EVERETT – Victim-advocate groups across the state got a historic boost from the 2007 Legislature with a $2 million allocation that will be spread out over two years and more than a dozen organizations.
Although the money will be only enough to fund some crime-victim activities, “It’s a start for support of victims,” said Jenny Wieland, executive director of the Everett-based group Families and Friends of Violent Crime Victims.
“It shows the legislators are convinced in the value of the programs we are providing.”
Wieland talked about the funding Wednesday at an open house commemorating a new and homey center for her organization on Colby Avenue just south of downtown Everett.
The occasion also was an opportunity to award individuals and a group for their work on behalf of victims of violent crimes.
Families and Friends operates as a partner with several organizations in what is called Snohomish and Island Counties Crime Victims Assistance Center.
Wieland’s organization, which is the state’s largest and longest-serving crime victims advocacy group, is more than 30 years old. It now has contracts with several other organizations and serves victims in 17 of the state’s 39 counties.
Wieland has lobbied hard for years to get state support for victim rights, acting as what Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney Janice Ellis called “a one-woman war machine.”
Until now, the state only supported programs aimed at victims of domestic violence or sexual assault.
Families and Friends has lived a hand-to-mouth existence, often relying on donations and grants.
State help “is a historic start. It is something we’ve been working on for at least five years or more,” Wieland said. Her lobbying, including numerous trips to Olympia this session, paid off.
Families and Friends operates crisis lines and counseling using numerous volunteers. The new center is one of 13 around the state that bring together numerous social service agencies to help victims.
Families and Friends is the lead agency at the new assistance center.
The group works with organizations such as the Providence Everett Sexual Assault Center, Senior Services of Snohomish County, Virginia Mason Separation and Loss Services and the Chinese Information and Service Center.
On Wednesday, Families and Friends honored a legislator, journalist and several people in law enforcement for their efforts on behalf of victims.
They include:
State Rep. Al O’Brien, D-Mountlake Terrace, who has pushed for legislation to increase the chances of finding missing persons and to boost resources for forensic investigations.
Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney Ellis, who is a longtime advocate of victims’ rights.
Herald reporter Diana Hefley, for reporting that increased the understanding of issues faced by crime victims. Hefley has written powerfully about victims’ issues “with a gentle touch,” said Autumn Allen, outreach supervisor for Families and Friends.
Members of the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Unit: They include detectives Sgt. Shawn Stitch, Pat Vanderweyst, Kelly Willoth, Greg Sanders, Dave Heitzman, Jim Scharf, Scott Wells, Brad Walvatne, Brad Pince and George Wilkins.
Also singled out were retired sheriff’s detectives Joe Ward and Al Zurlo.
Reporter Jim Haley: 425-339-3447 or haley@heraldnet.com.
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