Join us in the fight for crime victims' safety and life-changing survivor services.

Dear Friend,

On Tuesday, the Justice Department canceled hundreds of grants with a notice to immediately cease all grant-funded operations. Among the many critical victim assistance programs that abruptly lost funding was NOVA’s Victim Advocacy Corps.

The Victim Advocacy Corps (VAC) aims to elevate the next generation of youth leaders in victim services. Our student fellows are young advocate leaders who are committed to bridging gaps in victim services and the criminal justice system by fostering accessibility, equity, and inclusion. Provided with mentorship and training, our student fellows are currently participating in a nine-month, paid field placement in a local victim service agency. NOVA is so proud of their impact and service.

NOVA is prepared to fight for this visionary program that we believe can and will change the future of victim advocacy. 

But it isn’t just our program. The grants that were terminated represent hundreds of life-saving survivor services throughout the country. Join us in demanding safety for crime victims and the programs that serve them:

1. Contact your representatives and urge them to intervene. Use this Action Toolkit from VALOR.
   
2. Sign on to a field-wide letter to Attorney General Bondi expressing your concerns
   
3. Share here if your grant(s) or program were impacted by the DOJ cuts to elevate the collective impact on our field.   

Know that you are not alone in this fight. JOIN our Community of Advocates today and help us share your voice at the national level.  We are stronger together.

Thank you for all you do to advocate for victims and survivors in your community.

In community,

Executive Director

National Organization for Victim Advocacy

Hear from our VAC Fellows

"This program has given me an opportunity to gain invaluable, real-world experience in victim services as a college student; experiences most people do not get to have until after their education has already finished and after working their way up through a variety of jobs. I would not trade my experience with the Victim Advocacy Corps for the world. I have met amazing people and gained friendships that will last a lifetime. NOVA has been able to support me and other college students, financially, emotionally, and professionally, as we have navigated our way through helping our own communities. I cannot overstate how fundamental this program has been in shaping my personal and professional life."

   - Sophie Anderson-Haynie, University of New Mexico

"Being a part of NOVA has strengthened my ability to serve my community by equipping me with the knowledge, resources, and advocacy skills needed to support and empower victims of crime with compassion and effectiveness."

  - Saniyah Turner, Coahoma Community College

"Being a VAC Student fellow has helped me to improve my engagement with survivors in my community by exposing me to a vast variety of tools and resources available to better give survivors full accessibility to meet their needs."  

  - Priscilla Berrios, Gallaudet University