Emporians receive statewide honors for work against violence
Special to The Gazette
Monday, March 16, 2009
TOPEKA — Two dedicated Emporia residents working on behalf of victims of sexual and domestic violence have been recognized by the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence. Yvette Sosa received the Juliene Maska Advocate of the Year award and Mark Schreiber received the Community-Based Ally of the Year award. The coalition presented the awards during its sixth annual Safe Homes, Safe Streets evening gala in Topeka.
“We honor both Yvette and Mark for their tireless efforts on behalf of victims of sexual and domestic violence,” said Sandy Barnett, executive director of the coalition. “This work often goes unrecognized, but it is transformative and life-saving in many cases. Community members play a critical role in addressing the needs of victims throughout our state. It will take all of us to achieve safe homes and safe streets in Kansas.”
Sosa has worked at SOS in Emporia for almost six years, but she has been an advocate for many years. She is a survivor who turned her life experience into a passion for helping others.
As a bilingual advocate, Sosa has been instrumental in working with the Latino community, reaching across cultural and language barriers to assist Spanish-speaking victims. The staff of SOS nominated Sosa for the award.
“Yvette and a co-worker created a Spanish-speaking support group and it quickly outgrew its capacity,” said Susan Moran, executive director of SOS. “This is just one example of how Yvette goes above and beyond to meet the needs of victims.”
The coalition’s Juliene Maska Advocate of the Year Award is named for one of the founding mothers in the movement to end violence against women and children in Kansas. Juliene was one of the founders of KCSDV’s member program in Hays. While serving as president of the former Kansas Association of Domestic Violence Programs, Juliene came to Topeka to help then Attorney General Bob Stephan build his vision of a strong victims’ rights movement in Kansas.
As past chair and a current board member of SOS in Emporia, Schreiber has donated countless hours, has given numerous presentations and has served as a media spokesperson to rally his community in an effort to end sexual assault and domestic violence. The staff of SOS nominated Schrieber for the award.
“In an arena where men’s voices are not always present, Mark diligently promotes that sexual and domestic violence are not just women’s issues — they are an entire community’s issue,” said Moran. “Mark is always ready and willing to be a vocal champion for the cause.”
SOS provides crisis services to victims of sexual and domestic violence. Its service area includes Lyon, Chase, Coffey, Greenwood, Morris and Osage counties. Visit SOS online at www.soskansas.com
Since 1995 the coalition has recognized outstanding advocates and allies who dedicate countless hours to addressing sexual and domestic violence.
create (anonymous) says...
Good work, Ms Sosa and Mr. Schreiber. SOS is one of the most valuable agencies in Emporia for the work that it does with domestic violence. Thanks also to the leadership of Susan Moran. I wish the laws against violators were more stringent.
March 16, 2009 at 5:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )