Our Team
The Staff
Helping Is Our Way Of Life
Administrative Team
- Meg Rogers, Executive Director – [email protected]
- Cathy Neville, Office Manager – [email protected]
- Stephanie Villasenor, Outreach & Volunteers – [email protected]
- Takeesha Thomas, Administration & Finance Director – [email protected]
Legal Services
- Tommie Degonzague, Program Director – [email protected]
- Beth Wilson, Senior Legal Advocate – [email protected]
- Kaylen Cummings, Legal Advocate – [email protected]
Transitional Housing & Children’s Services
- Karen DiBella, Program Director – [email protected]
- Michelle Coleman, Housing Specialist – [email protected]
- Madison Bodenhamer, Housing & Family Advocate – [email protected]
- Faith Singleton, Housing & Family Advocate – [email protected]
- Shai Mansour, Housing & Outreach Advocate – [email protected]
- Brittney Everett, Lead Child Advocate – [email protected]
- Shelby Pluger, Child Advocate Support Specialist – [email protected]
- Al-Teric Mitchell, Child Advocate Support Specialist – [email protected] – [email protected]
- Cherish Kolumber, Childcare & Transportation Advocate – [email protected]
Emergency Shelter
- Karen DiBella, Program Director – [email protected]
- Irma Lucas Barahoma, Assistant Shelter Director – [email protected]
- Safyrah Jean, Assistant Shelter Director – [email protected]
Multicultural Services
- Norma Mendoza, Program Director – [email protected]
- Kenia Chinchilla, Multicultural Advocate – [email protected]
- Susana Barrios, Multicultural Advocate – [email protected]
Meg Rogers
Meg Rogers, a proud Cherokee County, Georgia resident, has dedicated her career to championing the rights of domestic violence victims since 1993. Her journey began as a passionate volunteer Board Member for the Cherokee Family Violence Center, and she later assumed the role of Executive Director, driving impactful change within the organization. Meg’s commitment extends beyond the local level. She actively participates in state-level organizations, advocating for social reform and holding batterers accountable. Her impressive contributions include serving on the Georgia Commission on Family Violence, where she chaired the Family Violence Intervention Program Certification Committee, led the Legislative Committee, and played a vital role on its Executive Committee. As a true advocate, Meg also served as the Chair of the Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence, a coalition of 42 shelters, and chaired the Blue Ridge Judicial Domestic Violence Task Force. In recognition of her outstanding dedication, Meg received the esteemed 2003 Gender Justice Award from the Georgia Commission on Family Violence. Meg Rogers embodies unwavering dedication to the cause, driving positive change and empowering survivors of domestic violence throughout her impactful career.
Tommie DeGonzague
Tommie DeGonzague, our esteemed Director of Legal Services, brings over two decades of unwavering dedication to the fight against family violence. Her journey at the Cherokee Family Violence Center began in 2005, marking the start of her impactful influence on the lives of Cherokee County residents affected by family violence. Before joining CFVC, Tommie served as the Director of the Family Violence/ Sexual Assault Program at the YWCA of Northwest Georgia, further solidifying her commitment to advocacy. Her expertise goes beyond words, as she holds the position of Legal Program Director and is a qualified expert witness in family violence matters, including the cycle of violence, power and control dynamics, as well as victim trauma. Her passion for educating the community on the impacts of domestic violence led her to co-present at the Georgia Commission on Domestic Violence state conference in 2021. Tommie’s influence extends into the community, where she actively contributes to the Cherokee County Domestic Violence Task Force. Her remarkable contributions were recognized with the Col. Robert S. “Bob” Stubbs, II Distinguished Service Award from the Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit Bar Association in 2018, a testament to her exceptional service in support of the judicial system. Tommie’s academic journey led her to the State University of New York at Albany, where she obtained her Masters of Social Work degree. With unwavering determination, she tirelessly works to bring about systemic change while advocating passionately for victims of family violence.
Dr. Karen DiBella
Dr. Karen DiBella is the Program Director for our Transitional Housing, Children’s Services, and our Emergency Shelter. Karen holds several degrees including a Doctor of Education, Curriculum, and Instruction with a concentration in Reading as well as a Master of Education with a concentration in Reading from Florida Gulf Coast University. In addition, she has an Education Specialist degree in Curriculum and Instruction and a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Pennsylvania State University. Karen has extensive experience in the classroom as both a grade-level teacher and university professor. Her scholarly research has been published in several journals, including The Journal of Education & Social Policy and The International Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Invention, among others. Dr. DiBella joined us in 2019. Her passion for young people and constant pursuit of knowledge are clear to all who meet her. Karen’s in-depth knowledge of children and how they learn is a tremendous asset to CFVC and the children we serve!
Norma Mendoza
Norma Mendoza, our Multicultural Program Director, is a remarkable force for change. With a law degree from Mexico and a master’s in European Studies from the Autonomous University of Barcelona, Spain, she’s a legal powerhouse. Norma’s international journey includes studies in Geneva, Brazil, and the Netherlands, where she delved into public and private law. For 12 years, she served the Mexican Government, specializing in aiding immigrant victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, and more. Norma’s impact extends beyond borders; she’s a partially accredited representative by the US Department of Justice and a national consultant and presenter recognized by the National Immigrant Woman’s Advocacy Project. Her dedication shines through her local, national, and international trainings on intimate partner violence, immigrant victim’s rights, and culturally responsive services. Her accolades speak volumes: the 2021 “50 Most Influential Latinos in Georgia” award, the “Heroes in the Community” award, and the “Outstanding Advocate of Georgia’s Prevention Initiative” recognition in 2022. Norma is also a published author, contributing “Domestic Violence from the Hispanic Community’s Perspective” to the Georgia Family Violence Resource Newsletter.
Board Members
Chris Nash – Board Chair, Kahua
Nancy Garcia – Board Chair, Clerks of RBG
Kathleen Homschek – Treasurer – Sull Graphics
Cantrece Carlan – Secretary – Cherokee County Probate Court
Jessica Robidou – Community Representative – The Robidou Company, LLC
Christine Beam – Community Representative – Wellstar Health System
Rebekah Gibson – Community Representative – Soil, Erosion, & Education, LLC
Major Olin Boughner – Community Representative – Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office