Crime Victims Advocacy Council

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CONTACT CVAC AT:      http://cvaconline.org/




                        ABOVE IS CVAC'S PROGRAM DIRECTOR, CANDACE SIMS.

                                              DONATION REQUEST FROM BROOKS HUNNICUTT,
                                                                                 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money to benefit Crime Victims Advocacy Council, and ANY donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.  Our story is below.
Crime Victims Advocacy Council
3101 Paces Mill Road, S.E.
Atlanta, GA 30339-3747
(770) [phone redacted] 
cvaconline.org 

Hello, my name is Brooks Hunnicutt, and you have been asked to visit this charitable giving site either by me, or by someone associated with the Crime Victims Advocacy Council (CVAC).  I have been involved with CVAC for over 20 years and I am asking for your financial support.  We are a 30 year old, not-for-profit organization that offers free services to victims of all types of crime from any Georgia county OR other state.  No victims are turned away, and we at CVAC do our best to provide whatever the victim may need.  I request your financial assistance in order to maintain and enhance our ongoing services.  We are interested in expanding our programs and embracing more initiatives and have, in fact, begun working on an anti-bullying project, implicit bias training, expanding support group services, and supporting legislation which helps victims.  

CVAC's services include, but are not limited to:

Service:  A 24 hour hotline with trained personnel to assist victims at any time.

Service:  Support groups, one-on-one consultation in person or online, and outings for victims so that they can get a break from the trauma of what has happened to them.  CVAC provides support as long as it is needed. Here is an example of a recent outing:

AN AFTERNOON AT THE FARM

Victims Spend the Day at the Farm, Being Together,
Enjoying Great Food, Riding Horses, & Enjoying Music!
A Happy Person Enjoying the Companionship of a Very Sweet Horse!
Make Over Day for the Ladies

Service:  Assistance with, and information regarding, the Criminal Justice System (e.g. police, detectives, court, etc.) which includes, among other things, help filing temporary restraining orders, and court accompaniment if needed.  CVAC also works hand-in-hand to assist criminal justice victim personnel in order to aid victims.

Faith and Blue Event - Working with Criminal Justice to Benefit Victims
Faith and Blue Event - Candace Sims And Attendee

Service:  Assistance with the creation of Victim Impact Statements containing information about how victims are affected emotionally, psychologically, financially, etc. by the crime.  These are read to the Court at the time of sentencing and follow a perpetrator through the criminal justice system.

Service:  Information regarding Crime Victim Rights in the State of Georgia.  Assistance in ensuring that victims receive these rights which help empower them after suffering from a crime.

     Director, Candace Sims (left), at Governor's Office for Signing of Marcy's Law
                                                                          CRIME VICTIMS BILL OF RIGHTS
 Victims Have the Right To:

§   Reasonable, accurate and timely notice of any scheduled court proceedings or any changes to such proceedings
§   Reasonable, accurate and timely notice of the arrest, release or escape of the accused.
§   Not to be excluded from any scheduled court proceedings involving the accused, except as otherwise provided by law.
§   Be heard at any scheduled court proceedings involving the release, plea or sentencing of the accused.
§   File a written objection in any parole proceedings involving the accused. 
§   Confer with the prosecuting attorney in any criminal prosecution related to the victim.
§   Restitution as provided by law.
§   Proceedings free from unreasonable delay.
§   Be treated fairly and with dignity by all criminal justice agencies involved in the case.
§   Under certain conditions, to be notified of the accused being on an electronic release and monitoring program.
§   Notified of an arrest warrant being issued for the accused.
§   Notified of the accused being prohibited from contacting the victim.

Service:  Assistance with applying for, and information about, the Victim Compensation Program for Georgia (which helps cover medical, psychological and funeral expenses among other things).

Service:  Information on managing life issues such as grief, stress, self care, PTSD, and what happens to the mind and body after a crime.

Service:  Providing child care while attending groups, transportation to court and doctors' appointments when needed, hospital visits, and more.

Service:  Referrals to, networking with, and teaching other victim and non-victim service providers (shelters, attorneys, medical services, etc.).

                  Director Sims Teaching about Victims' Issues
                           Director Sims at Volunteer Training
                           Director Sims Networking with Other Service Providers

Service:  Informational seminars and online videos regarding issues related to crime victims.

Service:  A bimonthly newsletter for both victims and service providers.

Service:  An annual memorial service for people who have lost loved ones to homicide.

Service:  A pastoral care division available to work with victims' spiritual needs.

                       Crime Victims' Memorial Service
                           Victim Recipient of Award (Center) for Best Remembrance
                                                                               VICTIM TESTIMONIALS

Angela & John Hawkins - Last Photo on Anniversary Trip

Hello, my name is Angela Richardson Hawkins, and my husband's name is John Hawkins.  John and I were childhood sweethearts since we were 9 and 10 years old.  We were married for 29 years.  My husband and I were on our 30th anniversary motorcycle ride, and  we were hit by a drunk driver in Florida on March 17, 2018.  I was seriously injured, and my husband was killed instantly.  I was referred to the Crime Victims Advocacy Council ("CVAC") through Mr. Whatley from Mothers Against Drunk Driving of Georgia.

Though I have a very good victim's advocate in Florida where the crime happened, I was lacking a support system in Georgia where I live.  Before I found CVAC, I going to counseling for complicated grief.  CVAC has provided me with great emotional support through both groups and individual support.  CVAC has a special yearly memorial service for survivors of homicide that I can attend to honor my husband.  With the support of CVAC staff, I have always had someone to talk to whenever I had the need, and I feel confident that CVAC will always be there for me as I rebuild my life.

Russell Erickson - I had a home invasion / robbery and was beaten within an inch of my life.  After 4 days on Life Support and a week in ICU, I began the long road to recovery.

                         Russell Erickson Right After the Attack

Thanks to the support of CVAC, I am much better today.  The physical injuries have healed, and the emotional support that CVAC provides is exceptional!  

                                 Russell Erickson - Recovered, and Living a Full Life!
                                Jacqueline Miller - Lost Son to Homicide

There is a coined saying that “when cardinals are near, angels are near.  Since I have been introduced to CVAC, my new saying is, “When CVAC is near, MY angels are near.”  CVAC volunteers and personnel have a way of making me feel like a newborn nestled in the bosom of a mother.  I’m Jacque Miller and on July 6, 2020, my 19 year old son, Andrew Stephen Miller was murdered in the back of an apartment complex in DeKalb County by three cowards who wanted nothing more than the possessions he carried with him. I never thought I would be able to breathe and discuss what happened to my baby who was born on a cold Saturday morning at 3:00 a.m. in February next to his twin brother Aaron without me slinking down in a seat and crying never ending alligator tears.

The phone call I received that Tuesday evening as I watched Wheel of Fortune alongside my husband of 33 years not only took my breath away, but it took away my ability to think and navigate the everyday activities of my life.  Once I realized that Andrew would never really not return to my home, to his bedroom, to the side of his twin, I began to try to figure out how to continue living with this new reality.  Somewhere in all the paperwork and information that was given to me on that Tuesday, I remember a card being slid in my hand at the scene of the murder and someone saying something about there being help for surviving victims of murders. I believe it was the DeKalb County Coroner who briefly mentioned someone would contact me from the Victims Advocate’s office.  I was in a panic and could not wait for them to contact me  so I contacted their office. 

I remember speaking to the kindest, sweetest, most caring, empathetic person I had ever spoken to in my life.  Her name was Ms. Patel, and she told me that there is this group that you may be interested in joining that may be able to help you get through this.   They are CVAC.  I was extremely fortunate to receive the information for Brooks Hunnicutt and Candace Sims whom I contacted immediately, thus beginning my CVAC journey.  From that point on, it was a match made in heaven.  CVAC has helped me in a myriad of ways including mentally, emotionally and socially.  They have helped me to navigate the criminal justice system and construct a victim impact statement which I presented to the Court.

When I first came in contact with CVAC, I was a complete mess!!  I remember attending Zoom meetings and getting upset whenever I would be asked to speak.  I cried and cried as I slinked down in my seat and would sob out whatever it was I was trying to say to the group because I was just so hurt and angry about the callous, brutal death of my son. I did not know how I would get over the gigantic hole that was lodged in the middle of my heart.  I wanted to disappear into my bedroom and sleep for days so that I could see my son again, if only in a dream.  I could not understand how those people in the meeting could have a life after their loved ones were gone from this earth forever.  After what seemed like a maddening dash to attend court week after week because there were three males who had been arrested for the murder of my son, it was a relief to attend the comfort of the warm atmosphere of the Zoom meetings of Ms. Brooks and Ms. Candace.  Just the reassurance of their voices that I wasn’t going crazy and their understanding of my stress at having to attend multiple bond hearings week after week was a comfort, as was the offer that they would attend with me or even in my stead if I needed it.  This seemed to give me the strength that I needed to move forward for my son.  If they were in my corner, I could continue to move forward and on to justice for Andrew.  I could do it!!! 

After attending a few meetings and listening to what was being said, and hearing the kindness, the caring, the fellowship, I knew this was the place I wanted and Needed to be each week.  I started sitting up straighter in my seat, hearing what the other members were saying and asking for help from the leaders.  I remember telling the CVAC group that the advocate for the county where my child’s murderers was being held said my letter I read in court was too long and I needed to make it shorter.  Without me asking, Ms. Brooks said, “I’ll help you write it.”  I was astounded and excited.  I had no idea I had found an addition to my family.  I now plan my Tuesdays around ensuring I am available to meet with the CVAC team at the appointed time.  It is a necessity that I am there to get the  nourishment that they provide.  They are that breath of fresh air that I needed after my child was murdered and that I still need now.  Not only do they give me tools to survive, they give me information to help my entire family.  CVAC members are my  angels!!


CVAC is asking for your financial support in order to facilitate and expand implementation of its broad scope of victim services.  The goal for this year is $75,000.  There is always so much work to be done, and through your support, we are able to help people rebuild their lives after terrible tragedies have occurred.  We ask for your donation, please do what you are able to help us.  You only need to click on the "Donate Now" button.  Your donation is tax deductible and very much appreciated.  You may also remain anonymous if you choose. 

If you would like, instead of donating at this site, you can mail a check can to:

Crime Victims Advocacy Council
3101 Paces Mill Road, S.E.
Atlanta, GA 30339 

PLEASE feel free to contact us if you have any questions, need more information, or would like to have a speaker come to your organization.

cvaconline.org 

With warmest regards, I am,

Brooks Hunnicutt, Executive Director