In Memorium: Scott Tompkins
Our community lost a great friend, a stellar detective, and a champion for crime victims when Detective Scott Tompkins succumbed to a sudden illness this past weekend (9/9/18). Scott was a long-serving member of the King County Sheriff’s Office, hired in 1991, and contributed his time to Victim Support Services as a board member for the past seven years. Victim Support Services recently honored Scott…
Read MoreDon’t Worry, Be Happy….Part 1 of the Symptoms of Stress
Written by: Julie Thomas, Director of Victim Services and Training Are you a worrier? That is a question I ask participants in my Emotional Wellness classes that I teach for VSS. Inevitably many slowly raise their hands, some blurt out, “Oh Yes!” “Are you kidding?” “Lifelong worrier.” Worrying in this day and age almost seems to be a requirement in order to get through the day,…
Read MoreJuly Employee of the Month: Nicole Vangrimbergen
Please join us in congratulating our July employee of the month, Nicole Vangrimbergen. Nicole was voted employee of the month by her coworkers and peers. Nicole transitioned recently into region 12, which is Whatcom and Skagit Counties. She moved into that position seamlessly, hitting the ground running and quickly making connections. All the while she managed clients with current cases in Snohomish County, while we…
Read MoreCongratulations, Lora Brodniak!
Lora is transitioning from an on-call hotline advocate to the Region 4, Snohomish and Island County, Victim Services Coordinator. We are excited Lora took this new position and will be working with victims more directly and one-on-one! Since she started working here she has proven her skills and abilities, and her passion working with victims. Her previous experience as a victim advocate includes: working as a…
Read MoreWelcome, our new Victim Services Coordinator, Rachel Martinez!
Rachel Martinez is our new Region 1, King County, Victim Services Coordinator. Before joining Victim Support Services, Rachel was the Community Outreach Coordinator with Seattle Against Slavery. She has an Master of Social Work from the University of Washington and a Bachelor Degree in Social Work with a Minor in Criminal Justice from Colorado State University. In her spare time, Rachel enjoys running, boxing, hiking,…
Read MoreFourth of July: Triggers
Written by: Kimi Nolte, MPH, MSW, Lead Victim Services Coordinator On the fourth of July, most people look forward to the BBQs, firework displays and spending time with their loved ones. However, the holidays can be difficult for a number of reasons, especially if you and your family experienced a traumatic loss. Today, we’d like to discuss the Fourth of July and why this holiday…
Read MoreNational Night Out Against Crime
National Night Out is an annual event where communities across the country connect with law enforcement. The focus of National Night Out is to get neighborhoods actively involved in preventing crime in their community. At National Night Out, you will be able to visit tables for various community organizations and interact with your local first responders. All events are family friendly! Victim Support Services will…
Read MoreJune Employee of the Month: Kimi Nolte
Kimi Nolte, Lead Victim Services Coordinator is our Employee of the Month for June. Kimi is always willing to step in and help any of her teammates with a cheerful, positive attitude. She takes the role of Lead very seriously. Additionally, Kimi is a very strong advocate for the clients she serves and she ensures their voices are heard and their hearts are supported when…
Read MoreWelcome our new Hotline Advocate, Lora!
Please help us welcome our new On-Call Hotline Advocate, Lora Brodniak! Lora has seven years of experience as a victim advocate working with a variety of diverse clients and cultures. She has worked as a liaison for clients with law enforcement, CPS, hospital staff and forensic nurses at Providence Intervention Center for Assault and Abuse in addition to completing numerous trainings. In her spare time,…
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