How a bold idea became Atlanta’s first mobile victim services unit through strategy, collaboration, and a $91,000 grant.
Written by: Shari Williams, GPC
Driving Innovation for Victims of Crime: AVA’s Community Care Unit
Since 1984, Atlanta Victim Assistance, Inc. (AVA) has been a leading force in Atlanta, providing comprehensive services, resources, and advocacy for more than 155,000 victims of crime and their loved ones.
As one of RIC’s very first clients, AVA has been a trusted partner for a decade. Together, we’ve secured over $7 million in vital funding for trauma-informed services that anchor the community’s response to violence and crisis.
In 2023, AVA shared with us a bold vision: to launch a mobile victim services unit that would bring immediate, on-site support directly to neighborhoods, families, and individuals impacted by crime and violence. More than just a vehicle, the Community Care Unit (CCU) would serve as a mobile haven — a trauma-informed, accessible space for victims and their families to receive crisis support, resources, and compassion when they need it most.
The project was ambitious. It required purchasing and renovating a recreational vehicle, outfitting it for safety and dignity, and building the operational framework to sustain mobile services long-term. But we knew it had the power to transform victim services in metro Atlanta.
We worked closely with AVA to prepare a compelling Letter of Intent for the targeted grant opportunity: Impact100 Atlanta. Together, we outlined the urgency of the need, the project’s timeline, and its long-term sustainability. When the LOI was accepted, we immediately got to work on the full proposal — digging into impact projections, service delivery models, staffing, and evaluation.
When AVA advanced to the site visit round, they turned to us again. We reviewed every detail of the application and ensured they were prepared to represent the project with clarity and confidence.
That preparation paid off: AVA was awarded $91,000 to bring the CCU to life.
Since its launch in spring 2025, the CCU has delivered direct services to victims of crime, provided trauma-informed presence at community events, supported families and communities after mass shootings, and helped distribute food and resources across Atlanta. It has become both a tool for response and a symbol of community resilience and care.
At RIC, we’re proud to stand behind visionary nonprofits like AVA. If your organization has a bold idea, we’ll help you bring it to life — and get the funding to make it happen.
