{"id":397,"date":"2018-01-31T19:34:10","date_gmt":"2018-01-31T19:34:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/madd.org\/virginia\/?p=397"},"modified":"2022-05-26T12:28:44","modified_gmt":"2022-05-26T12:28:44","slug":"meet-new-victim-services-specialists-part-2-emily-barker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/madd.org\/virginia\/meet-new-victim-services-specialists-part-2-emily-barker\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet Our New Victim Services Specialists Part 2: Emily Barker"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Two weeks ago we met Lara Bradshaw, one of our two new Victim Services Specialists here at MADD Virginia.<\/h4>\n

This week, we would like to introduce the other half of the dynamic duo, Emily Barker.<\/h2>\n

Originally from Chester, Virginia, Emily joins us from YWCA Richmond, where she worked as the Coordinator for Emergency Services, providing services for victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence.<\/p>\n

Her passion for advocacy work began while she was in college during which she completed a practicum at a local child advocacy center. Emily recounts, \u201cI knew from that experience [that] working as an advocate was my calling. Being an advocate for victims and survivors in any capacity\u2026allows me to continue my own passion to advocate for those who have been impacted by a crisis, and to empower those affected to continue living their best lives after a traumatic event.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the Coordinator for Emergency Services with YWCA Richmond, she helped those impacted by domestic and sexual violence. At MADD Virginia, Emily is a Victim Services Specialist. Here, she provides supportive services and referrals to victims and survivors of alcohol and drugged driving crashes, for the areas of Central and Western Virginia.<\/p>\n

Of her new position Emily said, \u201cI hope to bring my enthusiasm and passion to make a change, and my compassion for victims and survivors going through an unfortunate crisis. Drunk driving crashes are 100% preventable. I look forward to making a difference by spreading the knowledge of MADD\u2019s mission of No More Victims.\u201d<\/p>\n

Just for fun:<\/h4>\n

In her free time, Emily enjoys spending time with her friends and family, and partaking in the cornucopia of fun activities Richmond has to offer. She is especially a fan of the many festivals that take place in the city throughout the year. An athlete, Emily plays in a co-ed adult indoor soccer league, enjoys running around RVA, watching sports, and playing with her adorable black lab, Cosmo.<\/p>\n

One of the first things we learned about Emily when she joined the team at MADD Virginia is that she is a hard worker, and an avid lover of coffee. It is fitting that when asked what would be the title of her autobiography, she responded, \u201cLet\u2019s Do This!\u2014But First, Coffee!\u201d<\/p>\n

If she could go back in time and give one piece of advice to herself as a teenager, she quotes the wisdom of the late Maya Angelou, \u201cCourage is the most important of all the virtues, because without courage you can\u2019t practice any other virtue consistently. You can practice any virtue erratically, but nothing consistently without courage.\u201d This is a piece of advice Emily has taken to heart, and practices daily. One that is essential to her role as Victim Advocate, as often, advocates are the source of strength those going through a crisis need.<\/p>\n

We are thrilled to have Emily as a part of the team at MADD Virginia, and look forward to the outstanding work both she and Lara will do for our state for years to come!<\/p>\n