Victim Support Services: Important non-profit hoping for your help

EVERETT -- There is a non- profit organization that was the first of its kind in Washington State and one of the first in the U.S. They provide services to thousands of people, but are now in need of a little help themselves. “We provide support to people who have been victims of crime and that’s a really broad statement.  It can be anything from homicide to robbery to assault or identity theft- just a broad variety of crimes,” explains  the executive director of Victim Support Services. They were formally known a Friends and Family of Violent Crime Victims, but even though their name is different, the services they offer to the community are the same. Martin says, “It may mean they need crime scene clean up, it may mean they need a door lock changed. We’ll help them find the services or provide them ourselves free of charge.” Lori Nemitz remembers how the organization helped after her mom and step dad were murdered. “On September 28th, 2011, we’d been trying to get a hold of my mom for a couple of days,” Nemitz says. Sensing something was wrong,  Lori went to her mother’s home. “I noticed the bedroom door was closed and I opened the door and found my mom laying on her bed. I guess the only thankful thing I could say is they covered her with a comforter.” She had been stabbed to death. Her step-father was found ten days later shot to death inside his car. Nemitz  attends support meetings offered by Victim Support Services and says,  “I have flashbacks from finding her.” Now, budget cuts could put an end to most of it, if not all, of the organization’s programs. Martin says, “We’ve lost roughly 35% of our funding from the state and federal over the last year and a half and going into this next year. This next year is really going to be critical for us to try to figure out where we’re going to get that funding from, and frankly, I’m very worried about it. I don’t know how we’re going to do it.” Last year, Victim Support Services helped more than 1400 people impacted by crime. Many, like Lori, feel we can’t afford to do without this kind of option. “I think it should be something that’s required just like the domestic violence information that they have to hand out to somebody involved in DV. I think they should have to hand this out for people who are victims of other violent crimes,” said Nemitz. There is some good news, however, because this organization is a non-profit, they can accept public donations. CLICK HERE for more information on Victim Support Services, and to donate.