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Volunteer Testimonials

Anne Baird

“I support the Women’s Center because I helped get it started.  When we began, with two rented rooms in the First Congregational Church, a phone line and a manual typewriter, we hoped we would create a lasting institution.  It still amazes me that the Center is thriving, year after year, helping more women, helping more children, restoring more lives than we ever thought possible when this all began.  It was absolutely worth it - all the Monday night meetings, all the garage sales and bake sales, all the discussions with law enforcement, all the requests for money to United Way and Junior Aid and AAUW - and I know that, if given the opportunity, I’d do it all again in a heartbeat.”

Anne Baird
District Director
Senator Michael J. Machado    

Mark Gant

“When I was growing up my father was an alcoholic, when he would get drunk he would beat my brother, my mother and me.  This went on until I was fourteen years old.  At that time I was bigger than my father and confronted him when he came home and began to beat my mother.  This was the end of the cycle for my mother and she divorced my father. 

….I eventually went to work with for the Stockton Police Department. I found it my personal mission to educate those who worked with me on how domestic violence impacted the entire family. 

Later on in my career I had the opportunity to be involved in the local task force, consisting of Judges, prosecutors, law enforcement personnel, Women’s Center and the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Victim Witness. 

A short time later I was invited to become a Board Member for the San Joaquin County Women’s Center.  Over the past thirteen years I have served as a Board Member and various officers and served twice as the Board President.

Needless to say my compassion for the Women’s Center has extended in to my current retirement”.

Mark Gant, 2008 Board President

Karen Munro

“I’ve been inspired by the awesome work that goes on at the Women’s Center for many years.  Hearing stories of the women and children who have found hope and refuge within the walls of the Center brings one to the heart of the matter: You and all who came before are doing the work of the angels.”

Karen Munro

Douglass W. Wilhoit

“Just before I made the move from the Stockton Police Department to the San Joaquin Board of Supervisors I had the pleasure of knowing and working with all the women who had the vision and courage to form the Women’s Center of San Joaquin County due to the great need that was not being met.  They had a dream that has become a model for the nation and am proud that in some small way my term (1979-1995) on the Board helped to support the early needs of the Center.

Even though untold lives have been made better over the years, unfortunately there still is an ongoing need in our society and the new generation of  Women’s Center leaders and staff share the same dedication demonstrated by the founders and deserve the full support of the entire community.”

Douglass W. Wilhoit, Jr., CEO
Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce

Irene Vasquez Camy

“Throughout my professional life I have attended various fundraisers for the Women’s Center and have always been grateful for the need they filled in the community. But it was through the Women’s Success Group, a local networking group for professional women, where I came to truly understand and care about the daily issues they face. Over the past 6 years, I have connected with many phenomenal business women, and, unfortunately, some have shared their stories of abusive relationships. It’s a stark reality that few want to think about – but we have many ordinary heroes in this community who work silently, diligently, and with such heart, to help those who are so frightened become hopeful. I think it’s funny when the Women’s Center thanks me for volunteering because it is I who should be thanking them. I am ever so grateful for people like Joelle, Kate, Christina, and Jen who allow me to help where I can.”

Irene Vasquez Camy
Career Services
Heald College

Janet Smith

“As a prosecutor for the District Attorney’s Office in the Child Abuse/ Sexual Assault unit for over 6 years, I had the privilege of working with the most amazing and some of the strongest people in our community who had been victimized in some of the worst ways.  Throughout their trauma they had available to them the backbone of the Women’s Center via their advocates. Sitting next to them in a hospital, talking with them and providing them support through the safety of the Center walls and/or helping them maneuver the halls of the courthouse, I have had the pleasure of working with the staff at the Women’s Center as we have tried to find justice, balance and peace for these victims of abuse.  Because they come to us with a tragedy already committed, the only gift we can give is the gift of support, guidance and strength.  The Women’s Center provides those services with dedication, professionalism and confidentiality.  Their work, in conjunction with other agencies, only serves to better support the victims of this community as  a result of  some of the most personal and heinous crimes.  I look forward to a continued relationship with the Women’s Center and will remain an avid supporter of their services, their staff and their mission.”

Janet Smith
Deputy District Attorney
District Attorney’s Office

Nancy Watts

“Each of us has our story ... for supporting of the Women's Center of San Joaquin County.  The Women's Center was there in the 1980's... when I called seeking resources for my middle school girls who were enduring various forms of teasing and harassment from boys.

For several years, as long as they had funding, WC staff came to Lodi Senior Elementary (now Lodi Middle School) to discuss boundaries and teach assertiveness. During every presentation, at least one child came to understand they didn’t have to live with abuse or molest and sought help.  The Women’s Center was there and I wanted to help in their mission.

Much earlier the Women's Center was not here ... not yet established ...  when a young boy was molested by a relative.  It was not here when a young woman lived in fear of a violent partner.   But, thanks to individuals with passion, it HAS been here, in our community for over 30 years.  I am so pleased, for almost 20 of those years, to have been able to work with their wonderful staff and with other dedicated volunteers to help provide services throughout San Joaquin County.”

Nancy Watts
Lodi Volunteer

Thomas T. Morris

“I have been with the Stockton Police Department for over 30 years and have seen the sadness of far too many victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse. I have also seen first hand how the Women’s Center has evolved into an organization that truly makes a significant difference in the lives of victims and betters our community.  Everyone who works and volunteers at the Women’s Center has my utmost respect and admiration.  Please join me in my continued support for such a meaningful and outstanding organization.”  

Chief Thomas T. Morris
Stockton Police Department