Presmyk joined VVS in 2019
COTTONWOOD, Ariz. — For nearly 8 years, Cassandra Presmyk has worn many hats at Verde Valley Sanctuary (VVS) including emergency shelter advocate, outreach and lay legal advocate, overseeing shelter and transitional housing operations and much more.
Moving forward, Presmyk, now Chief Programs Officer, will oversee both residential and community-based programs in effort to streamline services at VVS as they continue to serve survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
“This restructure represents the absolute strength and caliber of leadership at Verde Valley Sanctuary. Cassandra has worked as an advocate in both departments and demonstrated her capacity to lead,” VVS Chief Executive Officer Jessye Johnson said.
In a coinciding move, Evah West, who has worked at VVS for more than 20 years, was promoted to Resident Services Property Manager and will oversee the day-to-day at VVS’ emergency shelter and transitional housing.
“Evah is respected among her peers and is ready to take on a higher-level leadership role,” Johnson said.
This follows the conclusion of longtime VVS employee Vivien Mann’s tenure with the agency. Mann previously oversaw community-based services.
“Vivien has dedicated her life to working with survivors, and her time at Verde Valley Sanctuary is no exception,” Johnson said. “She will be missed by her co-workers and survivors she had the opportunity to work with.”
Presmyk said her new role will allow VVS services to work more closely together rather than operating as silos.
“Having one director oversee both programs will create a more organic and connected flow of services, helping to ensure that survivors experience a seamless continuum of care,” Presmyk said.
Clients who need emergency shelter can stay up to 120 days with VVS, however the agency serves nearly 100 clients a year who still need help, but don’t necessarily need housing. That is where the Community Based Services Center, 221 S. Main St. in Cottonwood, comes in.
Advocates working within the community-based program meet with survivors to offer case management, referrals, housing assistance, and educational support groups. Lay legal advocates assist survivors with navigating the often confusing and intimidating civil legal system by providing them with information and resources. They also help survivors with obtaining protection orders, completing and filing critical paperwork and attend court hearings.
“This transition will hopefully eliminate unnecessary frustrations and barriers for survivors when they call or walk into one of our centers. Residential and community-based programs naturally work in tandem, and strengthening that connection will allow us to better meet survivors where they are,” Presmyk said.
West said she’s excited about the transition to a new role, and for the opportunity to continue to serve survivors.
“I’m definitely looking forward to this new path and applying my knowledge to this position to serve our clients and provide the care and compassion our survivors need,” West said, adding that VVS’ mission to provide safety, services, and comfort to survivors of domestic and sexual violence is close to her heart.
“Being able to assist the people we serve and help them on their path to become their own person, and succeed in making a difference in their lives, even if a small one, is the best feeling ever,” West said.
About
Verde Valley Sanctuary’s mission is to provide safety, services, and comfort to survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The agency began in 1993 as a grassroots organization with a leased modular home that slept six and has grown into a 28-bed emergency shelter with transitional housing options, lay legal advocacy services, community-based advocacy support, a 24/7/365 crisis hotline (928-634-2511) and a staff that takes pride in its youth violence prevention education and public outreach and awareness. VVS is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and qualifying charitable organization for the Arizona Tax Credit. Federal Tax ID: #86-071314; QCO Code: #20041. Visit VerdeValleySanctuary.org for more information.