The History
Voices of Change 2018 ("VOC18") was founded by Nicole Moehring and her daughter Maci. The passion and drive behind starting this organization came after Maci and her brother Evan, who was diagnosed with Fragile X Syndrome and Autism, were both unfortunate victims of sexual abuse and assault.
VOC18 is unique because it is not disability specific such as Autism Speaks, The Upside of Downs or United Cerebral Palsy. VOC18 helps children with disabilities under the age of 21 with cognitive, intellectual and physical disabilities, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, or gender identity. Services also extend to the child's families and/or guardians.
Nicole never realized how vulnerable her son was to abuse because no one talks about the statistics and there is very little preventive education for individuals with disabilities. Nicole believes with proper education; she and her family would have been better prepared and able to help her son.
Nicole felt that, because Evan has a disability, his rights were taken away, he was discriminated against, and his voice wasn’t heard. She felt very alone in her quest for justice and finding support and resources for his road to recovery.
Children with disabilities, who have been victims of abuse/assault, need a voice, advocates, preventive education, access to support systems and recovery.
VOC18 is unique because it is not disability specific such as Autism Speaks, The Upside of Downs or United Cerebral Palsy. VOC18 helps children with disabilities under the age of 21 with cognitive, intellectual and physical disabilities, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, or gender identity. Services also extend to the child's families and/or guardians.
Nicole never realized how vulnerable her son was to abuse because no one talks about the statistics and there is very little preventive education for individuals with disabilities. Nicole believes with proper education; she and her family would have been better prepared and able to help her son.
Nicole felt that, because Evan has a disability, his rights were taken away, he was discriminated against, and his voice wasn’t heard. She felt very alone in her quest for justice and finding support and resources for his road to recovery.
Children with disabilities, who have been victims of abuse/assault, need a voice, advocates, preventive education, access to support systems and recovery.
The vision, THE MISSION
By sharing lived experiences and through collaboration with law enforcement, mental health and medical professionals and other similar organizations, Voices of Change 2018 is building a foundation for advocacy, awareness, education, and resources for children with disabilities and their families.
THE MISSION
To reduce the risk of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of children with disabilities.
WE ARE ACCOMPLISHING THE MISSION THROUGH:
AWARENESS • ADVOCACY • COLLABORATION • EDUCATION • EMPOWERMENT • JUSTICE • RESPECT • RESOURCES
AWARENESS: To create awareness of the global epidemic about abuse of children with disabilities.
ADVOCACY: To be advocates for children with disabilities.
COLLABORATION: Through collaboration of local, state, national and international organizations, Voices of Chage 2018 seeks to form partnerships to strengthen its vision and mission.
EDUCATION: Voices of Chage 2018 believes education for parents, guardians, our communities; law enforcement, mental health and medical professionals is imperative to reduce the risk of abuse for children with disabilities.
EMPOWERMENT: Voices of Chage 2018 position is that through appropriate education, children with disabilities will develop self-awareness of their bodies and be able to identify unsafe situations and how to tell people in their "Caring Friends" circle if they feel unsafe or if they have been abused.
JUSTICE: Voices of Chage 2018 feels the path to justice, in whatever form, should be equal and accessible to all.
RESPECT: Voices of Chage 2018 philosophy is that everyone should be treated with dignity, equality, and respect. Everyone’s voice has a right to be heard.
RESOURCES: Voices of Chage 2018 believes families, caregivers and professionals should have access to resources to provide preventative measures to reduce the risk of abuse. Voices of Change 2018 also believes in having immediate access to resources for children and their families, in the even the child has been abused.
Statistics
They are 3.7 times more likely than non-disabled peers to be victims of some form of violence, 3.6 times more likely to be victims of physical violence and 2.9 times more likely to be victims of sexual violence.
Often, children with disabilities do not realize they are being abused.
Many times, the perpetrator is the child’s primary caregiver, a family member or someone the family or child knows.
Perpetrators often threaten children, so they are afraid to tell anyone. Allowing the abuse to continue and as a result, the child more than likely will suffer from extensive trauma.
Lack of preventative education, resources, supports for providers, along with the stigma of not talking about body safety, abuse, body autonomy, etc., put children with disabilities at an increased risk of being abused.
A Message From THE Founders
Our family went through this. We should have had access to support and services. We didn’t. We felt the devastation. We never want anyone else to feel that way.
We have built a foundation from our lived experience by providing:
1. Preventative education for children with disabilities, their parents, guardians, medical, mental health professionals and law enforcement
2. Guidance, resources, and support for victims and their families
Nicole Moehring, Founder Maci Lynch, Co - founder
the Team
Board of Directors
Voices of Change 2018 is governed by a dedicated Board of Directors.
Clare Quartaraco
Interim President, Treasurer
Owner, LaVida Massage
David Dohnal
Board Member
Probate Judge Appointment The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Assistant General Counsel (Retired)
Joseph Storad
Board Member
Summit County Sheriff's Office Detective (Retired)
Kathy Morris-McCandless
Secretary
American Greetings (Retired)
Open Position
Board Member