Gail Ortiz Becomes New Board Vice President.

New Executive Director Nicole Shellcroft

Effective July 1, 2008, the Domestic Violence Center of the Santa Clarita Valley has a new Executive Director and a new Board of Directors Vice President. 

Nicole Shellcroft was named Executive Director, while Gail Ortiz was unanimously elected by the Board to take over as Vice President.

Nicole has worked at the Domestic Violence Center since 2005, first as the Shelter Manager, and then as Client Services Coordinator.  Nicole holds a Master’s degree in Social Welfare from UCLA and will soon complete a Master’s degree in Social Psychology from San Francisco State University. 

Also effective July 1, 2008, Angela Rubalcava was named as the Agency’s new Program Director.  Angela was the Domestic Violence Center’s Bilingual Outreach Coordinator from 2005 to 2006, and she returns after having completed her Master of Social Work degree from USC.

New Program Director Angela Rubalcava

The Domestic Violence Center has also created two new positions effective July 1, 2008.  Almira Agosto will leave her position as Program Director to become the agency's new Director of Prevention Services, a position responsible for the agency's growing violence prevention programs, including such services as youth groups and community outreach and education.  Almira has been with the agency since 2006 and has served as Program Director and as Bilingual Outreach Coordinator.  She brings years of social service experience working in youth-oriented settings and an unbridled enthusiasm for working with teens. 

After several years as the agency's Executive Director, with prior experience as Program Director and Direct Services Coordinator, Jean Albrent assumes the new position of Clinical Director.  This new position allows Albrent to continue working closely with clients and to focus on developing the comprehensive clinical services which is her passion.

[view:node_ad=5]Gail Ortiz was elected Vice President following the resignation of long-time board member and former VP Dean Anderson.  Ortiz has been a member of the Domestic Violence Center Board of Directors since 2004 and works as the Communications Manager for the City of Santa Clarita.

“I am especially pleased to be able to make these announcements as the agency celebrates its 25th anniversary.  The Domestic Violence Center of the Santa Clarita Valley has grown and changed a great deal since its founding in 1983, and as we look back at those changes it seems appropriate to also look forward.  Our goal is to continue to grow and develop the Agency and to serve the ever-growing numbers of domestic violence victims and survivors in our community.  It is nothing short of amazing to look back at  what we have accomplished over the last 25 years; with these changes, we are all excited to see what we can do with the next 25!” commented Nicole Shellcroft, the new Agency Executive Director.