Our Spring newsletter is here. Inside you will find exciting news about OCVLC First Annual Hardy Myers Dinner, a summary of State v. Ball, and an introduction to our new Victim Advocate, Roshelle Cleland. 

Thank you to everyone who made OCVLC First Annual Hardy Myers Dinner successful. Thank you for your support and donations. We are grateful that we have so many amazing supporters who care about the work we do.  Please enjoy the photos from our event. Photography by Jacob Denbrook. 

Throughout November and December you can support OCVLC by participating in the 2017 Give Guide campaign! You can find our page at:

Inside you'll find exciting news about OCVLC's participation in Willamette Week's 2017 Give Guide, articles dedicated to Domestic Violence Awareness Month and a bio on our new Finance Manager.

OCVLC's attorneys and advocate will again participate in Parents of Murdered Children's Day of Remembrance. See the attached flyer for more information.

Inside you'll find in depth information on OCVLC's work at the Gateway Center in Multnomah County, updates on community partners and Board membership as well as a cover article dedicated to the Parents of Murdered Children annual National Day of Remembrance event.

Due to the amazing growth of our staff and service area OCVLC is moving into a larger office space. We will still be located in the Raleigh View Plaza at 7412 SW Beaverton-Hillsdale Hwy in Portland but are moving from Suite 111 to Suite 209.

The big move is scheduled for Friday, May 20, 2016 and phone/internet services will be interrupted during the morning and early afternoon. Please feel free to call and leave a message and allow a little extra time for phone and email replies as we get our new space set up and get back to business.

OCVLC is pleased to announce the addition of two attorneys to our staff: Yazmin Wadia and Nelly Wright. After spending nearly two years clerking for the Honorable David F. Rees in Multnomah County Circuit Court, Ms. Wadia comes to us with substantial knowledge concerning trial advocacy and court practices and procedures. A graduate of Arizona State University and Willamette University College of Law, she served as the Public Interest Law Project president and received a fellowship to aid migrant farmworkers in Woodburn. Ms. Wadia is passionate about protecting the rights of crime victims within the justice system. She will be working primarily with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Multnomah County.
 
Ms. Wright began working and volunteering at a domestic violence shelter in Columbia County, Oregon when she was in high school. Working with survivors of domestic violence at a young age ignited her interest in victims’ rights and advocacy. After graduating from Lewis and Clark College she attended Willamette University College of Law. In law school, Ms. Wright clerked for the Marion County District Attorney’s Office, where she specialized in violation of restraining order cases. After law school, she worked as a deputy district attorney for five years, where she specialized in domestic violence, animal abuse, and sexual assault cases. As a prosecutor, Ms. Wright had the opportunity to work closely with children and adult survivors of abuse. Outside of work, Ms. Wright enjoys fishing, gardening, and exploring the Pacific Northwest with her dogs and friends.

Last October OCVLC hired Amanda Burnett as their Victim Advocate and Administrative Specialist. Ms. Burnett graduated Cum Laude from Western Washington University where she was chosen as the Outstanding Graduating Senior for the Political Science Department. She began her career in advocacy with Allies in Change, where she gained extensive knowledge of the dynamics of domestic violence. Ms. Burnett is committed to supporting victims as they navigate the legal system and assert their rights.