VOA-GNY Domestic Violence Symposium

October 23, 2024 | Lehman College, Bronx, NY

A Symposium Exploring the Impact of Domestic Violence on Children and Youth

Each year, an estimated 10 million adults in the US experience domestic violence, and more than 7 million children are exposed to domestic violence.

On October 23, 2024, VOA-GNY is hosting our second annual domestic violence symposium exploring the impact of domestic violence on children and youth—and what can be done to help survivors in our communities.

Featured Speakers

Jacqueline Collazo, LMHC

Director of Domestic Violence Services, Volunteers of America-Greater New York

Bio

Jacqueline “Jackie” Collazo LMHC is a domestic violence services and policy expert with more than two decades of experience in the nonprofit domestic violence services sector. Since 2021, she has served as Director of Domestic Violence Services for Volunteers of America-Greater New York (VOA-GNY), where she manages domestic violence-related programs and community relations, as well as regularly meeting with elected officials to advocate for programs that prevent domestic violence and support survivors. Jackie directly oversees VOA-GNY’s seven domestic violence shelters and related programs, training and overseeing staff, providing clinical supervision, and managing program services. She leads VOA-GNY’s innovative traumatic brain injury screening program, a first-in-the-nation initiative that ensures that all adults at VOA-GNY domestic violence shelters are screened for traumatic brain injury and connected to appropriate medical care and resources.  

Her previous roles include serving as Director of Special Victims Services at New York’s Center for Safety and Change and providing bilingual trauma therapy at organizations such as Safe Horizons, Andrus, and St. Vincents Hospital. She holds a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Suffolk University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Russell Sage College.

Ornellia Cole, MA, LCAT-LP, ATR

Clinical Art Therapist, Volunteers of America-Greater New York

Bio

Ornellia K. Cole earned her Masters Degree in 2015 in Art Therapy from The School of Visual Arts. Prior to her masters she received her Bachelors degree in 2011 in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from St. John’s University. She has always had a strong interest in mental health and the psychology of society.

Ornellia is an advocate for POC and BIPOC mental health, she believes culture and environment influence an individual’s development and coping skills. She has worked in a myriad of settings with various populations and ages from community based programs, youth in the education system, adults experiencing homelessness, addictions, grief, and hospital care.

She takes a client centered approach to therapy combining traditional forms of talk therapy, holistic healing practices and the creative arts to guide clients through the healing process. She believes in meeting a client where they are and encourages a collaborative journey as they work together in a judgment free, safe space that cultivates introspection, connection and exploration through the creative process.

Senator Nathalia Fernandez

34th Senate District, New York State

Bio

Nathalia Fernandez is the New York State Senator for District 34, representing the Bronx and Westchester. As the Chair of the Senate Alcoholism & Substance Use Disorders Committee, she is a leading voice in the fight against the opioid crisis. A daughter of immigrants, Fernandez’s passion for her community and desire to serve have been the driving forces of her career. 

Before becoming a senator, Fernandez served as a Community Director and Chief of Staff in the New York State Assembly, as well as the Governor’s Bronx representative. Elected to the Assembly in 2018, she championed education, mental health, social justice, and women’s rights. Now, as the first Latina to represent the 34th Senate District, she continues to advocate for working families, seniors, and marginalized communities, always striving to make a difference in the lives of her constituents. 

Senator Fernandez’s dedication to her community is the cornerstone of her leadership. She is a strong voice for the people of New York, working every day to build a better future for all. Her commitment to her constituents and her unwavering dedication to service make her an exceptional leader who puts her community first in all her decisions. 

Scott French

Administrator, NYC Human Resources Administration

Bio

The Honorable Vanessa L. Gibson, MPA

Bronx Borough President

Bio

Vanessa L. Gibson is the 14th Bronx Borough President to serve the over 1.4 million residents and families that call the Bronx home.

A native New Yorker, Ms. Gibson began her career serving the people of the West Bronx. Beginning in January 2001, while a student at the University at Albany, she joined the New York State Assembly Intern Program and was assigned to then-Assemblywoman Aurelia Greene. As an Intern, she worked on legislation for the Member, attended meetings, and met with constituents and community groups on behalf of the office.

Upon graduation, Ms. Gibson served as Legislative Aide then would rise to District Manager overseeing the Bronx office and was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the district office, supervising the staff and all administrative and constituent services. Ms. Gibson would serve as the District Manager for several years until Assemblywoman Aurelia Greene would resign from office in May 2009 after twenty-eight years in the Assembly. With community and family support, Ms. Gibson decided to run for the New York State Assembly and was elected to this position in a special election on June 2, 2009 to represent the residents and families of the 77th District in the Bronx.

Ms. Gibson would serve for two terms in the NYS Assembly and then decided to run for an open seat in the New York City Council in 2013, to replace the term limited Council Member Helen Diane Foster. Ms. Gibson was elected to the New York City Council in November 2013.

As a Council Member, Ms. Gibson was a leader on education, affordable housing, criminal justice reform, public safety issues and an advocate for alternatives to incarceration, tenant protections, increased training for our police officers and held the distinction of being the first African-American woman chair of the New York City Council Public Safety Committee.

In 2017, she joined then-Council Member Mark Levine in passing the landmark Right to Counsel Legislation, which provides free legal representation for income-eligible tenants facing eviction in Housing Court. Ms. Gibson has also championed legislation related to food equity and policy by mandating the Mayor’s Office of Food Policy create a ten-year food strategy for the City of New York that identifies food policies, access to healthier options, using community gardens, urban agriculture and access to Health Bucks to address food deserts.

In 2020, she announced her run for Bronx Borough President with a mission to move the Bronx forward with a focus on public safety, food equity, housing insecurity, health and wellness, gender equity, support for the LGBTQIA+ community and a myriad of other issues. Ms. Gibson won her primary election in June, general election in November, and now proudly represents the borough of the Bronx as the first woman and African-American Bronx Borough President. Despite several challenges during the beginning of her first term, Ms. Gibson is optimistic for better days ahead in the Bronx, and is honored and thankful for the opportunity to serve for such a time as this in elected office.

Dr. Edie Zusman, MD, MBA, FAANS

Trauma Neurosurgeon, Neuroscience Partners and CEO/Executive Director, Safe Living Space

Bio

Dr. Zusman is a nationally respected trauma neurosurgeon and Medical Director of Neuroscience Partners. She is known for her clinical research on brain injury resulting from unrecognized concussions and multiple concussions including; child abuse, sexual assault, trauma/accidents, military service and law enforcement. Previously, Dr. Zusman served as Chief of Neurosurgery at the Mayo Clinic Network Affiliate, NorthBay in Solano County where she led the Traumatic Brain Injury and Concussion Clinic. Dr. Zusman has been invited to present her research at national and international meetings. She founded Safe Living Space, an educational philanthropy to address the incredible gaps in brain injury evaluation and care

Dr. Kathleen Monahan, DSW, LCSW, LMFT, CFC

Associate Professor and Founder/Director, Family Violence Education and Research Center, SUNY at Stony Brook

Bio

Dr. Monahan joined the School of Social Welfare faculty in 1996 as Assistant Professor and became Associate Professor in 2000. In 1998, she founded and was the Director of The Family Violence Education and Research Center until 2009. The FVERC’s mission, in collaboration with community and University leaders, was to provide multidisciplinary training and research in the area of family violence.

Dr. Monahan has been in private practice since 1984 and areas of practice and research expertise include women’s health, particularly the effects of childhood sexual abuse, Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), and trauma. She has provided therapy and clinical supervision/consultation in several of the domestic violence shelters on Long Island. Dr. Monahan is a national and international lecturer on these issues. Dr. Monahan’s other interests are interprofessional collaboration and she has investigated the use of humor in therapeutic contexts. Her recent research focuses on women who have experienced Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and IPV.

Agenda

8:30 AM-9:30 AM

Registration & Networking Breakfast

9:30 AM-9:35 AM

Welcome Remarks by Jacqueline Collazo, Director of Domestic Violence Services, VOA-GNY

9:35 AM-9:40 AM

Invocation

9:40 AM-9:50 AM

Opening Remarks by Jacqueline Collazo, Director of Domestic Violence Services, VOA-GNY

9:50 AM-10:00 AM

Video: “A Survivor’s Story”
Introduction by Carmen Fernandez, Assistant Sector Director of Domestic Violence Services, VOA-GNY

10:00 AM-11:00 AM

Innovative Approaches to Services for Young Survivors

11:00 AM-11:15 AM

Networking / Break

11:15 AM

Introduction of Keynote Speakers: Dr. Zusman and Dr. Monahan by Noelle Withers, EVP & Chief Program Officer, VOA-GNY

11:15 AM-12:30 PM

Keynote: Addressing Pediatric Brain Trauma Due to Domestic Violence

12:30 PM-1:15 PM

Networking / Lunch

1:15 PM-2:30 PM

Purple Table Talk

A candid conversation with survivors, elected leaders, providers, and advocates to discuss the impacts of domestic violence on our communities, and explore next steps for offering greater support to survivors.

2:30 PM-2:45 PM

Closing Remarks

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