Jeanne Buffington - Executive Director

Jeanne oversees the daily operations of the agency, and staff, and oversees the budget, grant writing, and represents the agency on various committees in the county and at the state level.

Cathy Drerup - Victim Advocate

Cathy and Heather Weaver provide intervention, support, assessment and referral for survivors and the people who love and support them during crisis and recovery. Advocacy includes crisis hot line response, medical accompaniment at the emergency room, criminal justice system accompaniment and referral for health AFTERCARE. Advocates are engaged in interagency communication and collaboration to help survivors cope with medical, legal and emotional issues, and referral to professional counseling services, if needed.            

Advocacy through public awareness, community education and interagency networking in our service area of Dawson, Habersham, Hall, Lumpkin, and White Counties is an ongoing priority for advocates.
                               

Heather Weaver - Victim Advocate & Volunteer Advocate Coordinator        

Heather also works with volunteers coordinating the monthly on-call schedule for the crisis hotline and hospital companion program. She keeps the volunteers informed and encouraged as they respond to the needs of others in a caring and supportive way.

Christie Smathers - Prevention Educator

Christie teaches the Date Rape Curriculm throughout the five-county service area to 8th grade students with parental permission.  Central concepts of the curriculum include understanding Georgia Laws and myths and facts about sexual assault.  The interactive, 3-session program includes opportunities for discussing healthy dating and how to make safe decisions.