From the Director's Desk
If you had told me six months ago that we would be working remotely and providing our clinical services virtually, almost exclusively through telehealth, I would have thought you were crazy. Fast forward 6 months into a pandemic and not only are we working remotely and providing services virtually, but we are considering how to incorporate these new practices into our business model moving forward. It should come as no surprise that we were able to pivot almost seamlessly to a new normal, given that that’s what we do every day at Julie Valentine Center - empower survivors to hope, envision, create, and live a new normal.
Survivors are faced with the loss of safety, control, and the knowledge that things may never go back to the way that they were prior to their trauma. They may be isolated and feel alone. Much like the way that many of us have felt over the past few months. Now, more than ever, we are called to serve and support. During the past 6 months we have served over 1297 individuals in our community in new and innovative ways. We almost immediately began providing individual counseling services using telehealth. We launched an online support group and online hotline to enhance access to our services. We began a creative writing workshop for survivors and will be adding sexual health education for survivors in the coming weeks. We have continued to operate our 24-hour hotline and have provided remote support during rape exams to survivors in the local emergency rooms. We have continued to provide community education through webinars, presentations, community forums, social media, and our updated website.
At JVC we seek justice for those who have been abused and acknowledge that there are marginalized populations that are more vulnerable to abuse than others. We take a stand against social injustice in all that we do inside and outside of the walls of our Center. We work to continue promoting a diverse and inclusive workplace. We have taken a deep dive into the issues of racial injustice, tackling these difficult issues, not only naming the problems that affect our staff, clients and the community, but also identifying solutions. We are actively participating in opportunities for learning, growth, and planning through monthly “Intentional Uncomfortable Conversations.” We do this because we know that it will help us to better serve our community and we also do it because it is the right thing to do.
Sometimes opportunity arises during challenge and adversity to show us who we are, what we are made of, and all that we have to be grateful for. We have not and will not take this opportunity for granted. We will continue to work for justice. We will continue to inspire hope when it feels as if there is none. We will continue to work towards a safer community that is free of child abuse and sexual assault. We are inspired and energized knowing that you will continue to join us in these efforts because we know that we cannot do this alone. Thank you for being a part of the change and for making a difference in our community.
Best, Shauna Galloway-Williams, Med, LPC Executive Director Save the Date for the 11th Annual Julie Valentine Luncheon February 12, 2021 
We are thrilled to announce that this year's Julie Valentine Luncheon Speaker, Jaycee Dugard. In 1991, Jaycee Dugard was kidnapped by two strangers from a bus stop in her hometown of Lake Tahoe. She survived years of physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her two assailants. She was finally reunited with her mother and family in 2009, eighteen years after she was taken. Jaycee is now the author of two New York Times Best Sellers, A Stolen Life: A Memoir (2011) and Freedom: My Book of Firsts (2016). Jaycee also began the JAYC Foundation, which stands for "Just Ask Yourself to Care." They believe that by empowering the whole family, you heal the central victim. Through education programs, reunification programs, traditional therapy, equine therapy and many others, a treatment program is created specifically for each set of unique circumstances. The JAYC Foundation doesn’t only work with abduction victims but also works with bullying victims, soldiers returning from military deployment, police officers, victims of natural disasters and any others who seek help from traumatic experience.
Jaycee's story of hope and survival will inspire us all. This year's event will look a little different as it will be held virtually. Please be on the lookout for additional details for sponsorships and ticket sales.
For more information contact Robin Longino at rlongino@Julievalentinecenter.org
Run2Overcome 2020 Thanks to your support, the 12th Annual Run2Overcome Virtual Challenge presented by The Haro Group of Keller Williams was a huge success! Thanks to you, we raised over $81,000 for Julie Valentine Center! At a time when things are so uncertain, it is reassuring to know that we are able to count on you. A huge shout out to all of our sponsors and to Matthew Hammersmith, our amazing race director. We had friends, family, and supporters from all across the country and the globe participate with us this year. Thanks to everyone who participated, donated, supported, and cheered us to the finish line. See photos from the event here.
Know the steps. Protect children. End child abuse. Our Contact Information 
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