Melinda M is the first person in her family to graduate from college, earning her criminal justice degree with honors. She has worked as a correctional officer at Minnesota’s only women’s prison. Melinda is also a domestic violence survivor. These experiences have armed her with considerable interpersonal skills that support her role as a 360 Communities advocate.

Marcelino

For Melinda, surviving domestic violence came with a price: her young adult son, Marcelino. He witnessed his mother’s abuse as a young child and the instability that came along with it. Unfortunately, in 2021, he died of a drug overdose, something Melinda attributes to him self-medicating the symptoms of trauma and not being able to access needed resources, all a part of the cycle of domestic violence.

Two years later, this tragedy remains a devastating daily reminder of the ripple effect domestic violence has on families and communities. Melinda says she needed to find a positive channel for her pain. “I can either continue to lay in the corner and cry about it — I miss my son. That’s never going to change,” she says. “Or I could get up and honor his memory by helping women in similar situations.”

Giving hope: a 360 Communities career

Melinda M first connected with 360 Communities when she visited the Rosemount Resource Center for help paying a utility bill her abuser left her. She received the support she needed and much more — a connection to an organization that would support her vocational calling. 360 Communities hired her more than a year ago as a community advocate, working out of the Lakeville and Farmington police departments, providing critical support to victims of domestic and sexual violence.

Working with empathy

Melinda finds her work incredibly gratifying because, as a survivor herself, she can serve victims with empathy. “I don’t see a survivor as ‘less than’ or a statistic, and I don’t pity them,” she says. “I try to empower them and remind them that they are not the person their abuser tells them they are. They are more than that and they can overcome this.” She tells them, ‘You might feel overwhelmed right now, but you can do it.’” She always thanks them for allowing her to be a part of their journey. Melinda’s transition from a survivor to a dedicated advocate is a profound 360 Communities story. She knows the complex journey of survival and recovery and understands that some wounds will never fully heal. She is committed to making a meaningful impact in the lives of other survivors, which is a testament to her character and a tribute to her son. “Marcelino Forever 23,” she says.