I was employed at the McNabb Center right out of college. I always knew that I wanted to become a Domestic Violence Advocate ever since I volunteered at CEASE, a local shelter that has since been dissolved. I saw the need for advocacy in our area for domestic violence and I wanted to have a hand in the change. Harbor of Hamblen popped up and in March it was taken over by the McNabb Center in Hamblen County right as I was about to graduate. I interviewed and I got the job because of my passion of the topic. I had heard so much good about the McNabb Center and the changes they were making in people’s lives and I wanted to become a part of it.

I have been employed here now for around seven months and it is the best job I have ever had. I make daily impacts with clients going through domestic violence and I am making my change by educating the community and offering services in this area to the best of my ability until expansion comes around. McNabb took a chance on me being straight out of college and to this day I am grateful for that chance because making a difference in my own community is the most rewarding thing I can possibly do. The people here have become like a second family to me with one thing in common; to improve the lives of the people we serve.

I love working with the shelters and other community non-profits and services to better coordinate the needs of our clients. This job has changed my life and has had a big impact on me. I look forward to the future of this program and my employment with McNabb.

-Darann Cox, Domestic Violence Advocate, Hamblen Outreach