Kendra Thermezi

I'm a victim advocate, future educator, mentor, and community leader who currently works in the DV unit, helping survivors navigate difficult situations while also pursuing my degree in elementary education. I've been a victim advocate for 2 years and have worked in domestic violence with the state of Florida since 2020. I worked in education since I was 19, took a break to work in the medical profession in pediatrics for 8 years, but then returned to advocacy work. My key responsibility is seeing people grow through difficult situations by helping them navigate the beginning stages of dealing with domestic violence, getting them the resources they need through victim services and relocation, counseling, and therapy. I've learned that sometimes just having one person believe in you or support you can be a changeable aspect of everything, and that's the kind of impact I try to have in both my advocacy and in education. I serve as secretary of the Domestic Violence Task Force in Orlando, Florida, and previously ran my own nonprofit mentorship program at Markham Woods Middle School in Seminole County, Florida, where I worked with up to 35 young ladies using stepping to motivate them and help them become better human beings.