Who We Are
One Place Metro Alabama Family Justice Center is a collaboration between the YWCA Central Alabama, Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, City of Birmingham-Birmingham Police Department, Hispanic Coalition of Alabama, and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. OUR MISSION: To provide coordinated services to victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence through a multi-disciplinary team of professionals working together under one roof. ONE PLACE SEEKS TO remove barriers to reporting interpersonal violence in our community.
YWCA Central Alabama
Case Managers from the YWCA Central Alabama provide a full range of services to victims of domestic violence, stalking and dating violence. Case managers can make referrals for individual and group counseling and connect you with YWCA’s confidential emergency shelters where victims and their families can find help and safety. Attorneys from the YWCA Family Law Center work with One Place to provide comprehensive civil legal services to victims. Civil legal concerns may include divorce, child custody and visitation, housing, public benefits, immigration and other non- criminal issues. YWCA Court Advocates help victims navigate the complicated legal process and court system, even accompanying them to court.
Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama
HICA! is a community development and advocacy organization that champions economic equality, civic engagement, and social justice for Latino families in Alabama. Its various programs individually address social, civic, and economic integration to empower Latinos to successfullv adapt and integrate- all so the have the opportunity to achieve their dreams and aspirations.
In particular. the Strong Families program serves as the first point of contact for people who come to HICA! in search of information. They are provided both internal references to the other programs of HICA! and external referrals to community services. This program helps new immigrant families navigate their new community, quiding them as to what their rights and responsibilities are as community members and to assist families in setting individual and family goals. The Strong Families team is made up of caseworkers with fully bilingual staff who assess each person’s needs.
Birmingham Police Department
The Birmingham Police Department’s Domestic Violence Unit has on-site staff at One Place to interview victims. take victims statements and gather information to begin initial investigations. The work to explain the criminal justice system, assist victims with filing reports and offer advice about warrants and protection orders. The Domestic Violence Unit staff ensures that all reports are complete and that the case is assigned to a detective for further investigation. The Birmingham Police Department is dedicated to serving the people of Birmingham by working in partner- ship with the community to enforce the law, preserve peace, reduce fear, and maintain order.
Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office
Representatives from the Jefferson County District Attorney’s office are on site at One Place to help victims navigate the criminal justice system from the beginning of a criminal case to its resolution. A prosecutor is available on-site to answer questions about the process and to work side by side with law enforcement and other partners. The District Attorney’s office is dedicated to protecting the rights and interests of all victims of crime while aggressively prosecuting those who engage in criminal activity. Some crime victims may also be eligible for counseling provided through the State of Alabama or entitled to assistance with medical or other bills related to the offense. The DA’s Victims Services Office has a network of resources to ensure a victim’s rights are fully protected and that justice is served
Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
The mission of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is to preserve the public peace, to impartially enforce the law, and to ensure the safety of residents and businesses. The vision of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is to effectively bridge the gap between the department and the community through excellent service, transparency, and community partnerships. The Sheriff’s Office will deliver the highest level of service as we work to ensure that Jefferson County is a place where residents can safelv live, learn, and earn.
Board of Directors
Crawford Downs
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Susan Evans
Community Volunteer
Anne Marie Everly
BBVA Compass
Laura Luckie Finch
LLF Counseling
Liesel French
Birmingham Pediatric Associates
Myeisha Hutchinson
Birmingham City Council
Toni Leeth
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Jeff McGee
Community Volunteer
Kelly Peace
Regions Bank
Beth Pitman
Waller, Lansden, Dortch & Davis, LLP
Aldos Vance
Vance Dispute Resolution
Ginny Willings
Brasfield & Gorrie
Executive Director
Allison L. Dearing is the Executive Director of One Place Family Justice Center in Birmingham. Before coming to One Place, Allison worked with local colleges and universities to prevent and address domestic violence and sexual assault on campus. Prior to that she served as Director of the Jefferson County Coordinated Community Response, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration and coordination of services between first responders to domestic violence cases in the greater Birmingham area. Allison began her career as a staff attorney in the Birmingham office of Legal Services Alabama where she represented survivors of domestic violence in divorce, custody, child support, and protection order cases.
Email Allison at adearing@oneplacebirmingham.com.
Director of Hope Initiatives
Kelly Klehm is the Director of Hope Initiatives at One Place Metro Alabama Family Justice Center. She is the coordinator of the Camp HOPE America – Alabama program which is an out of school time learning program for youth impacted by domestic violence. Kelly works with schools and community agencies in Jefferson County to identify participants for Camp HOPE programming. She recruits volunteer Hope Coaches, plans monthly group events, and directs a week of summer camp in partnership with YMCA Camp Cosby. Kelly conducts outreach to community agencies, schools and universities, and churches. Kelly shares information with community leaders and services providers about One Place’s resources, and she also educates partners on the science of hope and how to build trauma-informed, hope-centered systems that support survivors and those who help survivors. Prior to working at One Place, Kelly was the Program Director for Girls on the Run Birmingham and has worked as a public school teacher, literacy program director, and autism therapist. Kelly has a BA in Elementary Education from Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI and an MA in Reading and Learning Disabilities from Cardinal Stritch University also in Milwaukee. She is a 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher, is an active member of the Junior League of Birmingham, and serves on the board of The Surge Project.
Email Kelly at kklehm@oneplacebirmingham.com
Project Coordinator
Danielle Mars is an experienced nonprofit professional, with over 10 years of experience with substance abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault. Currently, she is the project coordinator for the One Place Metro Alabama Family Justice Center based Multidisciplinary/DV Firearm project (FTAP). Before coming to One Place, Danielle was a victim advocate supervisor, where she provided a safe space for victims to feel heard and supported. She is a self-described macro social worker with micro tendencies. Danielle knows the importance of having competent and balanced (mental-physical-emotional) advocates and works hard to bring awareness to the field of Intimate Partner Violence and Mental Wellness. Danielle Mars holds master’s degrees in counseling and social work. She is originally from Marion, AL.
Email Danielle at dmars@oneplacebirmingham.com
Navigator
Deborah Boothe is the Navigator at One Place Family Justice Center. Her role is to serve as the first point of contact for all visitors and callers to One Place. She ensures that clients are informed of their confidentiality rights and completes a short screening form with clients so partnering agencies can support all their needs. She also provides administrative and clerical support for the One Place team. Deborah holds a BA in Multidisciplinary Studies/Education and a MA in Secondary Education/Mathematics. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering in community outreach and women’s organizations.
Email Deborah at dboothe@oneplacebirmingham.com
