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In response to the loss of her son to violence, Ms. Muhammad organized Mothers of Murdered Sons and Daughters (MOMS) and consequently took over leadership of the Victim Witness Assistance Program, Inc. (VWAP). Ms. Muhammad also has been featured on various local and national talk shows as a spokesperson for violence prevention. Ms. Muhammad's life exemplifies the idea that the greatest contribution a survivor or victim can make is to ensure that others do not experience the same pain. Her personal and professional crusade of turning pain into participation has helped transform survivors of adversity into activists for change capable of incredible acts of kindness and compassion. For 12 years, Ms. Muhammad served as President of a Public Relations and Communications firm, Unique Affairs/Communications Inc. and was directly responsible for the planning and implementation of numerous special events and projects for various constituencies. She has also dedicated countless hours to local and national political campaigns as candidate, campaign manager and political consultant.
Ms. Muhammad has used the many opportunities afforded her to advance the concept that the greatest contribution a survivor or victim can make is to ensure that another individual not experience that same pain. She believes that this can only happen when each of us turns our pain into participation. Ms. Muhammad holds a master’s degree from Southern New Hampshire University in Nonprofit Management.
Ms. King serves Atlanta Victim Assistance, Inc. (AVA) as the Director of Development & Strategic Planning. In that capacity, she works to ensure agency goals are developed, implemented, and new partnerships and funding opportunities are created for the agency. Prior to joining AVA, Vivien was the Homeownership Connection Director for the Housing Network of Rhode Island. She ran the day-to-day operations and administered policy and procedure for the coordination of homeownership services through its member organizations; including but not limited to standardized curriculum, trainer certification/continuing education, centralized registration, and provision of educational tools. Vivien also ran the statewide anti-predatory lending campaign and was influential in getting landmark legislation passed in Rhode Island. Ms. King has over ten years experience in television news and has worked as an assignment editor, news assistant, and production assistant for WPRI 12, Fox 64, ABC 6 and CNN. She holds a degree in Journalism and a Master’s in Community Economic Development. Ms. King is currently pursuing a PHD in Organization and Management.
Yoon Kyung is a Korean speaking bilingual Advocate. She has a master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. She provides advocacy services to child victims and outreach to parents on how to handle or recognize child abuse for children ages 0 to 5 years old. Yoon works in cooperation with the Atlanta Police Department, Georgia Center for Child Advocacy, and local daycare centers. Yoon also assists victims of domestic violence and human trafficking who are referred to AVA. As manager, Yoon coordinates all advocate activities to ensure services are provided efficiently and effectively.
Juanita joined the agency in July 1998 as a volunteer while she attended the Georgia Civic Education League. Shortly after her graduation, she became a part-time employee and worked her way up to Domestic Violence Advocate in August 2000. She interfaces with family members of homicide victims, helping with funeral arrangements, closing out utilities accounts, and keeping the family updated about court dates, if an arrest was made. Currently, as the Consumer Advocate for victims of Identity Theft, she assists in filing police reports, identity theft affidavits, and fixing specific problems such as closing accounts.
Addis, a native of New York, is one of our bilingual staff members. She began as the Office Assistant in May 2003, and is now the Temporary Protection Coordinator. She has been living in Atlanta for the past eight years and graduated with a Criminal Justice degree from Georgia State University in 2003. Addis makes recommendations to judges and solicitors on behalf of the victim. She also assists fire victims.
Denise answers all first response calls. This is the most critical, since many of the victims calling AVA are in immediate need of help. She is required to evaluate the call and know which advocate is appropriate for the case. She also maintains the daily call-in board, keeping track of the location of AVA staff, and is relied on for ordering supplies and maintaining the inventory for the supply room. Denise provides copying, postage services and distributes the mail. Denise supervises all employee benefits. She conducts employee orientation for new hires and current staff. She is responsible for checking timesheets and processing payroll. Denise also assists the Finance Manager and is responsible for recording bank deposits, paying agency bills and reconciling cash account monthly. She assists the Executive Director by setting her appointments, monitoring her calendar, making flight & hotel reservations, conference calls, taking minutes at Board Meetings and putting together binders for various meetings. Denise also serves as the Intake Specialist for the SAFE Campaign.
Mee Sun is a trilingual speaking advocate. She was born in South Korea but raised in Argentina. She administers the aid and support to victims seeking protection from their abusers. She guides them through every step of filling out the necessary paperwork and escorts them to Superior Court, where the order is finalized. She also assists victims of domestic violence at the court.
As a state registered Civil Mediator, Dorothy Foster Hall acts as a neutral third party to assist with community disputes. The mediator advocate has no authority to decide the issues or force a settlement but utilizes mediation, which can break the cycle of unresolved disputes by addressing real issues that lead to a “win-win” resolution, thus, enhancing personal and community safety. She also coordinates and facilitates support groups providing emotional guidance and social support. Ms. Hall has a Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from St Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Norfolk State University, Norfolk, Va. She is a Certified Criminal Justice Addictions Specialist, Domestic Violence Counselor III with over 16 years of experience working in the criminal justice system as a Probation and Parole Officer in the areas of Intensive Supervision, Drug Court, Substance Abuse Counseling and Assessments. She is also a credentialed Advocate with National Advocate Credentialing Program.
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