Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM) announced today the addition of a Sexual Assault Services Coordinator to their Family Violence Center (FVC) Services.
Kelly Carlson, NAM’s new Sexual Assault Services Coordinator will work directly with victims of sexual assault providing them with services such as case management, counseling, legal support and community referrals.
“NAM is everything I believe in and my goal is to empower survivors, assist them in carrying out the decisions they make and give them the support that may be lacking in their lives,” explained Carlson. “I also strive to empower fellow staff and volunteers, because it is together, that we can make those changes happen,” she said.
Having a new Sexual Assault Services Coordinator is vital to the communities NAM serve, as one of the school districts in our area has the greatest number of sexual assaults reported in the region, according to Sheryl Johnson, NAM’s Family Violence Center Director.
“Previously, a victim of sexual assault would have needed to travel to Humble, Conroe, Central Houston or Waller to obtain the nearest non-medical services for sexual assault,” Johnson explained. “But by providing Sexual Assault Services at NAM, those victims now have a resource available to them in their neighborhood,” she said.
Carlson has more than 15 years of experience working with survivors of sexual and domestic violence in central Illinois where she provided a variety of services, including crisis counseling, legal advocacy, medical advocacy and co-facilitation of support groups. Additionally she has provided sexual violence awareness and sensitivity training to staff, volunteers, law enforcement, first responders, emergency department staff, court staff and many community agencies.
“Adding Kelly and these Sexual Assault Services, allows NAM to address an unmet need for the community NAM serves,” Johnson added. “The Family Violence Center offers an environment that is comfortable, welcoming and free of judgement. Our staff and volunteers work patiently with clients to determine their needs, assist them in reaching their goals, and more importantly, begin healing,” she said.
Northwest Assistance Ministries is a non-profit, community-based social service agency that strives to meet basic human needs through Neighbors Helping Neighbors. NAM provides assistance in areas such as food, shelter, health, education, safety, and financial education. In fiscal year 2014-2015, NAM touched the lives of more than 127,000 people through its many programs and services.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault or domestic violence, please call the free 24/7 Family Violence Center Hotline at (281) 885-4673. All services available are free of charge. The Family Violence Center: offering HOPE and HEALING to victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
For more information, please visit www.namonline.org or call (281) 885-4610.