This website is written, managed and maintained by AARDVARC.org, Inc. - a non-profit organization dedicated to combating family and relationship violence, sexual violence and child abuse. We are a 100% volunteer organization with an annual budget under $3,000.

The organization was formed in 1996 and incorporated as a non-profit organization in 2001 (IRS ruling received in 2004) by former victims of relationship and family violence for the purposes of assisting others to find resources, receive guidance, and enjoy the support and empathy of others who have "been there, done that". We went from victims to advocates - leaving our abusive situations and going on to run battered women's shelters or to work as police officers, 911 dispatchers, victim advocates, or counselors.

This national-scope website evolved in response to the many requests we received, and continue to receive, from victims, families, and professional agencies seeking assistance. We've worked for, and been served by, the types of resources presented on this site. We hope our experiences on both sides of the fence will prove to be helpful to you, our visitors.

President: Cindi Black. Cindi Black Grant Services, Florida.
Cindi semi-retired to Florida after 20 years of service in offender management and domestic violence, including serving as executive director of a domestic violence shelter and as Development Director for the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. She currently provides contracted services in grant writing and program development for social service agencies and non-profits. She is a member of the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence

Vice President: Annette Blackhart, Colorado.
Annette has been a long-time advocate for those who could not advocate for themselves. She founded KPC Kids Place - a crisis nursery providing non-punative services and counseling to families who, for a variety of reasons, have children at high risk to become victims of child abuse.

Secretary: Letitia Ward. Seminole County Sheriff's Office, Florida.
Tish serves as a civilian Security Specialist, specializing in security procedures, target hardening, safety planning, and behavioral and environmental crime prevention.

Treasurer: Mary Rose Cassavant. Jack Henry & Associates, Alabama.
Mary Rose worked her way to a Master's Degree in Counseling as a computer geek. She still works as a programmer analyst in the financial services industry.

Executive Director: Catherine NeSmith
Catherine grew up in her family's non-profit management business until bitten by the law enforcement bug in 1994. She studied Criminal Justice at Troy University and has worked as a 911 dispatcher, Deputy Clerk of Court, and victim advocate at a domestic violence shelter. She serves as a member of one of Florida's 11 active Domestic Violence Fatality Review Boards. With a keen appreciation for networking, she is a member of the National Criminal Justice Honor Society, the American Criminal Justice Association, the National Sheriff's Association, the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, the Florida Coalition Against Sexual Violence, and the International Association of Crime Analysts. She is pursuing her Masters degree in crime analysis.