LAVO will continue to be available by phone and online for victims and survivors during this stressful time.
As always, services are free and confidential. Call 225.342.1570
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If you have an upcoming pardon/parole hearing or would like to prepare in advance, LAVO offers assistance in drafting your victim-impact statement. We offer our assistance through the following:
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Notifying the Pardon/Parole Board of your attendance
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Editing & Submitting your statement on time
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Free Counseling
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Be present at the hearing as support
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L AVO is...
Knowledge is important. LAVO provides notification about upcoming pardon and parole hearings, information about statewide policies, and instruction about how the pardons and parole process works. This knowledge can help victims feel more confident, lessen confusion about how pardon and parole decisions are made, and lead to greater ease throughout the process.
Victims deserve to heal from harm. Even if the harm was caused many years ago, it can have lasting effects. Healing is still possible. LAVO offers counseling, as well as a variety of other restorative practices, such as mindfulness, expressive arts, and self-compassion training. All services are free and confidential.
There is a large victim and survivor community. Within this are people who represent a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and insights. LAVO brings victims, survivors, advocates, service providers, and community members together in order to strengthen connections that can lead to greater health and wholeness for everyone.
COUNSELING SERVICES
Louisiana Victim Outreach's licensed social worker provides free individual and group counseling to survivors of violence throughout the post-conviction process. LAVO offers a safe, supportive space to process trauma and loss, and work toward holistic mental and emotional health. Counseling services are available in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and through HIPAA compliant video conferencing.
To set up a session, please call 225.342.1570, or click one of the links below for more information.
OUR TEAM
JULIE COLLURA MM, MSW, LCSW
Director of Social Services
Julie Collura, MM, MSW, LCSW, is the Social Services Director for the Louisiana Victim
Outreach Program (LAVO). Julie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and is working toward registration as a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT).
Through LAVO, she provides support, information, and resources to victims and survivors of
violent offenses throughout the post-conviction process.
Prior to her work with LAVO, Julie provided therapeutic counseling to survivors of domestic and sexual violence at the New Orleans Family Justice Center. She has also worked as an advocate for survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence, providing in-person and crisis line support, as well as medical and legal advocacy. In addition, she volunteered extensively throughout the U.S. and East Africa, teaching English as a Second Language to adults and children, and facilitating groups for women and girls.
Julie has a Master of Social Work from the Tulane University School of Social Work and a
Master of Music from the University of South Florida. She is a classically trained clarinetist and a jazz vocalist. Before transitioning into a career in social work, Julie spent fifteen years as an orchestra librarian. Julie uses visual art, music, movement, writing, and mindfulness as tools for healing in both individual and group counseling.
