Company: Network for Victim Recovery of DC, Washington DC
Company Description: NVRDC founders sought to create an organization dedicated to providing a seamless network of referrals and services to all DC crime victims. Network for Victim Recovery of DC empowers victims of all crimes to achieve survivor-defined justice through a collaborative continuum of advocacy, case management and legal services.
Nomination Category: Company/Organization Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Organization of the Year – Government or Non-Profit– More Than 10 Employees
 Nomination Title: Network for Victim Recovery of DC
- Which will you submit for your nomination in this category, a video of up to five (5) minutes, explaining the achievements since July 1, 2021 of the nominated organization, OR written answers to the questions? (Choose one):
Written answers to the questions
- If you are submitting a video of up to five (5) minutes in length, provide the URL of the video here, OR attach it to your entry via the "Add Attachments, Videos, or Links to This Entry" link above, through which you may also upload a copy of your video. If you are submitting written answers to the questions for this category, provide them in the appropriate spaces below:
- Briefly describe the nominated organization: history and past performance (up to 200 words):
Total 160 words used.
In 2012, Network for Victim Recovery of DC founders sought to create an organization dedicated to providing a seamless network of referrals and services to all DC crime victims, from survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, to survivors of hate crimes, identity theft, and the surviving family members of homicide victims. NVRDC empowers these survivors through free, holistic and trauma-informed advocacy, legal, and therapeutic services. The goal of our services is to support survivors through the challenges that arise after a crime and help them understand the options available to them without judgment. What makes NVRDC different from other victim service organizations is our guiding principle of survivor-defined justice, meaning that NVRDC does not believe in a “right” or “wrong” way to react to a victimization, and instead we support our clients in achieving whatever “justice” may look like for them. Since we were founded, we’ve been able to assist over 9,000 survivors in the District of Columbia.
- Outline the organization's achievements since July 1 2021 that you wish to bring to the judges' attention (up to 250 words):
Total 144 words used.
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Our Executive Director, Bridgette Stumpf was awarded the Sandra H. Robinson Women's Caucus Award from the DC Trial Lawyers Association in May 2022.
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Bridgette was also selected to participate in the Leadership Greater Washington’s Class of 2022 and provided a $3,000 scholarship to attend the class.
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In November of 2022 NVRDC's Legal Program Director, Kristin Eliason was awarded the Legal Services Award by the Washington Council of Lawyers (WCL). In describing why she was given the award the WCL stated, "Kristin is a trailblazer in the emerging areas of Title IX representation and crime victims’ rights litigation as one of the few lawyers with extensive experience."
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NVRDC's Advocacy Director, Kris Klassen received DC SAFE's Reimagining Public Safety Award for her work supporting DC survivors in October 2022 from DC SAFE.
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In April of 2023 NVRDC was selected as a Classy Award Finalist.
- Explain why the achievements you have highlighted are unique or significant. If possible compare the achievements to the performance of other players in your industry and/or to the organization's past performance (up to 250 words):
Total 249 words used.
The fact that directors of our two main service programs were awardees in the past year says a lot about our staff’s passion for and excellence in supporting survivors. These awards are significant to the years, even decades our leadership has given to survivors. The awards received since 2021 are reflective of how NVRDC has grown exponentially over the past 5 years. When NVRDC was founded in 2012, it started from a $200K seed grant with 2.5 full-time employees. Now in 2023, our annual budget is over $4 million with over 40 full-time employees. NVRDC is a unique nonprofit in that it is the only nonprofit in DC providing services to survivors regardless of victimization, representing crime victims in criminal cases, representing youth in legal matters, and representing student-survivors on college and university campuses (we're also one of a handful of nonprofits doing this work nationwide). In the past few years, NVRDC has been able to expand our services and programming. For example in 2022 we proudly launched our Trauma-Informed Education Project, where we design and provide custom training programs to anyone who interacts with survivors. This program allows us to bring trauma training to anyone who may work with or encounter survivors, taking society one step closer toward providing a dignified and empowered experience wherever survivors may turn for help. DV LEAP joined NVRDC in 2022; they are a national leader in appellate advocacy on behalf of survivors, representing them at both the state and federal level.
- Reference any attachments of supporting materials throughout this nomination and how they provide evidence of the claims you have made in this nomination (up to 250 words):
Total 130 words used.
Attached are our two most recent annual impact reports which highlight any program updates, new additions, and so forth. These visually show how we have grown each year as an organization built to serve survivors. Storytelling is one of the best ways to learn more about an organization and their impact on folks, so we have attached some videos from our YouTube channel to convey that to you all. The brochures attached give you another perspective; one of a survivor or family member seeking resources and assistance. Various press coverage articles are listed as well as press releases NVRDC has made where we have been mentioned or quoted. This can show how NVRDC takes a stand on certain issues pertaining to the District of Columbia and how it affects survivors.
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