Welcoming Abbey Vranizan

Victim Support Services welcomes our newest advocate, Abbey Vranizan. Abbey is the Victim Services Coordinator covering Whatcom and Skagit Counties. She comes into this work with a passion to assist victims of crime through their struggles after victimization.

Abbey was raised in Western Montana, and received her undergraduate degree in Social Work from the University of Montana in 2012. Prior to completing her degree, she was employed for a family law attorney who got her involved in litigation and client-based advocacy. The attorney’s office frequently represented clients that were leaving violent relationships. Abbey learned during that time that she wanted to work as an advocate for oppressed populations. Abbey volunteered for a while at a domestic violence shelter, until she decided to return to school and get her degree.

She moved to Bellingham in October 2011. Since then she has been an Americorps volunteer working with at-risk youth in the high school setting, a paralegal for a family-law/dependency attorney in Whatcom County, and now finally gets to do the work that she has longed for; direct services, advocating for victims of violent crimes.

Abbey has a 10 year old kitty that has been with her through it all and made the big move to Washington State with her. Abbey enjoys exploring, riding her bike and flying kites. She states “I look forward to being a part of Victim Support Services, and am grateful for the opportunity that has been given to me!”

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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."

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