DAP: What is your name, your pronouns, and your role at DAP?
My name is Noureen Wallani, I use She/Her/Hers pronouns, and I am the Director of Programs at The Domestic Abuse Project.
DAP: What exactly do you do in your role as the Director of Programs, and what is your favorite part of your job?
My job means that I get to look at the way that we do this work. We look at participant services as being part of two different components: community and clinical. We believe that both parts are very important to do our work and fulfill our mission.
Our community programs really look at how we provide legal advocacy and case management, which includes doing coordinated entry screening that allows those who are fleeing domestic violence to access housing. We also have our First Call Line, which is our first point of contact that allows people to get services here but also allows them to call when they’re struggling and need help, to answer questions, to help them answer “what do I do next?”
We also have a legal clinic, which is the stop gap measure we have in the community where someone has not made that next step yet but wants to consult with an attorney to figure out best next steps or the ramifications of the choices that we make. We also include our trainings, and trainings are an important part of what we do, because we want to make sure that we’re also partnering with people to help everyone understand what domestic violence is, how to have healthy relationships, and how we can create change together.
We center the whole family. We believe that when we look at violence, we want everybody to get support, whether it’s the person who experienced the abuse, someone who witnessed or has been exposed to the abuse, or someone who’s actually used tactics of abuse. One of the things we find is that there is a story here, and that’s the story that we’re curious about.
My job is to make sure that the services we provide are best practice, and not just in a Western sense, but in a holistic sense... It’s my job to ensure that what we’re doing is working, that it’s effective. It’s also my job to make sure that what we’re doing always centers the needs of the people we serve and that we pivot as we need to. That means that we’re coming up with new ideas, getting creative when there are barriers, and we’re finding solutions.
Honestly, the biggest thing that brings me joy is being able to see us do this work in a way that continues to center the people that we serve with respect and dignity. To help people see that they have value, and that they have within themselves what it takes to be whole.
DAP: What can we usually find you doing outside of work?
So, for me, the work is hard, and it is a labor of love—the thing that gives this job a livability factor is the life that I built outside of this work; for me, my family and friends are really important. What brings me joy is knowing that the work that we do is about making sure that everyone gets to experience loved ones and joyful things.
My kids are a huge spot of joy for me, from their silliest antics to some of their sassy moments. The other day, my husband called me, and told me “oh my gosh, Aiden found a book of matches in my work box!” And I said, “Okay...?” and he said that Aiden had called them “fire sticks” and it was just cute. Aiden was so proud to tell me that he lit a match and a candle, and it was such an accomplishment for him (even though he burned himself). And my other daughter, who is very pragmatic, asked, “why would I do that? I’m just going to light it with the lighter, it’s easier.” But it’s fun to hear the stories that they come to, and it brings me joy to see what they do.
DAP: Marvel or DC? OR Who is your favorite character and why?
So, I’m definitely Marvel, but my husband really likes DC, but we both like both. I was into all the movies, but I actually read comic books when I grew up. X-Men was my favorite, and when I was growing up, I think the two characters I liked best, one was Jubilee, she was a younger character, and I also really liked Gambit, there was just something about him that I really enjoyed.
But I would say that now, if I were to choose, I would still choose Marvel, but I’m not really sure who I would choose as my favorite character. I think there’s something about The Scarlet Witch that I really like because she’s so flawed, and yet she’s so hopeful.
