Adelita Avila

Senior Bilingual Victim Advocate

Madd North Texas Affiliate

United States

Professional Summary

Adelita Avila, Bilingual Senior Victim Advocate,MADD-North Texas Dallas AffiliateAdelita?? personal experience with MADD has afforded her the opportunity to enhance Hispanic Outreach initiatives in the Dallas area and pioneer several ground-breaking diversity programs both locally and nationally.Highlights during Tenure: --Developed ??a Promesa Roja??(The Red Pledge) for use in the Dallas area in 1996. The first year of this holiday safe-driving program prompted the DWI Task Force in Dallas County to assist in the distribution of over 5,000 red ribbons in the Hispanic community. --Participated in the first Spanish-speaking training by MADD-National. Both beginning and advanced institutes were conducted entirely in Spanish in the area of basic policy and procedures, and advanced training dealt with Restorative Justice Issues involving crime victims and the criminal justice system.--Developed training programs for Special Populations including: ??eath Notification and Cultural Sensitivity??and ??he Cultural Impact of Crime: The Untold Story.??br />--Developed initial concept of a Latino Advisory Council (LAC) for MADD chapters in communities with significant Hispanic populations. Coordinated the first LAC with MADD in Dallas.--Coordinated the first ??asa Las Llaves??(Pass the Keys) campaign in Dallas. MADD National developed ??asa Las Llaves??as a pilot program in 2000 through a grant from Mitsubishi Motors. MADD in Dallas was one of the first selected sites for this new program, and Ms. Avila Contributed significantly to the acceptance of this life saving program and its important message to the Dallas Hispanic community. During the initial ??asa??program, the LAC in Dallas accomplished the following:--Developed the tag line of ??asa Las Llaves????Protect your loved ones, celebrate your culture, don?? drink, and drive.--Addressed the Dallas City Council during debate regarding the naming rights of the Latino Cultural Arts Center. Ms. Avila herself testified against the proposal to name the center the ??ose Cuervo Cultural Center.?? Upon reflection, the Council tabled the original proposal and later named the center auditorium to ??ak Farms Dairy Auditorium.??br />Personal Highlight ??Founder of the first Spanish Red Ribbon Campaign in Dallas Countyin 1996. ??a Promesa Roja??translates to ??he Red Promise??to not drink and drive.-- Countless interviews with English and Spanish media pertaining to issues of victimization, education and awareness, legislative initiatives, relevant events such as Candlelight Vigil, MADD DASH 5k and 10k run, personal testimony of surviving victimization and the ability to empower oneself to survive.-- Television Channels: Fox 4, 23, 39, 33, 11, 5, 68.-- Dallas Morning News, Al DIA Newspaper, Garland News, La Fuente magazine, MADD National Office?? ??riven??magazine and Youth Track Program for MADD National.-- Channel 23 honored Ms. Avila?? work for MADD as an ??nsung Hero.??br />Personal Highlight - The tribute to my family on PAX-TV show ??t?? a Miracle,??a story of hope, faith, and encouragement. --Coordinates the Spanish Victim Impact Panel, a court ordered 1st DWI Offender program. We work with a moderator who speaks in reference to alcohol consumption and how it begins to impair one?? mental and physical faculties while driving, I speak on crime victims and how we are impacted for the rest of our lives. I work in collaboration with the Alcoholics Anonymous in closing the program. Wonderful team approach each month and we are well received. -- I recently became certified as a crisis response team member with the Dallas Police Department and Victim Relief Ministries, a faith-based agency. Specifically geared to work with Spanish Speaking victims of all crimes. -- I was part of a committee with Texas Victim Services Association, and we worked to adopt a ??ode of Ethics??into their bylaws. The work of the committee was presented to the board of TVSA and hopefully they will implement this important procedure in the credentialing process of certifying crime victim advocates as a profession in Texas. I had an awesome opportunity to work in this historical endeavor. Led by Janice Lord this committee completed its work in 06/2005. -- May 18, 2006 Adelita Avila was recognized both locally and nationally as Victim Advocate of the year. Kim Judin Chief Prosecutor over the Dallas County Misdemeanor Division nominated Adelita for her exceptional work with crime victims. The Crime?? Victim Council of Dallas County made up of forty service providers voted Adelita Avila as their top choice.-- April 18, 2007 Adelita Avila was recognized at the Texas Rangers pre-game ceremony held April 23, 2007 as a Community Hero for the Texas Rangers and Chevrolet?? ??eroes en la Comunidad program?? Mrs. Avila received a 500.00 check to give to the charity of choice intern she donated the funds to her local chapter of MADD.PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS:Channel 23 Advisory Board 2000 - presentMember, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 2005 ??presentMember, Texas Victim Services Association 1999 - present

Skills

Specialization

Accessing local resoures for families that are injured due to a crash or a fatality. I research and taylor to meet the need for the crime victims urgent request., Legal advocacy in criminal cout specifically the Spanish speaking population