AVENUES STAFF
Cara Miller, INTERIM CO-DIRECTOR
Cara E. Miller is the Interim Co- Director for Abuse Victims Education Network Unified to Ensure Safety for Northeast MO, Inc (AVENUES for Northeast MO, Inc). Cara has an Associate of Arts Degree in Business Management from Moberly Area Community College, obtained in Spring 2013.
Cara started her career with AVENUES for Northeast Mo, Inc as a part-time Crisis Intervention Advocate in March 2013. During her time working at the shelter, she gained valuable knowledge in assisting clients in the aftermath of a domestic or sexual violence situation.
Cara was promoted to full-time Shelter Advocate in January 2015 and continued to gain knowledge in working with survivors of all types of abuse. Cara participated in creating programs for the shelter and helped several clients obtain permanent stable housing. In October 2018, Cara became the Marion County Victim Advocate and started working outside of the shelter. She gained professional relationships with community partners and continued her work with the Missouri Balance of State Continuum of Care Coordinated Entry Systems, which has provided local homeless individuals with permanent stable housing.
In May 2020, Cara was promoted to Shelter Operations Director and now supervises Shelter Advocates I and II. Cara continues to work toward AVENUES' mission of providing excellent services to clients who have experienced domestic and/or sexual violence. Cara currently serves as the Secretary on the Missouri Balance of State Continuum of Care Coordinated Entry Region 2 committee.
In December of 2021, Cara was promoted to Victims Services Manager and shortly after Interim Co- Director.
Stephanie Black, iNTERIM CO-DIRECTOR
Stephanie N. Black is the Interim Co- Director for Abuse Victims Education Network Unified for Northeast Missouri, Inc. (AVENUES for Northeast Missouri, Inc.). She has been with AVENUES for Northeast Missouri, Inc. for over ten (10) years. Mrs. Black started her career at AVENUES for Northeast Missouri, Inc. as a part-time Shelter Advocate I while attending Moberly Area Community College to obtain her Associate's Degree in General Education.
Upon graduating, Mrs. Black became the Domestic Violence Advocate for Ralls and Pike counties through the agency's Outreach Program. After serving in the Outreach Program for over six (6) years, Mrs. Black made a short three (3) month lateral move to Shelter Advocate II before being promoted to serve as the Shelter Operations Director. Mrs. Black served as the Shelter Operations Director for a year and two months before once again being promoted to Administrative Grants Coordinator. She was promoted to Business Manager in December 2021 and shortly after Interim Co-Director. Her goals and passion are to continue working with the agency in order to assist AVENUES for Northeast Missouri, Inc. as it continues to expand in both services offered as well as counties served.
During Mrs. Black's career and working with the clients and providing support, she has gained valuable knowledge during her time working for AVENUES for Northeast Missouri, Inc. She has worked with local agencies, courthouse officials, law enforcement agencies, and The Missouri Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence (MCADSV) to provide service to clients. Services she has provided are crisis intervention, case management, civil and criminal justice court advocacy, medical advocacy, and shelter placement to name a few.
With her understanding of the services provided by AVENUES for Northeast Missouri, Inc. Mrs. Black has gained a solid background to assist her in the grant writing process, in order to acquire grants that will continue to support the clients served in the shelter and outreach counties.
Felicia Scott- Outreach Advocate-Adair, Schuyler, and Scotland Counties
Emily Hirstein-Edgington- Outreach Advocate- Marion and Ralls Counties
Roni Van Ausdall- Outreach Advocate-Clark and Lewis Counties
Tamara Miller - Outreach Advocate-Housing Coordinator for all Counties
Rebecca Stine - Outreach Advocate-Monroe, Shelby, and Knox Counties
Kelley Hendricks- Outreach Advocate-Pike County
Lexius Gilker - Shelter Advocate
Hope Shackelford - Shelter Advocate
Samantha Lewis - Shelter Advocate
Nicole Yahne- Shelter Advocate
Tracy Freeze- Shelter Advocate
Jessica Abernathy- Shelter Advocate