By Noah Chandler

nchandler@cullmantimes.com

Five years ago Kenosha Davenport sat in class at college and listened to a guest speaker explain the responsibilities of being a victims’ advocate. Though she was only a student, Davenport said that speech set her on a path toward helping other people.

“I just thought what she described was great,” Davenport said. “I thought I really had to look into it.”

Davenport graduated from UAH with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology in 2004. She said she had to wait for a few months before she was able to secure a position as the on-call shelter relief worker at Victim Services of North Alabama in Huntsville. She said during her five years of service at Victim Services she moved up in the ranks from volunteer to coordinator.

“Less than a year later I was promoted to the volunteer coordinator, and another year later I was promoted to the rape response coordinator’s position,” Davenport said. “My last position was direct response coordinator. I was responsible for providing one-on-one counseling for victims of sexual assault, as well as facilitating support groups for sexual assault.”

The 29-year-old mother of two lives in Moulton with her husband, Terenza Topps, and her twins, 10-year-olds Kaylar and Kylar. When asked what persuaded her to come to Cullman, she smiled and paused.

“I was at work one day and received an e-mail from my associate director and it said they were looking for a director. So I really thought about it and said I would be great at it,” Davenport said. “I have been moving at a fast pace, and I said it’s just the next step for me. It’s the process of evolution. I threw my hat into the ring and here I am. ...I guess you can say I was a Valentine’s Day present,” said Davenport.

Davenport who began her job Feb. 14 said she is looking forward to working with the different agencies and social service groups in Cullman to make sure Victim Services is providing a complete care package for its clients. She said in 2007 the agency had a total of 337 non-duplicate clients.

Davenport said she has many goals for victim services while director.

“One of my primary goals is to provide more visibility for my agency, making sure victims know there is somewhere safe to go,” Davenport said. “We are also looking to increase the number of males that we have helping to rid our community of sexual and domestic violence. So eventually I am hoping there won’t be a need for victim’s services or Harbor Haus because we no longer have domestic violence or sexual violence.”

One big challenge Davenport said the agency faces is funding. She said over the years the federal government has cut funding to other victim services agencies across the country.

“We will have to continue to find funding, especially the way the economy has gone,” Davenport said. “We are seeing cuts in other programs, so we will have a lot of work to do.”

Davenport said anyone who is in a victim of domestic violence or sexual abuse can call the Victim Services 24-hour crisis line at 734-6100.