NO MORE VICTIMS, INC. (NMVI) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation created in 1993 for the purpose of reducing victimizing behavior in society by specifically addressing the needs and issues of both the child and adult.

STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY

It is the belief of NMVI that every child is born precious and worthy, and we strive to create an atmosphere wherein each child, woman, and man can actualize this within herself and himself. Our organization teaches that once you learn why you are hurting, then you can learn to stop hurting yourself, then . . . you can learn to stop hurting others. Through this effort, we reduce the propensity for violent, abusive, and addictive behavior; thereby, reducing crime and victimization. Our efforts focus on prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation. We care about our community, our nation, and all of our members. Victimization breeds victimization. Healing breeds healing.

NO MORE VICTIMS, INC. seeks to deter the violent, abusive, and victimizing behavior in our society by using very creative and innovative programming for the purpose of specifically addressing these issues with a special focus on the parent-child relationship and the effect this relationship has on our lives.

ORGANIZATION HISTORY

NMVI was founded by Marilyn K. Gambrell, author and former Texas parole officer, who also founded Perfect Blend, in 1983, which was the most successful support program for parolees within the Texas Parole System.

Over a decade later, Ms. Gambrell joined forces with her successful former clients and other professionals and concerned members of our society to intiate this specialized emotional support organization. NMVI offers education, emotional support, and empowerment to every child and adult in addressing issues such as parent-child relationships, addictions, and victimization, inclusive of prostitution, incarceration, and reintegration, along with many other vairables involved in the healing process.

Our organization has approximately sixteen (16) years experience prior to incorporating, in developing educational, emotional support, and counseling programs. We offer our services to every child and every adult who may need assistance in the balancing of the realites of life.

Our program is offered to the individual child and adult, school systems, adult and juvenile correctional and treatment programs, spiritual institutions, community-based programs, and civic organizations.

Our motto is: "No More Victims, Not Even Ourselves . . . ."

(Bi-Lingual)

Parent-Child Relationship

Non-Payment of Child Support

Empowering the Young Parent

My Feelings Are Real

Validation of Preciousness

Parenting Skills

Surviving Divorce

Incarcerated Parent-Child Relationships

Drug and Alcohol Recovery

Women's Issues and Men's Issues

Juvenile Offenders and Youth at Risk

Women and Men Recovering from Prostitution (Juvenile and Adult)

Coping with Anger

Empowerment through Reading

Realities of Social Diversity

Resource Referrals

Education Program

Workshops and Seminars

Volunteer Services

Children and Families in Crisis

OVERVIEW OF PROGRAMS

Parent-Child Relationship: Education and emotional support regarding the cycle of addictive behaviors. Addresses the painful experiences that children endure and how those experiences affect their behavior as they grow into adolescence and adulthood. Most often, the parent was this very child and is now repeating those painful experiences with his or her own children. (Special focus on teen and young adult parents.)

Non-Payment of Child Support: Education and emotional support of the parent in understanding that failure to pay child support is not only a financial issue, but also an emotional issue for the child.

Empowering the Young Parent: Supporting the teen and young adult mother and father in addressing the issues that are both common as well as unique to each gender (separate groups).

My Feelings Are Real: Addressing that no matter how young we are, our feelings, experiences, and fears are real; and they count and most importantly, they do affect us. The behavior of the parent is not the fault of the child. Involves role-playing, artwork, and sharing.

Validation of Preciousness: Acknowledging and affirming the uniqueness and preciousness of every child and every adult. Includes writing exercises, art therapy, and sharing.

Parenting Skills: Education and emotional support of the parent in understanding the cycle of addictive behaviors, parenting skills, and accepting responsibility for self and family.

Surviving Divorce: Supporting the healing process for the parent and child during the breakup of the family.

Incarcerated Parent-Child Relationships: Education and emotional support of the healing process and reunion of the parent and child regarding pre- and post-incarceration issues. Addressing feelings of abandonment and fear and coping with the adjustment of the relationship after incarceration.

Drug and Alcohol Recovery: Education and emotional support for the recovery process. Behavior modification and crisis intervention.

Women's Issues and Men's Issues: Acknowledging and offering emotional support regarding the aspects of parenting, childhood experiences, parent-child relationships, addictive behaviors, relationships, victimization, and pre- and post-incarceration issues (if applicable) (separate groups).

Spouse and Significant Other: Educating and offering emotional support of the marital and significant other relationships. These include pre- and post-incarceration issues (if applicable), recovery processes, sensitivity and parenting issues, childhood and adulthood trauma, and communication.

Lesbian and Gay Issues: A support system designed to address the specific needs and issues of gay and lesbian individuals relating to family relationships, significant other relationships, social discrimination, addiction, victimization, parenting, and workplace issues.

Women and Men Recovering from Prostitution (Juvenile and Adult): Educating and supporting the healing process and addressing childhood issues, victimization, low self-esteem, financial issues, and addiction. Also through this component, our staff has direct involvement on the streets in the local areas deeply involved in prostitution.

Probation/Parole Violators: Designed for persons who have technically violated probation or parole and have been revoked and served the time assessed. This program is designed to encourage individuals to maintain their responsibilities and obligations while on probation or parole.

After-Treatment/After-Care: A program to assist the individual who has begun the recovery process and has completed an inpatient treatment program. Continued support. Behavior Modification.

Juvenile Offenders and Youth at Risk: Education and emotional support of the juvenile regarding the cycle of addictive behaviors, peer pressure, victimization, teen and young adult parenting, childhood trauma, and the stresses and turmoil of growing up in this decade and the passage into the millennium.

Coping with Anger: Education and emotional support regarding Anger Management through appropriate channeling of aggression by non-violent means.

Empowerment through Reading: Reading skills are taught for every grade level. Reading as a family is encouraged - parent to child, and child to parent. This component is designed to promote education, emotional support, and parent-child bonding.

Life Skills: Education regarding the responsibilities of managing family relationships, employment, recovery, and the stresses of everyday living, inclusive of pre- and post-incarceration issues (if applicable).

Realities of Social Diversity: Designed to address the issues of persons involved in "hate crimes." Learned behavior and self-esteem are the prime focus. Counseling and support in understanding the origins of anger, scapegoating, stereotyping, and bigotry. Behavior Modification.

Resource Referrals: Referring individuals in need of emergency, inpatient and outpatient services for HIV/AIDS intervention, pregnancy, drug and alcohol treatment, domestic violence, homelessness, and child protection issues.

Education Program: Addresses the educational needs of pre-school through high school grade levels, in consideration of emotional issues. Enhancement of learning and coping skills.

Workshops and Training Seminars: Offered to school systems, spiritual institutions, adult and juvenile correctional and treatment agencies, corporations, and community-based programs. Addresses childhood and adulthood trauma and recovery, and its effect on our communities. Education, emotional support, and empowerment.

Volunteer Services: Volunteers are extensively screened and extensively trained prior to participating with our programs.

Children and Families in Crisis: Distributing diapers, various baby items, clothing, food and school supplies to school-aged children. Assistance in addressing pre-natal needs.