide agencies. Since then, MTA has been home base for the Central Mississippi Human Trafficking Task Force, where investigators, advocates and prosecutors join together to discuss cases and how to improve Mississippi’s response. We are beyond grateful for their long-time support and passion for the issue. This recognition is well-deserved, and we love and appreciate these gentlemen and this fine organization.
-Sandy Middleton, ED
Executive Director
Shea Dykes received our 30th Anniversary Award for Volunteer Advocate. Shea has been a volunteer for 10 years and is very passionate about helping victims of sexual assault. Available day or night and around the clock, Shea is a committed and zealous advocate for victims. According to our national partner, RAINN, every 73 seconds an American is sexually assaulted. SANE nurses at different facilities state that they value the presence of advocates to care for the victim during an exam and would much rather perform a kit with an advocate than without. In the last case Shea advocated, she was able to not only help the victim, but she was also able to help the nurse navigate the kit due to her training. Thank you, Shay, for always showing up and offering your trauma-informed care and compassion for victims! You are our hero!!
-Sandy Middleton, ED
Executive Director
Thank you is inadequate for the many years of support for Center for Violence Prevention has received from Squat and Gobble event! Friends for a Cause (Tommy Turk) were hands down our favorite for this special 30th anniversary award. God bless you all, and we look forward to seeing you all in the near future.
- Sandy Middleton, ED
Executive Director
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