D.O.V.E.S. has served Natchitoches Parish since 1998. Our agency belongs to National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Our program is in compliance with the Governors Office on Women's Policies Quality Assurance Core Standards. Employees receive 40 hours core standards training and 20 hours continuing education in crisis intervention work.

Agency Staff

Melody Minturn
Executive Director

Caroline Gutierrez Abreu
Program Coordinator

Hylan Wells
Office Manager

Dodie Knight
Family/Legal Advocate

Tequila Johnson
Children/Outreach Advocate

Michelle Sowell, Sarah Ruth Poree', Billie Davidson
Evening, Night & Weekend Shelter Aides

Board of Directors

Sandra McCullen, Acting President
Patrick G. Jones, Treasurer
Jan Harrington
Mary Jones
Rev. Catherine M. Thompson
Carolyn Breedlove
Joanna Allison
Tony Davis
Tony Gustwick
Mary Ann Nunley
Kirk Cordell
David Scott Kendrick
Calvin McFerrin
Julie A. Brewton


Advisory Council

Kent & Renee Gresham
David West
Pamela Dove-Frame
Dr. William Housel
Barbara Leach
Greg Downs
Richard & Edwina Westrop
Stephanie Masson
Laquita Harris
Carla Ebarb
David & Melinda Zolzer
Denise Fontenot
Dr. Roland Pippin
Richard Pool
Siggie Silvie
Darla Webb
Sharonda Demars
Dr. Mark Melder

Ad Hoc Advisory Council Members:

Allyson Dollar
Sheriff Victor Jones
Melissa Robinson
Kathy Davenport


Cooperative Service Partners

1. The 10th Judicial D.A.'s Office
2. Women's Resource Center
3. NRMC Emergency Room
4. NRMC Cafeteria
5. Natchitoches Women's Care: Dr. Martin Aviles, OB/GYN
6. Natchitoches Mental Health Clinic
7. Legal Services of Northwest Louisiana
8. Natchitoches Clerk of Court's Office
9. LA Works Department of Labor, Natchitoches Job Center
10. NCHS Health & Wellness Based Program
11. Natchitoches City Housing Authority
12. Natchitoches Parish Housing Authority
13. Project Celebration: Taylor House
14. Project Celebration: Toledo Bend Sexual Assault Center
15. Project Celebration: Family Counseling Center
16. Natchitoches Addictive Disorders Clinic
17. Heart After God Ministries
18. YWCA of Northwest LA
19. Cane River Children's Services
20. CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates)
21. Robin Miley, LPC
22. State of LA Head Start
23. Business & Professional Women's Club (BPW)
24. Office of Family Services (OFS)
25. Office of Community Services
26. OCS - RSVP (Retired Volunteers)
27. Natchitoches Detention Center
28. Dyess Law Firm
29. The Family Doctor; Dr. John Hogg
30. NSULA Sociology Department
31. For His Glory Ministries
32. Merchandise Collection Services
33. Dr. Catherine Hansen, PhD
34. LSMSA Infirmary
35. Louis Lowrey, LMFT
36. River Community Church
37. NSULA Campus Infirmary
38. Ward Law Office
39. Christ the King Lutheran Church
40. City of Natchitoches Mayor's Office
41. Natchitoches City Police Department
42. Natchitoches Parish Sheriff's Office
43. Hannah's House
44. Red River DV Task Force
45. Natchitoches Educational Center
46. Christus Coushatta Rural Health Clinic
47. Discovery Works
48. Metropolitan Circles (MST)
49. LA Technical College
50. Natchitoches Outpatient Clinic
51. Dr. Jerry Ferguson, DDS
52. Natchitoches Council on Aging
53. Phyllis Stroud, Mary Kay Cosmetics
54. Mark Bill's Photography
55. Next Step
56. The Hampton Inn
57. Wheelwright Inn B&B
58. Heaven's Blessings, Inc.
59. Old Natchitoches Parish Magazine
60. Louisiana Folklife Center
61. Holy Cross Catholic Church
62. First Baptist Church
63. Westside Baptist Church
64. First United Methodist Church
65. The Wesley Foundation, NSU Campus Ministry
66. Trinity Episcopal Church
67. Christ the King Lutheran Church
68. Natchitoches STEP Job Readiness
69. Empowering People With Purpose, Inc.
70. Regine "Ray" Bell (KARATE, nonprofit)

Peace Partners ($5000 Level)

Alliance Compressors
Merchandise Collection Services
Retail Merchant Services

Peace Pillars ($1000 Level)

Cane River Charities
J.V. Doherty Construction
Park Avenue Thrift
Peoples State Bank
Trinity Episcopal Church

Peace Keepers ($500 Level)

Adams Insurance
ArkLaTex Irrigation Systems, LLC
Charity Clothing
Chief Solutions, Inc.
CP-Tel
Edward Boyce
Family Thrift
Hanley Gremillion Millwork & Supply
Holy Cross Catholic Church
JHT Properties
Meadows, Collier, Reed, Cousins, LLP
Mr. & Mrs. McLees
Natchitoches-Winnfield Nursing & Rehab Center
Natchitoches Regional Medical Center
Paul's Plumbing & Heating
Roger Garcia
Ronald & Linda Turboff
Steven & Kathy Peltier

Peace Protectors ($300 Level)

Bynog's Tree Service
Cane River Electric
La Capital Federal Credit Union
Ridgeways
Servipac, Mr. David Rodriguez

Peace Makers ($200 Level)

Bank of Montgomery, Ben Wilson, City Bank & Trust Co., City of Natchitoches, Cunningham Insurance Agency, David & Cheryl Makatura, David & Shirley Walker, Family Eye Care, Frame Agency, Frank & Jane Fuller, First Presbyterian Church, First Federal Savings & Loan, Henry Cook Taylor, Immaculate Conception, Jackson Automotive, LLC, Julie Gardner, Kelly & Townsend, LLC, Lasyone's Meat Pie Kitchen, Lee & Evie Posey, Les Amis of Natchitoches, Mr. & Mrs. H. Cole Gahagan, NSU Foundation, Prothro Construction Company, Regional Construction Company, St. Anthony Catholic Church, Stine Lumber Co., Tobacco Warehouse, Van Kyzar, District Attorney