Meet Nicole

For more than 20 years, Nicole has demonstrated her heart for Women Aware’s mission to move victim-survivors of domestic violence and their children beyond abuse. In the early days, she hosted book and backpack drives and collected items for babies in emergency shelter. Her commitment morphed into Christmas for a Cause one year, when Nicole and her husband invited their whole family for Christmas Eve dinner, on the condition they make a financial donation to Women Aware. When Nicole and her husband renewed their wedding vows, family and friends knew to donate to Women Aware as their gift to the couple.

Through the years, Nicole connected with Women Aware’s Domestic Violence Response Team (DVRT) Coordinator Anna Andrade. While Nicole felt called to the DVRT, work, school and family commitments did not leave much time for volunteering with Women Aware. That changed early this year when Nicole completed her 40-hour domestic violence training as a member of the DVRT class of 2025. She feels well-prepared and well-supported to be the first face of Women Aware when called out to meet with a victim at the police department following an incident of domestic violence.

Nicole recognizes the all-consuming experience of living with domestic violence while trying to be a mom, dad, caregiver and employee. As she said, life still happens even though a victim may be falling apart on the inside. “I know what it’s like to be scared and have no one there to back you up,” said Nicole. “I want survivors to know they have a team in Women Aware to back them up in any way, shape or form.”

Nicole understands that law enforcement and the courts can be intimidating to survivors. She believes it makes an enormous difference to have a regular person come in the room and say, “I’m so sorry you’re going through this. Let’s see how we can make this better together.”

Thank you for your commitment, Nicole.