In this Summer 2018 Bonus episode, Maria Suarez and Rachel Bruning of Avalon Center sit down with Crossville Souls producer and host, Chester Goad and share personal stories and highlights of Avalon Center. Check it out! Learn about two of the people who keep Avalon front and center in the Crossville and Surrounding area as one of the leading resources for community awareness, and prevention of domestic assault! Then go to iTunes and rate the show! Shownotes and Bios below!
BIOS:
Rachel Bruning is a 2008 graduate of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, receiving a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science. Rachel has been an employee of the Avalon Center Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program since October 2008. The majority of Rachel’s training is in responding to domestic violence and sexual assault survivors and the community and professional response to sexual assault and domestic violence. Rachel was instrumental in organizing the Cumberland County SART. In 2009, the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence presented Rachel with the HEART award for her exceptional contributions to the elimination of sexual violence through efforts in education and advocacy. Rachel graduated Nashville School of Law in 2013. She passed the Tennessee Bar and became the Staff Attorney in 2014. In May of 2015, Rachel became the Executive Director of the Avalon Center. Additionally, she is on the Board of Directors for Homeless Advocacy of Rural Tennessee, a Continuum of Care and serves as the Board Chairman.
Maria Suarez started with the Avalon Center Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Program part time as the Van Buren County Court Advocate and Child & Youth Advocate in April 2014. In July of 2015 Maria became the Lead Child & Youth Advocate and moved into her current position as the Director of the Child & Youth Program in August 2016. Maria is responsible for reforming the Children’s Program as a whole by creating and implementing services and programs that cultivate enrichment and growth for the clients served. Maria is certified as a “Level B Assessor” and is additionally certified in “Children’s Assessment of Needs and Strengths” (CANS), both are tools used to strengthen services provided in the Avalon Center. Through collaborating and strengthening relationships in the community, Maria has majorly enhanced our Pet Program, which is used to support victims and survivors who are fleeing violent situations with their pets. In April of 2018 Maria became a Certified Yoga Teacher and is currently working on designing a Yoga Program for the agency so that free yoga classes may be provided to the adult and child survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
MENTIONED ON THE SHOW: SHOW NOTES!
Hunter Grigg
Bri Murphy
Cole Kemmer
Grinder House
Pour House
Ah Mah & Son Asian Eatery
Hidden Valley Farm
TAD Center
