Changes in Island, Skagit, and Whatcom Counties

Each year, as the new grant cycle begins, Victim Support Services (formerly Families & Friends of Violent Crime Victims) faces new challenges and opportunities to serve victims of crime. Since the bulk of our funding for victims of crime comes from the federal government, we are one of many programs across the State of Washington that will endure large cuts to our budget. As we prepare to enter the Federal Grant year 2013-2014 and adapt to the cuts that we have been notified of, we have looked at many opportunities to fine tune and reduce our expenses while making sure that our focus remains on providing victims of crime with quality services.  As a result we have had to make difficult decisions that have resulted in some structural changes.

When our Whatcom County Victim Services Coordinator resigned recently we chose to not fill the vacant position. Instead we chose to restructure the counties our advocates have already been serving.

Jessica Drain has held the position of Victim Services Coordinator in Skagit and Island Counties for the past 3 years. As part of the restructure she will continue to serve victims in Skagit County and will now cover Whatcom County to continue bringing quality services for victims of crime in that area.

Catherine Hix, who has served victims in Snohomish County as the Victim Services Coordinator for the past 3 years, will now begin serving victims in Island County as well.

Jessica and Catherine are working closely to transition all of the new cases in Island County to Catherine. They are devoted to making sure that the transition goes smoothly to ensure continuity of services.  Here is how you can contact Catherine or Jessica:

Jessica Drain                                                                           Catherine Hix

360.756.1780 (office)                                                        425.252.6081 (office)

360.421.1094  (cell)                                                            425.343.8052 (cell)

jessica@victimsupportservices.org                             Catherine@victimsupportservices.org

24 hour hotline: 1.800.346.7555

Thank you for your ongoing support.  Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any questions.

Call Our 24-Hour Crisis Line

Speak with a trained advocate who can provide assistance with needs resulting from victimization.  Call by clicking below! 

GET HELP

Testimonials

"With the help of VSS, you are empowered and encouraged to fight back and be pro-active. Then your conscience can be more at peace because you know you have taken some action to protest crimes inflicted on your loved one. It is sometimes your only consolation."

“The one takeaway for me in working with VSS is that it is a necessary organization. I know they are funded by grants and fundraisers but it’s something we need to make sure as a community that they have the funding needed because what they do for people in need doesn’t happen anywhere else. This is the only place that this happens and VSS helps with so many things.”

David Rose

Anchor, Q13 News and Host, Washington’s Most Wanted

“VSS is there when the unthinkable happens.  When a police officer knocks on your door and gives you tragic news, VSS helps navigate the court system, which can be very confusing. VSS is compassion, caring, and commitment. Commitment to once justice is done that victims and their families can move forward with their lives.”

Jennifer Gregerson

Mayor, City of Mukilteo

“VSS has been our partner in recovery and healing and a key part in what makes Mukilteo Strong. VSS has been a trusted advocate for the victims that have suffered so much in the community.  I’m so grateful to VSS as our partner in strength.”

Jon Nehring

Mayor, City of Marysville

“VSS is there for people in their darkest hour. At a time when they need an advocate and friend, VSS steps in to fill that gap and help them begin their journey back to some sense of normalcy.” 

Myrle Carner

Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound

“This thing about closure. There is never really closure in a victim’s life but VSS helps individuals to get closer to that and that’s critical because the cops and the judicial system just move on to another case because they don’t have time. Victims live with this trauma forever so VSS is with them for as long as they need the services. VSS takes the time, more importantly, they really care."

Facebook Feed

[fts_facebook type=page id=113587341909 access_token=EAAP9hArvboQBAHoe4nkFWCSABhF1LZBuKCFYZCDIMTvIGD13O9FIq4ykkGGbhGCLJSVUgHrGIHZCJ6IwPwwd5XwdD1DigHSFTMnmU9fL0d84C8OMMtidvDkW2hQmrLv98AvjhfbZAenryR8bvgURy6M9pLpcAWGwrA9kWA7pAgZDZD posts=2 title=yes title_align=center description=no words=45 popup=no posts_displayed=page_only images_align=center]