Valerie Bowman has been Director of the Family Justice Center since 2011 and Director of The Wellspring Domestic Violence Program since 2008. She has an undergraduate degree in Social Work from the University of Louisiana at Monroe and Certification in Domestic Violence and Masters in Family Consumer Science from Louisiana Tech University. She has over 20 years of experience working with victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault, Dating Violence and Stalking and has completed one of the nation’s leading Domestic Violence Advocacy Programs offered by Praxis International, The Advocacy Leaning Center. She is recognized as one of Louisiana’s most knowledgeable and experienced advocacy professionals. She is a past President and current Treasurer of the statewide advocacy organization the Louisiana Coalition against Domestic Violence and currently serves on its board. She also provides technical assistance training to domestic violence advocates, shelters statewide, and other professionals. She served on the Committee on Quality Assurance for the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services and regularly speaks about the impact of the targeted crimes in the Louisiana legislature as well as Congress. She is Chair of the SAFE Task Force which is Ouachita Parish’s coordinated community response partnership.

Email: vbowman@wellspringalliance.org

Christine Oliveaux started as a volunteer at the Safe Haven (Shelter for Battered Women) and is now the Client Services Advocate at the Ouachita Parish Family Justice Center. She has been employed with The Wellspring since 2008. Christine is no stranger to domestic violence as she is a survivor. She is qualified in the following: Trauma Informed Care, Suicide Prevention (ASIST), Sexual Assault Awareness, Crisis Intervention, Domestic Violence Awareness, Safety Planning, Referrals for Temporary Restraining Orders, Providing Direct Care Services, Self Defense, First Aid/CPR, Stress Management, and Scheduling Appointments for Primary Health & Case Managers, Conflict Resolution.
Christine has prior background training in law enforcement and is an asset to the domestic violence team. Many of the survivors who come in contact with her are inspired by her personal story of survival and her gentle understanding nature.

Email: coliveaux@wellspringalliance.org