For Doris Villaverde, the work of supporting victims of violence is not just a profession—it is deeply personal.
Growing up in Chicago’s Bridgeport neighborhood, Doris experienced firsthand the kinds of hardships that many families face but rarely speak openly about. Her father was abusive toward her mother in many ways, and as a child Doris often found herself stepping into adult responsibilities. As a bilingual speaker, she frequently translated for her mother while seeking services and support, navigating difficult systems at a young age in hopes of helping her family find safety.
Those experiences stayed with her. Later in life, another tragedy struck when Doris lost her brother to gun violence—an event that forever changed her understanding of how deeply violence can ripple through a family and a community.
Today, Doris uses those experiences to guide her work as a Victim Advocate with the Southwest Organizing Project’s Communities Partnering 4 Peace (CP4P) team. Doris has been in the role for two years, a position she stepped into after being encouraged to apply by Director of Case Management and Community Organizing with SWOP-CP4P, Armando Mancilla, who believed her life experience and compassion would make her a strong advocate for victims.
As a Victim Advocate, Doris responds to both fatal and non-fatal gun violence incidents across the Southwest Organizing Project’s service areas, including Gage Park, Chicago Lawn, West Elsdon, and Auburn Gresham. When a shooting occurs, Doris often begins by contacting hospitals—relationships she worked hard to build with medical staff and partner organizations—to connect with victims and their families. In those moments, people are often experiencing shock, grief, fear, or confusion, and Doris helps guide them toward resources and support.
Her work also extends beyond crisis response. Doris serves as a co-facilitator for a Domestic Violence support group and has recently become increasingly involved in youth programming. She embraces opportunities that allow her to build deeper connections with community members and support new initiatives that emerge.
Doris says one of the most meaningful parts of her work comes from being able to support people in situations that remind her of her own childhood.
“As a bilingual speaker, there were several times I had to translate for my mother when she was trying to get services,” she shared. “So it feels good to be on the other end now, helping those who need those services.”
Her perspective allows her to meet people where they are—with understanding, patience, and compassion. One of the biggest challenges Doris sees in the community is that many residents simply do not know what resources are available to them.
“I feel like not many community members are aware of the resources throughout the community,” she explained. “I feel like it is our responsibility to make sure they are more aware of what’s available.”
She believes outreach is essential. The most effective way to create change, she says, is by being present.
“Boots on the ground,” Doris emphasizes. “Being out there in the community and engaging with people where they are.”
At the same time, she recognizes that while many organizations are working to support the community, gaps can still form when efforts are not fully connected. Strengthening collaboration between organizations, she believes, would help ensure that fewer people fall through those gaps.
The emotional weight of the work can be heavy. Doris regularly meets people at some of the most painful moments of their lives—whether visiting victims recovering in hospitals or comforting families who have just lost someone they love.
“It’s challenging meeting people at their lowest,” she said. “Some people may not be able to deal with that.”
But for Doris, the answer lies in empathy.
“We need to have empathy and compassion at every turn in order to assist with these situations.”
For anyone interested in doing similar work, Doris keeps her advice simple: start by becoming involved in the community.
“Being involved helps you make connections,” she said. “It helps you understand the needs of the community.”
Those relationships and the trust that grows from them are the foundation of meaningful change. Advocacy is about standing beside people in their most vulnerable moments and helping them find support, resources, and hope.
Doris’ journey from translating for her mother as a child to advocating for families across Chicago today reflects the kind of heart work that strengthens communities from within.
