Welcoming our new Executive Director, Kenosha Davenport.

The Sexual Violence Center is excited to announce the hiring of our new Executive Director, Kenosha Davenport. Kenosha comes to us as an Executive Director from The Family Refuge Center in West Virginia. She has dedicated 16 years of her life to the mission of ending sexual violence. During her career, she has been a volunteer coordinator, a prevention educator, and coordinator of a rape response program. She appreciates the crucial contributions of volunteers, advocates and staff at SVC to support the community and make change happen.

“I am excited to have been selected to be a part of SVC’s future and I’m looking forward to working with the Carver, Hennepin, and Scott County communities,” Kenosha said. “Minnesota has always been one of the leading states in the movement to end violence. The innovative programming and services are just one of the reasons why I am looking forward to working here.” She is also excited to inherit an experienced and passionate staff to work with.

During Kenosha’s four years of leadership, the population that The Family Refuge Center (FRC) serves has dramatically increased as a result of tripling the agency’s budget. Among other initiatives, she led the charge in collaborating with West Virginia State Representatives to pass a bi-partisan bill assessing additional court fees for perpetrators of violent crimes to create a new revenue source for the Victim Services of Cullman, Alabama.

Kenosha has a BA in psychology/sociology from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, an MBA from Marylhurst University and is currently working on a Doctorate of Business Administration from Walden University.

“The other 10,000 reasons for me to look forward to being here are the lakes, for fishing,” she said. Also on her agenda, will be a return visit, to her namesake, the city of Kenosha, Wisconsin. She will be moving to the Twin Cities with her youngest daughter, while her twins are currently away at college.

After five years at the Sexual Violence Center, current Executive Director, Kristen Houlton Shaw’s final day will be January 18th. On behalf of the staff, board, and advocates at SVC, we thank her for all of the hard work she put into the organization, creating the great resource that it is today.

Due to the busy nature of this transition, please contact Dr. Jennifer Hatfield, Interim Executive Director, with any immediate questions or concerns. You can reach Dr. Hatfield at [email protected] or (612) 817-4889.

The Sexual Violence Center provides respectful, confidential services to victim/survivors and their friends and families free of charge. Our services are open to everyone, regardless of race, religion, national origin, cultural orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, sexual orientation, legal status, relationship status, physical ability, political affiliations or beliefs, marital status, HIV status and financial status. We also offer education and training.