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VICTIMS ASSISTANCE CENTER OF JEFFERSON COUNTY INC

WATERTOWN, NY · EIN 161119247 · Form 990 · FY2024 · NTEE P43Z · Human Services · Medium ($1M-$10M)
revenue
$3.9M
expenses
$3.3M
net assets
$4.2M
employees
58
volunteers
45
program ratio
83%
mission · from form 990

TO ASSIST AND PROVIDE DIRECT SERVICES TO VICTIMS/SURVIVORS OF VIOLENCE AND CRIME IN JEFFERSON COUNTY.

profile · synthesized from sources

Victims Assistance Center of Jefferson County provides direct support services to victims and survivors of violence and crime in Jefferson County, New York. The organization offers a 24-hour hotline, crisis intervention, counseling, criminal justice and medical advocacy, safety planning, and operates an Immediate Response Team that accompanies law enforcement to assault scenes. It also runs a Child Advocacy Center serving child victims of abuse and their non-offending family members.

irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024

What they reported doing

  1. #1 primary $2.33M
    NON-RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM SERVICES: 1) 24-HOUR TELEPHONE HOTLINE - CRISIS INTERVENTION,EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, ADVOCACY, SHELTER ADMISSION, AND INFORMATION/REFERRAL.2) ADVOCACY - 24-HOUR ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE THAT INCLUDES SAFETY PLANNING, CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, MEDICAL, HOUSING, AND SOCIAL SERVICES.3) COUNSELING- COUNSELING TO VICTIMS AND SECONDARY VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE AND CRIME. SERVICES ARE PROVIDED IN BOTH INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP SETTINGS.4)IMMEDIATE RESPONSE TEAM - RESPONSE TEAM ADVOCATES RESPOND TO THE SCENE OF A DOMESTIC OR SEXUAL ASSAULT WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE ADVOCACY, CRISIS INTERVENTION, AND INFORMATION/REFERRAL SERVICES.5) CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER OF NORTHERN NY - THIS PROGRAM PROVIDES DIRECT SERVICES TO CHILD VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND PHYSICAL ABUSE AND NON-OFFENDING FAMILY MEMBERS, USING A MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM APPROACH AT A SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT. SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT,THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, THE VICTIMS ASSISTANCE CENTER, CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES AND ONE LOCAL MEDICAL FACILITY.
named programs · 5 · from sources

What they call their work

24-Hour Telephone Hotline
Provides crisis intervention, emotional support, advocacy, shelter admission assistance, and information/referral services to victims of violence and crime at any time.
Advocacy Services
24-hour assistance including safety planning, criminal justice system navigation, medical advocacy, housing support, and access to social services for victims of violence.
Child Advocacy Center of Northern New York
Provides coordinated, multidisciplinary services to child victims of sexual and physical abuse and their non-offending family members through a partnership with law enforcement, prosecutors, child protective services, and medical providers.
Counseling Services
Individual and group counseling for victims and secondary victims of violence and crime, including trauma-informed therapeutic support.
Immediate Response Team
Team of advocates who respond alongside law enforcement to domestic or sexual assault scenes to provide immediate crisis intervention, advocacy, and referrals.
activities · 5 groups

What they do

  • Child Advocacy and Trauma Support Centers 3 activities
    • Operating a multidisciplinary Child Advocacy Center for child abuse victims
      Operates the Child Advocacy Center of Northern NY, providing coordinated forensic interviews, medical evaluations, and support services for child victims of sexual and physical abuse and their non-offending family members through a multidisciplinary team; services extended to Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties.
    • Providing comprehensive case coordination and advocacy for youth survivors of commercial sexual exploitation
      Provides case coordination, advocacy, and access to medical care, mental health counseling, financial assistance, emergency shelter, and basic living needs for youth under 21 who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation.
    • Providing counseling and emotional support services to victims and their families
      Offers individual and group counseling services to victims and secondary victims of violence and crime, including trauma-informed mental health referrals and ongoing emotional support.
  • Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention Education 2 activities
    • Conducting public awareness and advocacy campaigns
      Conducts community education and public awareness campaigns about the commercial sexual exploitation of youth and organizes annual events such as the Opening Closed Doors Conference and the Witches Gala to raise awareness and funds for domestic violence services.
    • Providing community-wide training and education on victim services and prevention
      Offers free community training programs including Darkness to Light, Teen Safety Matters, Bringing in the Bystander, Coaching Boys into Men, One Love, Safer Bars, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and vicarious trauma education to increase awareness, improve response capabilities, and prevent interpersonal violence.
  • Domestic Violence Survivor Support Services 2 activities
    • Delivering on-site advocacy during domestic and sexual violence incidents
      Deploys an Immediate Response Team of advocates who accompany law enforcement to scenes of domestic or sexual assault to provide crisis intervention, safety planning, and advocacy services.
    • Operating a 24/7 safe shelter and crisis hotline for victims of violence
      Operates a twenty-bed safe shelter staffed 24/7 and a 24-hour telephone hotline offering crisis intervention, emotional support, shelter admission, advocacy, and information/referral services to victims of domestic and sexual violence and crime in Jefferson County, NY.
  • Facility-Based Service Delivery 1 activity
    • Expanding access through satellite offices and certified programs
      Operates satellite offices at the Jefferson County District Attorney’s office and the Child Advocacy Center Canton Office to improve access; maintains certification as a Rape Crisis/Sexual Assault Center by the NYS Department of Health and as a domestic violence shelter under the NYS Office of Children and Family Services.
  • Behavioral Health and Human Services Training 1 activity
    • Offering professional development and internship opportunities
      Provides internship opportunities for students to observe and assist in service delivery and offers professional development training for advocates, first responders, and helping professionals.
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$3.87M
Contributions & grants$2.99M77%
Program service revenue$850K22%
Investment income$20K1%
Other revenue$5K
expenses
Total expenses$3.27M
Program expenses83%
Admin / overhead14%
Fundraising3%
Salaries & benefits$2.35M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$4.93M
Cash$1.49M
Investments$521K
Liabilities$726K
Net assets$4.20M
Liquid reserves7.4 mo
5 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +17.6%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024

Who runs it

paid leadership · 2
NameTitleHours/wkCompensation
AMY QOUNCE CURRENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 1 $119K
PHIL KNEELAND FINANCE DIRECTOR 1 $94K
board members · 15
  • BRETT SHIPPEE — BOARD MEMBER
  • BROOKE ROES — BOARD MEMBER
  • CHRISTINA CHAMBERLAIN — BOARD MEMBER
  • CINDY INTSCHERT — BOARD MEMBER
  • ELIZABETH TESTANI — BOARD MEMBER
  • IRENE CARMEN — SECRETARY
  • JAYCEE WELSH — BOARD MEMBER
  • JEANY COLELLO — BOARD MEMBER
  • JESSICA HYDE — VICE PRESIDENT
  • MICHAEL DONEY — BOARD MEMBER
  • MICHELLE CAPONE — CURRENT TREASURER
  • NICHOLE BELLINGER — BOARD MEMBER
  • SHANE WISNER — BOARD MEMBER
  • STEPHANIE GRAF — PRESIDENT
  • THOMAS POWLIN — FORMER TREASURER
relationships · 21

Who they work with

  • 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel Partner — Venue partner for the annual Witches Gala event.
  • Carthage Area Hospital Partner — Referral partner for behavioral health services.
  • Child Protective Services Partner — Collaborates with Child Protective Services in the Child Advocacy Center of Northern NY to serve child victims of abuse and their families.
  • Children’s Home Partner — Hosts the Single Point of Access (SPOA) coordinator for Jefferson County.
  • Destiny Walker Partner — Volunteer Coordinator who manages intern and volunteer engagement at VAC.
  • District Attorney's Office Partner — Partners with the District Attorney's Office in the Child Advocacy Center of Northern NY to provide coordinated services to child victims of abuse.
  • Family Counseling Services of NNY Partner — Partner provider for counseling and mental health services.
  • First Presbyterian Church Partner — Partners to manage used item donations through the Spare Closet program, allowing VAC clients to access them at no cost.
  • Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office Partner — Hosts a VAC satellite office to expand service access.
  • Law Enforcement Partner — Collaborates with law enforcement through the Immediate Response Team and the Child Advocacy Center of Northern NY to provide on-scene advocacy and coordinated services.
  • Lewis County Opportunities Partner — Operates the Lewis County Safe Harbour Program and collaborates on regional efforts related to youth survivors of commercial sexual exploitation.
  • Local Medical Facility Partner — Partners with at least one local medical facility to provide medical services within the Child Advocacy Center of Northern NY.
  • Monique Burr Foundation Partner — Partner organization for delivering Teen Safety Matters prevention education program
  • NYS Child Abuse Hotline Government — Collaborates with the NYS Child Abuse Hotline to facilitate reporting of suspected child abuse.
  • New York State Department of Health Government — Certified VAC as a Rape Crisis/Sexual Assault Center for Jefferson County.
  • New York State Office of Children and Family Services Government — Certified VAC's shelter as a full domestic violence program.
  • River Hospital Partner — Referral partner for behavioral health services.
  • Rubenzahl, Knudsen and Associates Partner — Partner behavioral health practice providing psychological services.
  • Samaritan Medical Center Partner — Referral partner for behavioral health services.
  • Transitional Living Services Partner — Partner organization providing transitional living support services.
  • Zero Abuse Project Partner — Collaborates on delivering Your FIRST Response to Child Abuse Investigations training
strategies · 5

How they approach the work

Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.

  • Bystander Intervention and Community Education for Violence Prevention
    methodology: bystander_intervention_prevention
    By training individuals in bystander intervention and increasing community awareness, the organization prevents interpersonal violence because empowered communities are better equipped to recognize, interrupt, and reduce incidents before they escalate.
  • Co-Responder Model for Immediate Crisis Intervention
    methodology: co_responder_model
    By deploying victim advocates alongside law enforcement at domestic violence and sexual assault scenes, the organization provides immediate crisis intervention and support because early connection to trauma-informed care increases safety, trust, and access to ongoing services.
  • Multidisciplinary Team Approach for Child Victims
    methodology: multidisciplinary_team_model
    By coordinating services through a multidisciplinary team at a single point of contact, the organization improves outcomes for child victims because integration across law enforcement, child protection, medical care, and victim support reduces duplication, minimizes trauma, and streamlines access to justice and healing services.
  • Safe Haven and Comprehensive Support to Prevent Ongoing Exploitation
    methodology: safe_haven_prevention
    By providing a safe haven and addressing immediate safety and life needs, the organization reduces the risk of ongoing sexual exploitation among youth survivors because stability and compassionate support enable disengagement from survival-based vulnerabilities.
  • Trauma-Informed, Client-Centered Care Model
    methodology: trauma_informed_client_centered
    By delivering trauma-informed and client-centered services, the organization supports healing from violence-related trauma because this approach respects individual autonomy, reduces re-traumatization, and increases engagement in care.