We were lucky to catch up with Shaquera Robinson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Shaquera , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

At Shaquera’s Story Domestic Violence Consulting and Coaching, Inc., we are a small business committed to disrupting the cycle of intimate partner violence (IPV) across all sectors. We do this by connecting survivors and their families with immediate and long-term support to prevent re-victimization. We are a BIPOC-led organization and we take great pride in our ability to offer culturally appropriate services and programming. All of our service providers have lived experience and/or identify as secondary survivors of IPV and/or substance use (SUD). We are a group of individuals who have dedicated years of service and volunteered commitments in spaces that enhance our abilities to uplift the voices of members of our communities and provide equity and a sense of belonging for individuals who continue to strive towards a life free from trauma.
SSDVCC operates through a collective community process to organize and advocate for survivors who are oftentimes left to navigate the traumas of DV and other systemic injustices without the assistance of community health workers. Taking a hands-on approach, we assist survivors by providing them with individual advocacy support, mentorship, and other case management needs.
The services we offer are client-centered and therefore vary from person to person as we understand that peoples’ zip codes have more of an impact on their lives and health outcomes than their genetic codes. Particularly in BIPOC communities where intervention services are often lacking and/or underfunded, survivors typically do not engage in services out of fear of not being provided with a sustainable safety plan and adequate resources. BIPOC survivors are also reluctant to seek services outside of their communities for fear of being misunderstood, unheard, and/or unseen. To mitigate this concern, our organization collaborates with several community partners, to ensure not only that our services are sustainable but also diversified. Some of the more common services we provide include Department of Children and Families (DCF) case management support; Drug Courts support in the Dorchester/Quincy/East Boston area, emergency housing placement, housing stability, workforce development, and skills training, as well as community-based referrals for wrap-around services such as free childcare, transportation, and other health & wellness resources.
SSDVCC has grown from Shaquera’s crusade to pull herself and her children out of the control of intense domestic violence. Through her own experience with the multiple systems that impact survivors of domestic violence, Shaquera is acutely aware of the value of having mentors and advocates who support and believe you in you through what can be a long and brutal process.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

We hope to accomplish large-scale change for Survivors of domestic violence by changing laws, breaking down stigma, increasing dialogue and awareness, and building connections.
Our work at Shaquera’s Story Domestic Violence Consulting and Coaching is incredibly important for several reasons: Domestic violence affects individuals and families in profound ways. Our organization provides essential support and resources for survivors, helping them escape abusive situations and rebuild their lives. We raise awareness about domestic violence and educate the public on its signs, consequences, and prevention. By doing so, we empower individuals to recognize and address domestic violence. Prevention is a key aspect of our work. By engaging with communities, schools, and various organizations, we aim to prevent domestic violence from occurring in the first place. This proactive approach can help break the cycle of abuse. We have a strong Advocacy and Policy Change component focused on changes in laws and policies related to domestic violence. We work with lawmakers to improve legal protections for survivors and hold abusers accountable.
Crisis Intervention is crucial for DV victims and we provide critical crisis intervention services, helping individuals in immediate danger access shelter, legal support, and counseling. In addition, we understand that after the immediate dangers are addressed, victims need a network of support to help them heal and regain their independence. This support is vital for their physical and emotional well-being. Domestic Violence often strips survivors of their agency and self-esteem, therefore, we intentionally work to empower survivors to take control of their lives and make decisions that are in their best interest. By working with both survivors and perpetrators, our organization aims to break the cycle of abuse, offering resources for individuals who may be prone to abusive behavior.
In summary, our work is vital because we provide vital support to survivors, educate the public, work to prevent domestic violence, advocate for policy change, and contribute to the overall well-being and safety of communities. Our work is instrumental in creating a world where domestic violence is less prevalent, and survivors have the resources they need to escape and heal from abusive situations.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

The advice I would give is to ensure that your program/business is rooted in integrity and humanity. Being transparent from the start with meaningful and sustainable measures is a critical first step for empowering your clients/audience.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Building trust across diverse communities and populations with our people-first approach and practices. Engaging in community in ways that the community wants, and not imposing our thoughts and beliefs on how we think they want us to show up to effect change. We do not only meet the community where they are, but we leverage the power by uplifting the voices of those who otherwise are left feeling silenced or unheard. We understand all too well how complicated advocacy and awareness can be for those whose lives are heavily impacted by multiple systems when trying to navigate towards a life free from abuse.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shaquerastory.org
• Instagram: shaquerastory_dvcc, lightstory83
• Facebook: shaquera’s story domestic violence consulting and coaching, inc
• Linkedin: Shaquera (Shaquera Story) Robinson, MPH

Image Credits

I own the right to the images of myself.