Advocacy Cafe
DVAM Survivor’s Panel: Coming Full Circle-Personal Reflections of Courage and Hope
Description
In light of DVAM, advocates and other helping professionals will have the unique opportunity to hear directly from Survivors as they share their unique stories and reflect on their own personal journeys navigating systems after experiencing domestic violence. Advocates and other professionals will gain insight as they hear directly from Survivors as they describe the adversities and systemic barriers they experienced along their personal journey as well as the people, systems, and communities that helped them along the way. Advocates and other helping professions will also hear first hand from Survivors their perspectives on what advocacy efforts and resources they found most helpful. Survivors will also share how they have come full circle to now becoming helping professionals themselves, assisting others who have experienced domestic violence.
Objectives:
Bring awareness of domestic violence for DVAM.
Help advocates gain new insight as Survivors reflect on what worked and didn't work in their personal journeys navigating various systems after experiencing domestic violence.
Allow advocates and other professionals to hear directly from Survivors as they share their personal stories and reflect on where they were and where they are now both personally and professionally.
Panelists:
Victoria Chaparro is currently employed with State of NM, Dept of Corrections, she is part of STIU (Security Threat Investigation Unit) Gang Unit. Victoria received my BA in Criminal Justice in 2010 from University of Phoenix. She was employed with the State from 1998-2007, and moved to Las Vegas, NV. Victoria lived in Las Vegas for 15 years. She returned back to Las Cruces in 2020 and returned to work with the Dept of Corrections. Victoria’s passion has always been in Law Enforcement, being able to help others. She has 2 kids, her son is 34 and daughter is 29, along with 6 grandchildren. Victoria lives life for them, I make sure they are always ok and not in need of anything. They are her world.
Molly DeLoris is a MSW-Graduate from New Mexico State University. A member of the Pueblo of Laguna and mother to three children whom have accompanied me on my healing journey for the past 24 years. I have been employed with Roberta’s Place since 2013 as an advocate, Case manager, Legal Advocate, CCBP Supervisor and Client Services Director. Serving the community has truly been a blessing and my calling.
Rochelle Fetters started working in the film industry in 2010 and has worked as an actress, writer, director and producer. Her production company, SeeChelle Productions, seeks to tell important women-centered stories and her debut film about domestic abuse, Breathe, is currently winning awards on the film festival circuit. In 2017, Rochelle created her own photography business and has enjoyed taking portraits of local actors. Then in 2019, Rochelle used her communication skills to start her own social media management business. Through her experience and training, she successfully ran social media presences for herself – successfully crowd-funded her film Breathe, attracted regular clients to her photography business, and built a solid fanbase as a model, actress and filmmaker – and other businesses and individuals.
Rochelle began working with NMCADV in September of 2020 as an Administrative Assistant and has loved the opportunity to grow into more of the work she loves. She now uses her skills and passion to showcase the amazing work that our member programs are doing around the state as Director of Communications & Membership. As a survivor of domestic violence herself, Rochelle is dedicated to the cause of empowering survivors, spreading awareness, and creating change in our communities.
Matilda Hadzic CPSW, BSN. is the Residential Services Supervisor for Esperanza Shelter, Santa Fe NM. After working as a registered nurse for 15 years, Matilda’s journey led her to advocate for survivors of domestic abuse. There were moments in my life that were painful and difficult to navigate. As I look back, I realize that my experiences, the good and the bad, brought me to the doorstep of advocacy work. Serving domestic violence survivors gives me a sense of fulfillment and purpose. Through the work, I am able to pass on moments of empathy and understanding and knowledge that were once passed onto me. I remain ever grateful for those moments.
I have 4 amazing kids and am currently in a loving, respectful partnership. We have 2 dogs and 1 cat. It’s a full house that keeps me busy and entertained at all times.