John Converse Kathy O'Toole Lori Nunes and Daughters Tori & Cathy Andreozzi
Jamie Hainsworth. There's a name you might recognize. The retired Glocester, RI police chief is now MADD RI's Victim Advocate and Law Enforcement Liaison During his tenure in the police community, Chief Hainsworth was always available when MADD Called. His extensive enforcement and prevention background was invaluable when MADD asked for assistance. He knows the victim experience all too well, making his transition to MADD victim advocacy all the smoother. Chief Hainsworth is a phone call away at MADD RI at 421-0800, or 1-800-242-6233 to answer victim questions and to provide victim services.
As stated in MADD's Mission, support of our victims is paramount.
We have victim materials and packets authored by those that have gone through that inexplicable trauma, and we can arrange one-on-one meetings with other victims. MADD is also available to assist victims through our judicial system. We provide active advocacy outlets that some victims request. For example, telling their unique story to those convicted of drunk driving. We call them, Victim Impact Panels. These sessions quickly establish with those violators that the fines, suspensions, community service, etc., are not really the worse things that could happen to them, as many think.
Other victims assist us by speaking to young students around the state. This is a singular opportunity for victims to testify, in person, as to the inherent dangers of drinking and driving and underage drinking. These painful and personal stories leave a lasting impression on many students and their families.
Those speaking engagements may not be the outlets for everyone, but generally we can find an area whereby a victim can make a difference while dedicating their efforts to the memory of their loved one. Please contact Chief Hainsworth if we can help.
MADD RI has updated and upgraded its Victim Picture Memorial Boards. These pictures put faces to those cold and horrible statistics. The panels are taken to various functions during the year so everyone can see just a small percentage of the devastation wrought by irresponsible drunk drivers over the years. We know there are more victims than we have pictures of in those panels. Please contact our office if you'd like your loved one's picture included. We'll explain what needs to be done at no expense to your family.
Each year of MADD RI's existence a candlelight vigil was held in early December. In those formative years, the annual Candlelight Vigil was held at the State House and at various venues in the Providence area. In recent years, because MADD RI's active youth involvement, the vigils have moved directly to high schools that actually ask to coordinate the event in their community.
Bishop Hendricken High was the very first school to undertake the multiple details in coordinating the vigil. They were followed by The Prout School, Barrington, LaSalle, North Smithfield, and Scituate High Schools. Each was extraordinarily successful in presenting a meaningful program of remembrance for victim families in attendance.
Ever since our founder, Mrs. Pauline Allard, spoke at that very first vigil, hardly a day has passed without some victim contact, project, information, planning, legislative matter, correspondence, etc. We've maintained a Sr. Victim Advocate, and have held victim assistance meetings on a continuing basis for most of our existence.
Every MADD RI staff member has received a certificate from MADD's Advanced Victim Training Institutes, and is fully qualified to handle every victim request or problem.
