March 2021 e-newsletter

It is with great pleasure that we introduce Roderick Howard as the Executive Director for the MADD Mid-Atlantic region!

Roderick has spent the majority of his professional career working in the non-profit sector, including 13 years of diverse roles with the YMCA. Before joining MADD, Roderick served as the Vice President of Community Engagement/Executive Director at the Piedmont Family YMCA in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Prior to moving to Virginia, he served as Executive Director of Youth Development at the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina. During his time at the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina, he held various positions in the organization and found his love for non-profit work. In addition to supporting his local YMCA Associations, Roderick worked with the National YMCA (YMCA of the USA) to launch programs, serve on national Employee Resource Groups, Multi-Cultural Development programs, Diversity and Inclusion committees and travel around the country engaging and supporting Y’s of all sizes.

Roderick holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Winston-Salem State University (2012) and a Master of Arts degree in Management and Leadership from Liberty University (2014).

Roderick looks forward to joining MADD as the Regional Executive Director of the Mid- Atlantic and delivering the mission of the organization to end drunk driving, fight drugged driving, prevent underage driving and support victims of these violent crimes.

In his free time, Roderick loves to spend time with his family and friends, shop, travel and spend time with his six-year-old Golden Doodle, Hudson.

Please join us in welcoming Roderick!

New Study by MADD Finds Majority of Americans Back Requiring Vehicle Technology to Prevent Drunk Driving

Making drunk driving prevention technology standard in every new car could prevent more than 9,400 deaths, according to an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study last year. A recent poll by MADD and Ipsos found that 9 of 10 Americans support technology that is integrated into a car's electronics to prevent drunk driving. Read more here.

2021 Legislative Session

On March 1, bad legislation which would have eliminated mandatory minimum sentences including those applied to repeatedly convicted drunk drivers, failed to pass in Virginia! Thank you to MADD VA volunteer Greg Estep and MADD National President Alex Otte, who testified for legislators regarding this bill. Big thanks also to our partners in this effort WRAP, AAA MidAtlantic, and the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility.

PowerTalk21 Kickoff

PowerTalk 21 is MADD’s National initiative to encourage parents to talk to their teens about alcohol.

This PowerTalk21®, MADD calls on all parents of middle and high school students to help prevent the spike in underage drinking that can result from teens resuming activities and gatherings post-pandemic.

MADD is challenging parents to get creative, make the intentional commitment to engage with their teens, and take part in the #PowerTalk21Challenge- 21 Ways to Engage Your Teen in 2021. Follow us on Facebook to join in as MADD launches 21 creative ways for parents to initiate connections and conversations with their kids through activities that both parties will enjoy.

Calendar

March 31- 12-1pm

Intro to MADD / Mini Volunteer Orientation – via zoom

To register contact cristi.cousins@madd.org, registration ends March 30 at 5pm.

April 13 - 6pm

MidAtlantic Victim Support Group via Zoom - contact robin.stimpson@madd.org

April 16 – 12 - 1pm

Intro to MADD / Mini Volunteer Orientation – via zoom

To register contact cristi.cousins@madd.org

April 18 - 5pm

MADD MidAtlantic Virtual Candlelight Vigil in Honor of National Crime Victims Rights Week

To ensure you receive an invitation with access information, please send your mailing address to robin.stimpson@madd.org
If you would like your or your loved ones picture to be shown during the vigil, send an electronic copy to cristi.cousins@madd.org. Deadline for pictures, April 5.

April 29 – 6pm

Intro to MADD / Mini Volunteer Orientation – via zoom

To register contact cristi.cousins@madd.org, registration ends March 30 at 5pm

These sessions will be offered again in April

RESCHEDULED from May 15 to Sept.18 - Walk Like MADD Virginia

May 22 - Walk Like MADD Loudoun

Impaired Driving Stories in the News

3/17/21 Kenneth David Kirk, 37, Northumberland County

3/15/21 Charles Xavier Sturkey, 31, City of Virginia Beach

3/13/21 William Frederick Clary, 52, Brunswick County

3/4/21 Luke Scott Gray, 30, Bedford County

2/9/21 Paul Mozley, 68, City of Norfolk

2/7/21 Jacob Dunaway, 28, Richmond County

Did You know that there is a victim support library available on MADD’s website? You can print copies of any of our excellent victim support publications in English or Spanish. #NoMoreVictims