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An Inspiring Woman on a Mission: Rebecca Mooney

women on a mission Jan 12, 2018
 

In the 1990s, the Melrose League of Women Voters commissioned a survey that showed a dire need for domestic violence services in this suburb of Boston with a population of about 28,000.

When the league members discovered there were 150 restraining orders on file with the Melrose Police Department, they acted quickly. A nonprofit called the Melrose Alliance Against Violence (MAAV) was formed and drew its governing members from the league, the police, schools, the clergy, the local hospital and a battered women’s organization.

An office was established and, in 1996, the group held the first of its annual signature event – a walk and candlelight vigil to raise awareness about domestic violence. A year later, MAAV had hired Rebecca Mooney as its executive director.

Rebecca, who holds a Master’s degree in Education, had already worked for several years as a counselor and nonprofit manager. She took the momentum from the founding of MAAV and built on it, spearheading a range of violence programs for local schools and the community at large. They included bullying prevention, domestic and teen dating violence prevention, mentorship training and peer leadership programs.

Rebecca also took her passion for her cause on the road, serving as a panelist and guest speaker on bullying and teen dating violence prevention at conferences sponsored by children’s groups, law enforcement and hospitals. In 2013 Rebecca spoke at the White House as part of Teen Dating Violence Prevention Month.

Throughout the years, MAAV has expanded and evolved to address the underlying causes of domestic violence as well as helping victims connect with the resources they need.

Programs on healthy relationships were instituted at the middle-school level, and MAAV worked with the local high school to create a peer mediation program and Student Action Board that works with MAAV staff to implement violence prevention programs. After Massachusetts passed an anti-bullying law, MAAV began to offer training for students, staff and parents across the state. It also expanded its domestic violence trainings for healthcare providers.

MAAV recently held its 22nd Annual Walk and Candlelight Vigil and had the largest turnout ever – 800 people walking a two-mile loop throughout the city to honor victims of domestic violence and raising almost $50,000 to help programs to eradicate this problem.

Today, MAAV has established a strong reputation as a leader in innovative programming and community collaboration both within and beyond Melrose. It has assisted the surrounding communities to launch similar organization, while continuing its mission of raising awareness, providing education, connecting victims to local resources and breaking the cycle of domestic violence.

One of the great strengths of MAAV’s marketing outreach is its social media presence. A look at its Facebook page shows a terrific balance of posts highlighting national trends (such entries about the #MeToo movement) and local stories highlighting the effect MAAV has in the community.

Are you a Woman on a Mission? A #ChangeMaker working hard to make the world a kinder, brighter place for those in need? I'd love to share your story.

All you have to do is fill out this form and share with me your vision, your mission, your journey and the impact you're making through the work of your small nonprofit. I'd love to feature you as a Woman on a Mission AND bring a little more attention to your good work with a little marketing love!