ABOUT WCJ

The Women’s Center of Jacksonville, founded in 1995 as a non-profit, community-based resource center dedicated to improving the lives of women, has grown from providing a limited information and referral service from a rented room in the Riverside neighborhood to serving over 7,500 persons annually at our locations in Arlington, the S.A.F.E. Center in Southside, and satellite locations in Nassau and Baker counties. In addition to our educational, mental health counseling, peer support, and rape victim advocacy services, WCJ is the certified Rape Crisis Center for Duval, Nassau, and Baker counties and provides forensic exams for sexual assault survivors of all genders over the age of 18.

 

WE ARE THE Women’s Center of Jacksonville is a 90-second video showcasing who we are and what we do.

It brings the 2020-2021 Annual Report alive and highlights the impact we’re having in our community and shares some feedback from those we’ve supported.

Credit: Chandra Manning, WCJ Board

 

Watch Video Here

Our Mission

The Women’s Center of Jacksonville improves the lives of women through advocacy, support and education and provides rape recovery services for individuals of all genders.

The WCJ Team

  • Alejandra Santiago, Volunteer Coordinator
  • Alexa Parson, Victim Advocate
  • Alivea Maynard, Victim Advocate
  • Amanda Rodeiro, Prevention Facilitator
  • Angela Carrero Ibeseta, Victim Advocate, bi-lingual
  • Annola Little, Community Education Advocate
  • Breanna Holloway, Counseling Intern
  • Brie Roberts, Counselor
  • Callie Avant, Director of Counseling
  • Catherine Dittaugh, Reception
  • Chantel Scherer, Development Director
  • Claire Watson-Irving, Counseling 
  • Courtney Boggs, Counselor
  • Denise Jones, Counselor, bi-lingual
  • Derrica Curtis, Counselor
  • Eileen Rodden, Bosom Buddies Coordinator
  • Erica Turner, Victim Advocate
  • Hannah Wade, Counseling Administrative Assistant
  • Hope Timoney, Victim Advocate (Baker County)
  • Ireanna Moore, Prevention Facilitator
  • Jacqueline Henderson, SAFE Nurse
  • Jamie Farhat, Counselor & Counseling Coordinator
  • Jasmine Mason, Victim Advocate
  • Jelisse Cortes, Victim Advocate (Bi-Lingual)
  • Kaelyn Haddon, Victim Advocate
  • Katina Williams, Grants Manager
  • Keyko Figueroa, Victim Advocate
  • Kierre Paramore, Counseling Intern
  • Kimberly Baker, SAFE Program Nurse
  • Kristine Creter, Staff Accountant
  • Latisha Moore, HR Coordinator
  • Lori Armstrong, Victim Advocate (Nassau County)
  • Madison Harvey, Counselor
  • Makenzie Groff, Victim Advocate
  • Mallory Warner, Advocacy and Prevention Director
  • Paulina Suarez, Victim Advocate
  • Sarah Magliano, SAFE Program Coordinator
  • Sarah Wiese, Rural Advocacy and SAFE Program Director
  • Sheila Grimes, SAFE Nurse
  • Shonteka Durrant, Counselor
  • Sofia Rubin, Counselor
  • Theresa Andre, Advocate Coordinator
  • Tip Dixon, Relocation Advocate

Board of Directors

Officers

  • President: Laura VanZee, Vice President, Commercial Banker, Truist Bank
  • 1st Vice President: Sharón Simmons, Attorney
  • 2nd Vice President: Chandra Manning, Chief Operating Officer, Jacksonville Speech & Hearing Center
  • Secretary: Earlene Schanze
    Retired Lead Data Architect, Hewlett Packard Enterprise
  • Treasurer: Bob Pinder
    Chief Compliance Officer, Black Knight

Directors

  • Alma Ballard, Executive Director, Family Housing Management Co.
  • Barbara Barrett, Retired Attorney
  • Michelle Drinks, Assistant Director of Development, University of North Florida
  • Lisé Everly, Retired Human Resources Professional
  • Megan Hayward, CEO, Temporary Assistance Guru
  • Sara Meinke, System Director, Baptist Health System
  • Kellie Smith, Director, Foundation, Jewish Federation and Foundation of Northeast Florida
  • Jessica Travers
    Attorney, Littler Mendelson, PC
  • Sam Webber, Real Estate Broker, Farrell International Realty LLC

Interested in Volunteering for WCJ?

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Information

A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the division of consumer services by calling toll-free with the state of Florida. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by the state of Florida. The Women’s Center of Jacksonville’s Registration Number is: CH4481. Contact the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) or www.FloridaConsumerHelp.com