The Heartbeat for Victims
Northwest Victim Services
6023 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19144
ph: 215.438.4410
fax: 215.438.2933
alt: 267.808.0350 Melany Nelson, Executive Director
mpn
In 1981, the Community Safety Program of Northwest Interfaith Movement began as the first community based victim service program in Philadelphia. The Community Safety Program became an independent nonprofit organization incorporated under the name of Northwest Victim Services (NVS) in 1986. Six additional community based victim service agencies in Philadelphia have modeled their organizations after NVS and all of these programs have relied on NVS for technical assistance and expertise. During its first year as an independent agency, NVS provided service to 800 crime victims in the14th police district. The number of victims served, as well as the type of services provided, has grown over the last 30 years. During 2016/2017 fiscal year, NVS provided services to over 1,200 crime victims in the 5th,14th, 35th, and 39th police districts. Services provided include crisis/ supportive counseling, accompaniment, financial assistance, and information/referral. In addition to providing services to crime victims, NVS provides community programs to increase safety and knowledge of NVS's services. NVS works closely with local / citywide community groups and agencies including the District Attorney’s Office, police, and government agencies such as the Social Security Administration and plays an active role in the Philadelphia Coalition for Victim Advocacy and several state and local community task forces. Please see below for NVS's mission, staff, and Board of Directors.
Vision
To permanently alter the way, we treat victims of crime in Northwest Philadelphia.
VALUES
Northwest Victim Services values six principles when aiding victims of crimes and the Northwest community. These principles are: Community, Empathy, Dignity, Reliability, Competence, and Confidentiality.
We practice each of these values in the following ways:
NVS Board of Directors
2019/2020
Mark Moore, President
Kevin Raphael, Treasurer
Denise Byrd, Secretary
Cristsandra Penn
Patrice Fisher
Lori A. Dumas
Dr. Leonard Mason
Gail Mitchell
Pedro Rodriguez
Dr. Joann Cozza
Pastor Robert Coombe
Advisory Board Member
Patricia A. Payne, Chair
Reverend Leroy Miles
Reverend Nick Taliaferro
Derrick Sawyer
Executive Director, Melany P. Nelson
Court Advocate, Wedney Louissaint
Victim Advocate, Alfreda Strand
Victim Advocate, Kwaminah Greer
Project Outreach Advocate,Shameekah Moore
Aministrative Assistance, La'Wanda Hawkins
Copyright 2012 Northwest Victim Services. All rights reserved.
Northwest Victim Services
6023 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19144
ph: 215.438.4410
fax: 215.438.2933
alt: 267.808.0350 Melany Nelson, Executive Director
mpn