MANAGEMENTTEAM KurtWolfgang ExecutiveDirector
JoannaMupanduki DeputyExecutiveDirector
JenniferAbell ChiefFinanceandOperationsOfficer
PaulineMandel DirectorofLegalServices
GloriaLuckett DirectorofVictimServices
EllieJones,SeniorTeam VictimServicesSpecialist
OPERATIONSTEAM CaseyRosil CommunicationsandMediaSpecialist
AmyHobaugh OperationsSpecialist
SandraSanna-Buckles PublicRelationsandDevelopment Specialist
ADVOCATESANDASSISTANTS CathyOwen SeniorVictimAdvocate
Nj’SJayJones VictimAdvocate
RachelLloyd VictimAdvocate
ChristianMedina VictimAdvocate
JackelynOsorio VictimAdvocate
RhondaSmith VictimAdvocate
Sade’Thomas VictimAdvocate
LaCreshaWashington VictimAdvocate
KaylaWilliams VictimAdvocate
BarbieAdams AdministrativeAssistant
PARALEGALS BrayanBlandin Paralegal
AlondraPizarro Paralegal
AtrinaRedmond Paralegal
LEGALSERVICES VictorStone ChiefAppellateDivisionAttorney
KathleenCallan SeniorStaffAttorney
AndreaMason SeniorStaffAttorney
ChristopherQuasebarth SeniorStaffAttorney
AlonzoRobertson SeniorStaffAttorney/Trainer
JohannWehrle SeniorStaffAttorney
AmandaAmos StaffAttorney
GlennaBarner StaffAttorney
MarvinC.Bryan,Jr. StaffAttorney
AlbertoHalphen StaffAttorney(Trilingual)
BlancheHampton StaffAttorney
AnikaHarvey StaffAttorney
TroyMorgan StaffAttorney
StephanieShoneman StaffAttorney
JamesThomas StaffAttorney
DanielleTrollinger StaffAttorney
Toensurethatvictimsofcrimereceive justiceandaretreatedwithdignityand compassionthroughcomprehensive victims'rightsandservices.
In1982,VinceandRobertaRoper’sdaughter, Stephanie,wasbrutallymurderedjustasshewas tograduatefromcollege.AstheRoper’swere dealingwiththeintensegriefoftheirloss,they werestrugglingtofindjusticeinthecriminal courtsystem.Theyfoundtherewerenorightsfor victims Excludedfromthecriminalcourttrial anddisregardedbythecourt,theyformedthe StephanieRoperCommitteededicatedto changingthewayvictimsaretreated.Now,more than42yearslater,TheStephanieRoper Committeeanditsdedicatedsupporters,have becomeMarylandCrimeVictims’Resource Center,Inc.Becauseoftheirwork,Marylandnow hasmorethan100lawsforvictims’rights.The ConstitutionofMaryland.Article47ofthe DeclarationofRightsnowprovides:Avictimof crimeshallbetreatedbyagentsoftheStatewith dignity,respect,andsensitivityduringallphases ofthecriminaljusticeprocess Throughthe tenacityofVinceandRobertaRoper,themission to“makegoodcomefromtragedy”hasbeen fulfilled.
MESSAGEFROMOURFOUNDER HappyNewYear!MarylandCrimeVictims’ResourceCenterwelcomes2025 withalltheopportunitiesandchallengesitofferstoimprovethetreatmentof crimevictimsandsurvivors.Andaswecontinuetosolidifyvictims’rights, supportservicesandlegalrepresentation,wemustneverforgetwhyweare here!
Wemustneverforgetthateveryvictimandsurvivorshouldbetreatedwith dignityandrespect.Andnomatterhowtheycometous:bitter,frustrated, angry,grieving,feelingisolatedandwithouthope,wemustdoeverythingwe cantohelpthemontheirjourney.Throughourcomprehensivefreeservices, wecangivethemhopeandhealingforaproductiveandhappylife.This requiresthatweservevictimsandsurvivorswithoutjudgment;thisrequires ourpatienceinservingthemevenwhentheirfamilyandfriendsmayhave rejectedthem;itmeansthattheyaregivenavoiceandachoiceastheyseek resolutionandhealing.Itmeansworkingtomaketheworldabetterplace, eventhoughthisworkmaygowithoutpublicrecognition
WithourdedicatedExecutiveandDeputyDirectors,ourstaffofadvocatesand attorneys,andBoardofDirectors,wemoveintothisnewyearalways rememberingwhyweareandStephanie’sreminderthat“onepersoncanmake adifferenceandeverypersonshouldtry.”
RobertaRoper Founder
Unfortunately,I'veexperiencedsomepersonaltragedy. Itwasadvocacyandfriendshipsthatbroughtmesome levelofcomfortduringsomedarktimes.Toworkwith MCVRCistoseethepower,firsthand,oflove,healing, patience,andgrace Whattheydoforsomany communitiesofMarylandcannotbeoverstated MCVRCmatters.
-MCVRCSupporter
MESSAGEFROMOUREXECUTIVEDIRECTOR Progresscanbegradualattimes,andatothertimes,itcomesmoresuddenly In2024,progressarrivedlikeafreighttrain
In2023,wehadameetingwiththeGovernor’sOfficeofCrimePreventionandPlans, abouttheneedforadditionalfundingtosupportcrimevictims Theirresponsewas substantial,increasingourbudgetfrom$3,734,216in2023to$5,057,929in2024 an increaseof$1,311,742.Thatisa35%increase.Wearegratefulforthefaithand recognitionofouraccomplishmentsthatGOCPPhasrealizedwiththisaward.
Withtheirhelp,wedramaticallyexpandedourservices.MCVRCnowoffersfree mentalhealthservicestovictimsandsurvivors.Inthepast,eventhosewith insuranceoftenfacedlongwaittimesforappointments.Ourprogramensures servicesareavailablewithinfourdaysofapplying,easingthe emotionalburdenandprovidingtimelysupport Thisalsohelpscreatea morebalancedapproachtojustice,assurvivorsnowhavetheservicesthey need,justasoffendersdo
AsofDecember31,2023,wehad11attorneys,5victimadvocates,andtwo operationssupportstaff Sincethen,we’vegrownto29attorneys,10victim advocates,3paralegals,and4supportstaff,withalargerofficeindowntown Baltimore
Thistransformationreflectsourcommitmentandthestrongsupportfrom ourcommunityandtheMarylandgovernment.Movingforward,weremain focusedonprovidingvitalservicestocrimevictimsandsurvivors,ensuring noonefacestheirtraumaalone.
Ourgrowththisyearhasallowedustoreachmoresurvivorswhileexpanding oureffortsinlegislation,publicrelations,therapeuticprograms,and communityoutreach Asignificantdevelopmenthasbeentheadditionof JoannaMupandukiasDeputyExecutiveDirector,whoseexperienceasa prosecutorhasgreatlystrengthenedourteam
Wecan’tdothiswithoutyoursupportThankyou Together,wearemakinga meaningfuldifferenceinthelivesofpeopleexperiencingtheworsttragediesthat lifehastooffer
KurtWolfgang ExecutiveDirector
DebraTall(BoardChair) VictimServicesProvider,Anne ArundelCountyPolice Department
JoyceConyers(ViceChair) Retired,RecordsManagerat DepartmentofNavy,History& HeritageCommand
WilliamA.Smith(Treasurer) ChiefFinancialOfficer,SA-Tech
RobertaRoper (FounderandSecretary Victim/Survivor)
ClydeBoatwright(Member) President,MarylandState FraternalOrderofPolice
JohnD.B.Carr(Member) Sheriff,PrinceGeorge’sCounty Sheriff’sOffice
SydneyComitz(Member) Attorney/OfficeManager, BowersLaw,LLC
GeraldEvans(Member) Lobbyist,Evans&Associates
GeorgeLangbein(Member) Retired,Army
MarilynMoses(Member) Retired, NationalInstituteof Justice
RicardoWiggs (Member/Survivor)
DataManager,Departmentof Defense
MENTALHEALTHPROGRAM 2024ATAGLANCE... Withthesupportofagenerousgrant,wepartneredwithSafeHarborBehavioral Care,LLCtoofferfreementalhealthservicestocrimevictimsandtheir families Thisprogramisdesignedtoaddresstheemotionalandpsychological challengesvictimsoftenfaceafterexperiencingtraumaand/orlosingloved onestocrime
Understandingthatmanyvictimsstrugglewiththecostandaccessibilityof counselingservices,MCVRCworkedtoremovethesebarriers,ensuringvictims haveaccesstothehelptheyneed
Sincethelaunchofthisinitiative,wehaveprovidedcrucialmentalhealth supporttoover200crimevictims,offeringindividualandfamilycounseling, grouptherapy,andmedicationmanagement Servicesareavailableboth virtuallyandin-person,andhavebeenaccessibletovictimsacrossawide geographicalarea,fromFredericktoWaldorf,andthroughoutthegreaterDC andBaltimoreregions
Throughthisprogram,MCVRCcontinuestohelpindividualsandfamiliesheal fromthetraumaofcrime,providingcompassionateandprofessionalcarein theirtimeofneed. PATHSTOHEALING
Peoplefindhealingindifferentforms,andwearepleasedtocontinueto offertheseintroductionstodifferentpaths Opportunitiesareopentoour victimsandsurvivorsatminimalcostsotheycanexperiencethese opportunitiesinasafespace.Byintroducingindividualsinthesegroup activities,participantsthencanbeopentotakingadvantageofthese opportunitieslatereitherindividuallyorasagroup
Sponsoredby:
Victims' Rights Gala HOW WOULD YOU HELP? The2024Victims’RightGalawasheldonOctober5th,2024 Award winningjournalistandnewsanchor,ShawnYancyjoinedherdearfriend, CEOandsurvivor,JoyKingsley-IbehinhostingMarylandCrimeVictims’ ResourceCenter’s(MCVRC)Victims’RightsGala:HowWouldYouHelp? –animpactfuleveningfocusedonraisingawarenessandsupportfor victims’rights.
Theeveningwasfilledwithacommunityplayingtheirroletohelp victims–whetheritwassharingtheirpersonalstory,learningabout victims’rightstopics,orjustactivelysupportingourorganizationtohelp advancevictims’rights.Together,thecommunitycelebratednotonlythe progressmadeinsupportingvictimsbutalsotheworkthatliesahead.
JoyKingsley-Ibehsharedherfamily’sjourneymarkedbythetragiclossofherfatherandbrothertocrime–12years apart.Together,YancyandKingsley-Ibehguidedtheevening,celebratingthespiritofresilienceandjusticethat definestheVictims’RightsGala
TheeventhonoredwinnersoftheRobertaRoperLifetimeAchievementAward recipientsoftheawardhavespent theirlivesdedicatedtofightingforcrimevictims.Thisyear’srecipientsoftheprestigiousawardwereCongressman GlennIvey,FilmmakerRyanWhite-wasalsopresentvirtuallyashewasunabletophysicallyattend,andLobbyist GeraldE.Evans,eachhonoredfortheirownexceptionalrolesinforwardingvictims’rights.PaulineMandel,Director ofLegalServiceswasawardedwiththeVictorStoneAwardforherexceptionalworkatMCVRC MarylandCrimeVictims’ResourceCenter,Inc wouldliketoextenditsgratitudetoallattendeesandsupporterswho madethisyear’sgalaasuccess
Aspecialthankstothosewhosponsoredourevent: CrescentCitiesCharities;Evans&Associates;JennerLaw; theCordero/PrachtfamiliesinMemoryofAl&Helen Cordero;theMupandukiFamily;SanfordHeislerSharp, LLP,andTrollingerLaw.
Picturedlefttoright(JoyKingsley-Ibehand ShawnYancy)
Picturedlefttoright(PrinceGeorge’sCountyCouncil,Chair,JoleneIvey, CongressmanGlennIvey,FounderofMCVRC,RobertaRoper,andLobbyist, GeraldE.Evans)
ANNUALWALK&RESOURCEFAIR 3rdAnnualMakeaDifference5k& ResourceFair In2022,wehostedourfirstWalk&ResourceFair,bringingfamilies togethertolearnaboutavailableresources,rememberlostloved ones,andhonorheroes.Thisevent,whichalignedwiththetheme forNationalCrimeVictims'RightsWeek,wasfundedandreceived suchpositivefeedbackthatwedecidedtomakeitanannual tradition.
OnApril20,2024,wegatheredonceagainatWatkinsRegionalPark inUpperMarlboroforourthirdannual5kWalk&ResourceFair. Theweather,unpredictableaseverinMaryland,posedachallenge inthelead-uptotheevent.However,wewerefortunateto experiencebeautifulweatherontheday,whichsetthestagefora successfulgathering.Theparkwasfilledwithsmilingfacesanda spiritofunityandremembrance.WealsohadtheOliverSmithJr. AwardthatwasawardedtoVernon&AshleyKaropchinsky.
ThiseventwasmadepossiblethankstograntsfromtheNational CrimeVictims'RightsWeekCommunityAwarenessProject,the MarylandBarFoundation,andourgenerouslocalsponsorsand supporters.Itwasaninspiringandupliftingdayforallthose involved,andwewerethrilledtoseesomanypeopleconnect, engage,andsupporteachother.
Thankyoutoeveryonewhoparticipated,andwelookforwardto continuingthisimportanttraditionintheyearstocome.
TheLangbein FamilyTrust George L Langbein, MBA, MSPM, PMP Board Member MCSVC
LUNCHANDLEARNS TheLunchandLearnseriesisconductedmonthlyviaFacebook/YoutubeLive.MCVRC’sgoalistoeducatethe communityonvictims’rightsissuesbyleadingdiscussionsonsomecommontopicsofinterest. Individuals cancontactuswithquestionsaheadoftimeorleavecommentsinthecommentfeedduringthebroadcast. RecordedvideosofeachprogramareuploadedtoYouTubeforanevenwideropportunitytousethevideoas reference
Thefollowingtopicswerediscussedwithguestsin2024:
State of MCVRC Juvenile Sentencing and Reform Safety Planning Bereaved Parents Day
PTSD Awareness Child Abuse Prevention Veteran Specific Resources Victim/Witness Resources National Road Victim Month Bereavement
and The Holidays Weareeagertocontinuethisprogramintothenewyearandcontinuetoeducateandspreadawarenessof victims’rights.
Towatchpreviouslunchandlearns,pleasescantheQRcodebelow:
GARDENOFREMEMBRANCE/ CEREMONYOFREMEMBRANCE OurannualGardenofRemembrance/CeremonyofRemembranceeventwasheldonSaturday, September 21st. Attendees came to Prince George's County Justice Center on Judges Drive (facing Route 4) in Upper Marlboro, MD. The event at the garden included musical pieces and poems.Eachattendeegentlyplacedaheartonthetree,asisthetradition.Itwasthenfollowed withareceptionatTheSanctuaryatKingdomSquareinwhichaslideshowwasplayedgivinga moment of silence for all victims of crime. Thank you to our sponsors and for Bishop Anthony G.Maclinforhavingusandmakingthisdayhappen.
Thankyoutothosewhoparticipatedandwereabletoattend.Theseannualgatheringsprovide an opportunity for survivors to remember their loved ones and gain support from each other. It was a joy to see so many that we hadn’t seen for so long. It’s always bittersweet to come together,butleavingforthedaymadeusrememberourmissionandwhywedowhatwedo.
MARCHONWASHINGTON WeproudlyparticipatedintheMarchonWashingtoninSeptember2024,hostedby CrimeSurvivorsforSafetyandJustice,standingalongsideothervictimsandtheir familiesinapowerfulshowofsolidarity.Thismomentousgatheringgaveusthe opportunitytouniteourvoicesandshareourstories,amplifyingacollectivemessage ofhope,healing,andresilience.Together,wehonoredthelivesofthosewe'velost, whilecallingformeaningfulchangetotransformlivesandcommunities.
Themarchnotonlyservedasareminderthatwearenotaloneonthisjourney,butalso reinforcedthestrengthofourcommunity.Theoutpouringofsupportandshared purposewasbothinspiringandempowering,reaffirmingthat,despitethepainwe’ve endured,wehavethepowertodemandjustice,accountability,andabrighterfuture.It wasadayofremembrance,unity,andadvocacythatstrengthenedourcommitmentto fightingfortherightsofsurvivorsandtheirfamilies.
Picturedlefttoright:VictorStone(MCVRCAttorney),JoyceConyers(MCVRCBoardMember),MargeryPatten(Survivor),Jackelyn Osorio(MCVRCAdvocate),RobertaRoper(MCVRCFounder),DebbieTall(MCVRCBoardMember),SandraSanna-Buckles(MCVRC PR/DevlopmentSpecialist),ChristianMedina(MCVRCAdvocate),TamikaWillians(Survivor)
MCVRCWINS SYEDV.LEE–MARYLANDSUPREMECOURTVICTIMS'RIGHTSRULING OnAugust30,2024,theMarylandSupremeCourtruled4-3inthesignificantvictims'rightscaseSyed v.Lee.MCVRCattorneyVictorStonefiledanamicusbriefsupportingthevictim’srepresentative.Syed, convictedofmurdertwodecadesago,soughttovacatehisconvictionaftertheprosecutionfailedto disclosekeydocuments.Thevictim'srepresentativerequestedadelayforin-personattendanceatthe hearing,butthecourtdeniedtherequest.TheMarylandSupremeCourtruledthatvictim’s representativeshavetherighttospeakwheneveraconvictionis"altered,"includingwhenit'ssetaside, citingMaryland’sConstitutionandstatutes
STATEV.THOMAS–MARYLANDSUPREMECOURTLIMITSSENTENCEREDUCTIONS OnAugust29,2024,theMarylandSupremeCourtruledinStatev Thomasthattrialjudgescannot reducefinalsentencesmorethanfiveyearsafterthey’reimposed.Thecourtoverruledthe intermediateappellatecourt,whichhadallowedjudgestobypassthistimelimitunder"special circumstances."MCVRCattorneyVictorStonearguedagainstthisauthority,andtheSupremeCourt agreed,affirmingthatjudgesmustfollowstatutorylimitsratherthanactingonperceived"inherent authority."
PRINCEGEORGE’SCOUNTY–VICTIM'SRIGHTTONOTICEOFHEARING InOctober2024,MCVRCintervenedonbehalfofavictimwhoseattackerwasreleasedfromhouse arrestwithoutthevictimbeingnotifiedofthehearing.MCVRCassertedthevictim’srightsunder CP11-104(e)(3)fornoticeofdispositionchangesandCP11-402tobeheard.Withinaweek,thehearing wasrescheduled,andthedefendantwasreturnedtohousearrest Thevictim,initiallyfrustratedwith thelegalsystem,waspleasedwiththeoutcomeandfelthersafetywasrestored.(Mdv.Bailley,D05CR24-008935)
PRINCEGEORGE’SCOUNTY–JUVENILEVICTIM'SRIGHTSANDPLEAAGREEMENT InOctober2024,MCVRCassistedajuvenilevictimandhisrepresentative,whowasfacingchallenges withtheState’sAttorney.TheVictimRepresentativehadbeentreateddisrespectfullyuntilMCVRC intervened,ensuringtherepresentative’sdignityandinformingthemoftheirrighttoaGuardianad Litem Thevictimsupportedhismother’sdecisions,andMCVRChelpedthevictim’sattorneyobjectto apleaagreement.Thejudgeultimatelyrejectedtheplea,allowingfurtherdeliberation.(VictimJ. Durant/VictimRep.JanelleDurant,C-16-JV-24-000408)
MCVRCWINSCONTINUED... ALEGISLATIVEVICTORYFORVICTIMS:MCVRCADVOCACYHALTSSB-123 Inasignificantlegislativeachievement,MCVRCplayedapivotalroleinhaltingSenateBill123(SB-123), ameasureproposing"secondchance"lawsforseriouscrimeoffenders.Theeffortstoadvocateforthe rightsandsafetyofcrimevictimswerecrucialinensuringthebilldidnotpass,markingawinforvictims andtheirfamiliesacrossMaryland.
Introducedearlyinthesession,SB-123aimedtoreducesentencesandprovideearlyreleaseoptionsfor offendersofseriouscrimes Whiletheintentionsbehindthebillsoughttoaddressrehabilitationand reintegrationintosociety,MCVRChighlightedthepotentialriskstopublicsafetyandthedetrimental impactoncrimevictims voicesthatmustnotbeoverlookedinjusticereform.
Theadvocacyincludedengagingwithlegislators,providingtestimonyonthebill'spotentialeffects,and mobilizinganetworkofsupporterstoexpressopposition.Thankstothisadvocacy,theMaryland Legislaturerecognizedtheneedtoprioritizethesafetyandrightsofvictims,leadingtothebill's cessationthisyear OursupportersonthefloorthathelpedpreventthisbillfrompassingwereMatt MorganfromSt.Mary’sCounty,KathySzeligaandRobinGrammerfromBaltimoreCounty,Susan McComasfromHarfordCountyandCTWilsonfromCharlesCounty.
ThisoutcomenotonlyunderscoresalegislativesuccessbutalsoreaffirmsMCVRC'scommitmentto championingtherightsofcrimevictims.Celebratingthisvictoryhighlightstheimpactofacollective voiceinshapingpoliciesthataffectthelivesofthoseserved.
Appreciationisextendedtoallmembers,volunteers,andcommunitypartnerswhosupportedthe advocacy.Thisvictoryisasharedachievement.Continuingtoadvocateforlawsthatprotect,honor,and supportthevictimsofcrimeensurestheirrightsremainattheforefrontofjusticereforminMaryland.
Thesearejustafewofthevictoriesourattorneyshaveachievedonbehalfof victims.Weshareourwinsnotonlytokeepourcommunitiesinformedabout oureffortsbutalsotoshowthoseinneedthatthereishopeandsupport available.
Theworkcontinues,withmanymoresuccessestocome....
FINANCIALREPORT 2023-2024 2024CASETYPES Unlikemanyothervictimadvocacyorganizations,MCVRChandlesafullgamutofcriminalcase types.Ourattorneysandadvocatesfocusonensuringthatallvictimsrightsareupheld.
2024NEWCASESBYCOUNTY $4,999-$2,500
Richard&DawnCollins
CarenFitzpatrick
CathyOwen
$2,499-$2,000
JenniferLawrence
LeonB Russell
$1,999-$1,000
NealBlanchard
BarryBuchman
Bradley&KathrynCallahanFamilyFoundation
AloyseDemuth
RosarioD Fit
$1,999-$1,000-CONTINUED
OpalM.Hughes
AzamMirza&JoyKingsley-Ibeh
AndreaD.Mason
MarilynMoses
JoannaMupanduki
JamesThomas
$999-$500
HaroldE.Belcher
ElizabethCrabbs
PatrickGroomes
SteveJames
RobertJenner
TedJones
SilverHillLionsFoundation
Terry&HaamidNuriddin
RichardPolansky
ScottM Wallace
ReginaWolfgang
$499-250
BarbieR Adams
MarvinC.Bryan,Jr.
VanessaHayward
RickyMandel
MargeryPatten
JeffreyRhodes
RobertaRoper
RhondaS Smith
William(Bill)Smith
VictorStone
DanielleL.Trollinger
$249-101
AndrewCreighton
Ben&DawnaBrown
DCGOne1
ArnoldHanuman
ErinSHarrison
GladysIbeh
Inowunderstand thatIwasaVICTIM anddidnot deservethisabuse."
Onebravesurvivor,EvaDittrich,stoodbeforethecourttoshareher painfulstoryaspartofahistoricmomentforsurvivorsofabuse ThankstotheMarylandChildVictimsAct,whichliftedthestatuteof limitationsonsuchcases,Eva,at68yearsold,courageouslyrecounted hertraumaticexperiences
PhotoCreds:JonathanM.Pitts/BaltimoreSun
