DEAR members ….

As we enter the Thanksgiving season, we

are reminded of our blessings and of your

generosity. In that spirit, I hope you will

continue to remember and support our mis-

sions of services to crime victims and their

families.

The Maryland Crime Victims’ Resource

Center, Inc. (MCVRC) remains the voice

and presence of those whose lives have

been forever changed by crime … a part of

society none of us wish to join.

For more than thirty-one years, MCVRC

has been dedicated to helping crime victims

in their journey by enabling them to find

hope and healing for their lives.

We invite you to make a difference for

crime victims with a holiday donation.

“Thank you for being there when I needed you most …”

MCVRC is buckling

down in the midst of

significant funding

cuts.

Keep yourself safe

this holiday season,

always be aware of

your surroundings!

Don’t fall victim to ID

Theft. ID Theft Aware-

ness Week is January.

Want to boost your

résumé? Volunteer

with the MCVRC as an

Office Assistant or

Court Accompaniment.

Newsletter Highlights

Inside this issue:

Dear Members 1

Crime Prevention 1

Taxi Identity Theft 2

Holiday Greetings/

MCVRC Update

3

MCVRC Donors 4—6

Corporate Sponsor

Donates Big 7

Membership 8

Volunteer

Opportunities

8

2013 : : Volume 1, Issue I

At night, park in a well-lit area and as close to the stores as possible. Hold your keys in

your hand, ready to use, when you return to your car.

Wait to electronically unlock your vehicle until you are within door opening distance.

Don’t talk on a cell phone when walking through parking lots and streets. Keep your

full attention on your surroundings.

If you believe someone is following you, cross the street, switch directions, walk into a

store or restaurant. If you are really scared yell. Don’t be embarrassed. Your safety is

more important. Source: Baltimore County Maryland Police Department Crime Prevention Tips

Crime Prevention Tips To Keep You Safe While Shopping this Holiday Season

Your gift, no matter how small, can

make a difference.

How? By enabling an MCVRC advocate

or attorney to:

Prepare a family for the trial of the person

accused of taking the life of their loved

one ….

Comfort and support the family or the

victim whose life was robbed or threat-

ened, or attacked and left to die ….

Educate and assist victims about their

rights in criminal justice proceedings: to

information, to their rights to be present in

a courtroom; to their rights to be heard at

sentencing and parole, and to their rights

to restitution and compensation …

Counsel the rape victim who has lost their

trust in others …

Find safe shelter and security for victims

of violence and their

children …

Guide and support the victim whose

identity was stolen and feels isolated and

alone …

Assist and represent the legal interest of a

victim in seeking enforcement of their

rights …. (Continued on next page)

MCVRC Newsletter

http://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/police/basics.html#accessorize

Empower the families of homicide victims to be survivors and to thrive … through a peer sup-

port group.

Listen to the voices of victims whom MCVRC has been privileged to help … their words convey

their needs and the benefits of the free support and legal services they have received. The world

may have too quickly forgotten the crime … may tell them to “get on with their lives” … but

MCVRC remembers and remains with them throughout their time of need.

A few voices of victims we have served … “ Thanks a million and one. It was truly comforting in my deepest time of trouble. The whole

entire staff deserves kudos for outstanding work. I can’t say it enough.”

“ Thank you for being there when I needed you most. Your caring really helped me look at a

whole new way at life.”

“The MCVRC Center was really there for me. I felt that I had nowhere to turn to but they made

me feel that they had known me for a lifetime and were very supportive and understanding.

Thank you for everything.”

“Thank you. I live in another state and the person who assaulted me was transferred to prison in

Maryland. Your staff was sympathetic and tremendously helpful. I truly appreciate the email

notices, the proactive and complete contact information in the emails. And the knowledge that

you have my back!”

“I thank you and your office for all the help you have given us in this matter. I would like to give

a donation to the office so that others can be helped also. I know how it feels to not have anyone

try to help you when you feel so hopeless. Your office reached out to me when I really needed

help. You guys were a Godsend.”

# # #

MCVRC has struggled with the most severe financial challenges in our history. We ask

you to consider honoring and remembering a crime victim with a holiday gift that will help

to sustain our missions of services.

Peace and blessings from the MCVRC family to yours!

Roberta Roper, Founder & Board Chair

cently for MCVRC founder

Roberta Roper, when she

discovered that her late hus-

band Vincent's information

had been used.

How do victims learn about

the crime? For many vic-

tims, the first sign that this

crime has occurred comes in

the form of a letter from the

IRS, responding to a tax re-

fund filing by informing the

victim that they are ineligible

Before we know it, tax sea-

son will be upon us. More

people each year discover

that they have been victims

of tax identity theft, a situa-

tion in which a criminal uses

one's social security number

to steal a tax refund.

Unfortunately, this crime can

even occur after one's death,

causing further grief for the

family members of the de-

ceased, as was the case re-

to file because it appears they

have already filed for and re-

ceived their refund.

How does this happen? In some

cases, criminals will "phish" for

information by sending an email

claiming to be the IRS. The IRS

will never contact you requesting

information in this way.

If you get an email like this, for-

ward it to phishing@irs.gov.

Page 2

Tax Identity Theft

“Thank you for

being there

when I needed

you most. Your

caring really

helped me look

at a whole new

way of life”

Dear Members cont.

Volume 1, Issue 1

mailto:phishing@irs.gov

In other cases, someone

without a SSN of their own

or with a criminal record

may use your SSN to get a

job. The employer will

report those earnings to the

IRS, and you'll be unaware

of them when you file. The

IRS records will show that

you didn't report all of

your income.

In other cases, criminals

will troll the available lists

of SSN's of the recently

deceased, with the intent to

use those numbers to file

returns.

So what can victims

do? Contact the IRS Iden-

tity Protection Specialized

Unit 1-800-908-4490. The

IRS will instruct you on

how to file a form which

they require called the IRS

ID Theft Affidavit Form

14039. Consider also filing

a police report. Its impor-

tant to prepare yourself for

the unfortunate fact that

criminals could use the

stolen information to com-

mit other types of identity

theft in the future. Contact

MCVRC at 877-842-8461

to speak with a victim ad-

vocate who can walk you

through the sometimes com-

plex and lengthy recovery

process and help you to pro-

tect your information from

further victimization. We are

here to help every victim of

every type of crime and as

always - all services are free

of charge.

You can learn more at a

Consumer Education Semi-

nar hosted by the Federal

Trade Commission and fea-

turing MCVRC and other

experts on January 14, 2014,

from 7:00 to 9:00 pm at the

Laurel Community Center,

9411 Whiskey Bottom Rd,

Laurel, MD 20723.

Maryland Crime Victims’ Resource

Center’s Status and Update

2013 has proven to be one of the most

difficult years since I became executive

director. While we have continued to

make outstanding strides to advance the

interests of crime victims, fiscal con-

cerns have taken center stage this year.

Our staff continues its amazing work.

Every day MCVRC continues to raise

the bar for victim justice. We’ve been

honored to welcome several new staff

members and volunteers. From every

intake; support group meeting; court

accompaniment, legal representation in

trial courts, appellate courts, and parole

hearings; new legislation or a court rule

to every advancement of the National

Identity Theft Victim Assistance Net-

work (NITVAN), much has been

gained. MCVRC has 24/7 on-line in-

takes for Maryland victims and it has

worked to include on-line self-help ma-

terial in over half of the statewide legal

websites in jurisdictions across the coun-

try and as far away as in Micronesia.

With the imminent end of our identity

theft funding and for the first time since

2002, MCVRC will soon be without direct

federal funding.

To say the least, losing half of your

organization’s funding base is a

monumental challenge. Considering

that the 2013 theme from National

Crime Victims’ Rights Week was

“New Challenges. New Solutions”,

we need new solutions.

Faced with loosing half of our staff in Fis-

cal Year 2014 and even more reductions

pending in Fiscal Year 2015, we turned to

emergency mode in order to pay our bills

and avoid losing needed staff to assist vic-

tims. Stepping up to the plate with new

solutions were The Governor’s Office of

Crime Control and Prevention (GOCCP),

The Maryland State Board of Victims Ser-

vices (Board), and General Dynamics C4

Systems (GDC4S).

GOCCP and the Board has offered support

for FY 14 and 15 that will offer assistance

to include the State compliance intuitive to

help insure that victims obtain their rights.

GDC4S sponsored a successful fundraiser

in which we were joined by two of

(Continued on next page)

Page 3 Volume 1, Issue 1

Holiday Greetings from Russell Butler

Tax Identity Theft cont.

“While we have

continued to make

outstanding strides to

advance the interests

of crime victims,

fiscal concerns have

taken center stage

this year.”

Tax Identity Theft Awareness

Week is in January.

Page 4

Maryland’s Congressional representatives (see inset pictures on pages 2-5).

Replicating these efforts will be critical to MCVRC’s ability to sustain our mission.

As we look towards 2014, we ask for your help to identify and request financial support

from individuals and corporations who want their voices counted as caring and assisting

crime victims. To the extent that you can contribute financially as well, you too will be

part of the solution to reduce our reliance on governmental grants.

Your efforts will be greatly appreciated. Thank you and happy holidays.

Holiday Greetings cont.

Akila Nayak

Arlene & Alan Brother

Helen R. Cordero

Aloyse Demuth

Andrea Foad

Arthur & Heather M. Nesbit

Mr. & Mrs.Audie L. Hudnell

Barbara A. Bonina

Barbara Corwell

Barbara Anderson

Barbara Easterling

Benjamin Kopacz

Betty Bunns-Gay

Betty English

Betty T. & Martin J. Oberman

Betty O’Leary, Price Waterhouse Cooper

Brian Frank, Esq.

Bryan Cave

Byron Warnken, Esq.

Mr. & Mrs. Calvin Bell

Captain & Mrs. Sokol

Carol & John Henyecz

Carol J. Sallie

Catherine Vilsack

Celia O. Culbert

Mr. & Mrs. Charles Shilling

Mr. & Mrs. Daniel J. Donovan

Darrren Margolis

Mr. & Mrs. David Hudak

Debra A. & Ben D. Tall

Debra Neighoff

Debra L. Stanley & Kenneth Robertson

Delaney & Keffler, LLC

Denise Doychak

Department of Assessment and Taxation

MCVRC Gratefully Acknowledges the Support of the Following Donors

In Memory of Vincent Roper Department of Public Safety & Corrections Services

Diane Lynn Jeffries

Doralea D. Pepper

Douglas H. Thompson

Dr. & Mrs. William Sondervan

Edgar H. Parker

Edgar A. & Melanie A. Pineda

Edith C. Warner & Nancy E. Brazerol

Edward G. & Anna M. Curtin

Elaine R. Witman

Ella Hunter

Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Washington

Francis W. & Margery H. Patten

Frank & Joyce L. Del Borrello

Fraternal Order of Police (Lodge 89)

G.M. Benton & Z.E. Givens

George & Kay Hubert Mr. & Mrs. Gerald A. Behnken

Gerald W. & Jennifer M. Frasso

Isabel Cummings

Mr. & Mrs. James Bouldin James Stam

Jean & David Judd

Jill Asch

Mr. & Mrs.John G. Cooke

Mr. & Mrs. John D. Stringer

John E. & Patricia Montgomery

John L. & Evelyn M. Ferguson Juan & Joan Torres

John Paul & Julia Corrado Judith Sachwald Julie A. Drake, Esq.

Kenneth A. & Gail R. Fritsche

Keena & Bernie Harley

Lawrence & Angela Colabucci

Above: Rep. Chris Van

Hollen supports

MCVRC at an October

fundraiser in

Washington, DC. Click

here for an article

about Members of

Congress advocating

for local crime victims

and federal support.

Volume 1, Issue 1

C:/Users/p90904/Documents/AdministrativeC:/Users/p90904/Documents/Administrative

Mr. & Mrs. Leonard Harp

Ilene Nathan, Esq.

Ira E. & Sandra J. Kaplan

Lauren Kaczokowski

Lexington National Insurance

Corp.

Linda & Steve Kelly

Lisa Romano

Maria Concetta Cordone Maria E. & Kenneth W. O’Haver Maria Wiss

Mary Wills & John Murter Marianne E. & David Julian Maryln Evans Mary T. Moherek

Maryland State’s Attorneys’ Asso-

ciation

Millard & Dorothy Smith

MD CASE

Melina Scotto

Michael & Violet Raymond

Michael W. & Mary P. Kauffman

Naomi Taffet

Mr. & Mrs. Oliver Smith

Pamela Widgeon

Mr. & Mrs. Patrick Murphy

Patrice Huchinson & Norman

Workman

Patsy J. & John Gillis

Ray’s Jewelers

Rea J. Goldfinger

Robin Haskins

Rhonda Pearson

Richard & Helen Kelley

Richard & Madeline Anawalt

Mr. & Mrs. Ronald S. Nosalik

Ronnie & Bonnie Goldstein

Rosalie B. & James M. Romano

Rosanne C. & Hubert S. Cooksey

Robert & Nancy Moyer

Robert Y. Clagett, Esq.

Roberta R. Roper & Family

Rev. Roderick D. McKee

Rosemarie Bronko

Rosetta Dolores Thomas

Russell P. & Carole J. Butler

Russ & Barbie Corwell

Sally S. Simpson

Scott Chester

Sharon & Stephen Jacob

Sheila & George Dobiliauskas

Social Justice Ventures , LLC

Susan Russell

Susan & Tom Kelly

The Crescent Cities Jaycees Fdn, Inc.

Mr. & Mrs. Terence S. Gunderson

Teresa Marlene Dumas

The Maryland State Board of Victim Services

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas V. Howley

Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Hudak

Mr. & Mrs. T.J. Hudak

Tracey Delaney, Esq.

Tracey Stamper

Verletic W. Devane

Virginia Wolf

Willard G. & Ella F. Gould

Yolande T. Anderson

Individual Contributions

American Charities

Anthony G. & Joan C. Komastsoulis

Carmen E. Davis

Dan E. Phillipp

Dan K. Morhaim

Daniel & Daria N. King

Donald Sender

Harry Klapper, DDS

Mr. & Mrs. James V. Donnelly

Judith Sachwald

Karen & Bill Hartnett

Katherine Kelley

Lawrence H., Jr. & Kathleen B. Owen

Michael C. Blount

N. James & Ellen P. Myerbery

Patricia J. Ferguson

Page 5 Volume 1, Issue 1

Below:

Congresswoman

Donna Edwards

gives the

keynote address

at the October

MCVRC

fundraiser in

Washington, DC.

Queen of the Knights Auxilliary

Rosaria D. Fichter

Rotary Club of Beltsville Foundation

Rotary Club of Crofton Foundation Saiontz & Kirk

William J. & Sharlene Passmore Women’s Club of Laurel

Page 6

Like us on Facebook!

Follow us on Twitter!

Stay informed

with the latest

MCVRC

developments.

Show your

support and tell

others how

much you care.

Join us on

social media!

Let’s connect on LinkedIn!

Donation to the Garden of Remembrance Azrael, Gann & Franz, LLP

In Memory of Julie Ferguson Diane Lynn Jeffries

In Memory of Pat Belcher Harold Belcher

James David & Lisa McCabe Hobbs

Joanne Clark

Mary Ann Hobbs

Patricia & Timothy Daigle

Stephen A. & Lynn C. Denny

W.H. & G.F. Scott

In Memory of Pat Raines Linda Payne

In Memory of Marie Workman Robert S. & Connie B. Legg

In Memory of John Rashlich Eugene M. Rashlich

Anne H. Kelly

Charlie & Clara Myers

Cortney L. Fisher, Esq.

Mr. & Mrs Donald Sullivan

Mr. & Mrs. George Delano

Knights of Columbus-Most Holy Rosary Council 11511

Krista Burich

Linda & Walter Fleischer

Mr. & Mrs. Matthias Kamm

Molly Knipe, YWCA of Annapolis & Anne Arundel Co.

Priscilla F. Barrrett

Donations to the Stephanie Roper Scholarship Fund at

Frostburg State University in Memory of Vincent W. Roper

Mr. Robert Minnich &

Ms. Jeanne Fitzpatrick

Roberta Roper & Family

Mr. & Mrs. Russell Butler

Pierce & Sylvia Ferriter

John & Julia Corrado

Stephen Berkeridge

Steven & Linda Kelly

Dr. Will Marling, NOVA

Kelson E. Slayman

Dustin & Judith Davis

Saiontz & Kirk

Tower Federal Credit Union Viridian Energy

W & A Law Partners, LLC

Engineered Building Solution, Inc.

General Dynamics C4 Systems

ITT Exelis

March Funeral Homes

Corporate Donors

Volume 1, Issue 1

http://www.facebook.com/MDVictimstwitter.com/mdcrimevictimshttp://www.linkedin.com/groups/Maryland-Crime-Victims-Resource-Center

Page 7

General Dynamics C4 Systems presented a

donation check for $10,000 to the Mary-

land Crime Victims’ Resource Center at

the October 24th fundraiser in Washington,

DC.

GDC4S recently came forward to support

MCVRC and sponsored the October fund-

raiser. In recognition of the company’s

sponsorship and financial contributions,

MCVRC honored General Dynamics with

a Special Recognition Award.

The award was presented by Mike An-

drews and accepted by James Norton on

behalf of the company.

Upon accepting the award, Mr. Norton

reflected on the value of MCVRC, its com-

Corporate Sponsor Donates $10,000!

munity, and the importance of sustaining

funding to organizations who steadily fight

for those who need it most.

We look forward to working with GDC4S

in 2014 and other corporate partners, so

that we may continue to offer vital services

In Memory of Kyle Scully

iPay Technologies, LLC

In Memory of Stephanie Roper

Barbie & Russ Corwell

In Memory of Karen Sita

Catherine S. Shifflett

Volume 1, Issue 1

Above: Anne Seymour is honored

with the MD Champion for Crime

Victims award. Left to right:

Roberta Roper, Rep. Donna Ed-

wards, Russell Butler.

In Memory of Michael Patten Margery & Frank Patten

In Memory of Ralph B. Thomas

Rosetta Dolores Thomas

Angela Rose is honored

by the organization for her

dedication to promoting

awareness of sexual vio-

lence.

Left to Right: Rep. Edwards, Roberta Roper,

Mike Andrews, James Norton, and Russell

Butler.

PHOTOS: MCVRC Fundraiser

Victim Supporter $25 As a Victim Supporter, you will receive a free subscription to the MCVRC newsletter includ-

ing advance notification of all special events.

Victim Friend $50 As a Victim Friend, you will receive a free subscription to the MCVRC newsletter including

advance notification of all special events, and a memorial ornament on the MCVRC-sponsored

Holiday Tree of Remembrance.

Victim Advocate $100 As a Victim Advocate, you will receive a free subscription to the MCVRC newsletter includ-

ing advance notification of all special events, a memorial ornament on the MCVRC-sponsored

Holiday Tree of Remembrance, and a 25% discount on all special event tickets.

Lifetime Membership $500

As a Lifetime Member, you will receive all benefits of a Victim Supporter for your lifetime.

Organization Membership $500 As a Organizational Member, your organization will receive the MCVRC newsletter including

advance notification of all special events, and three complimentary ornaments on the MCVRC

-sponsored Holiday Tree of Remembrance.

Main Office:

Phone: 301-952-0063

Phone: 877-842-8461

Fax: 240-929-0526

1001 Prince George’s Blvd.

Suite 750

Upper Marlboro, MD

20774-7427

Court Accompaniment – Assist victims through the criminal justice process by providing

accompaniment and support at criminal justice proceedings.

Special Events – Help with organizing and setting up special events, such as media confer-

ences, fundraisers and banquets.

Office Assistance – Work alongside our key staff by providing office assistance as your time

allows. Schedules are flexible to match your availability.

Community Events – Staff neighborhood gatherings, and other events as needed to provide

more information about The Maryland Crime Victims’ Resource Center.

Pro Bono Assistance – Attorneys to provide pro bono assistance to crime victims experienc-

ing civil matters that are a result of the victimization.

Page 8

Contact Us!

Volunteer!

Become A Member!

MCVRC utilizes

volunteers as well a

limited number of full

-time and part-time

staff in key positions.

Please consider

becoming one of our

volunteers.

Baltimore Office:

Phone: 410-234-9885

Fax: 410-234-9886

218 E. Lexington Street

Suite 401

Baltimore, MD 21202

DC Office:

Phone: 202-531-3346

Fax: 202-747-7518

Ronald Reagan Building &

International Trade Center

1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW

Suite 700

Washington, DC 20004

Volume 1, Issue 1

To make a donation

by mail please make

checks payable to

“Maryland Crime

Victims Resource

Center” and mail to

“1001 Prince

George’s Blvd, Ste

750, Upper Marl-

boro, MD 20774”.

Visit us online: www.MDCrimeVictims.org

https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_flow&SESSION=bYqATcMUZzpFcWdHJ7UBeX9E5j0ayWWqdDPhtIPU4f7hS582nSCXBb3Gm3e&dispatch=5885d80a13c0db1f8e263663d3faee8def8934b92a630e40b7fef61ab7e9fe63http://www.mdcrimevictims.orghttp://www.linkedin.com/groups/Maryland-Crime-Victims-Resource-Centertwitter.com/mdcrimevictimshttp://www.facebook.com/MDVictims