Listen. Believe.
Support.
This is what we do.
This is who we are.
Safety is a human right, and every
person deserves to live free from
domestic violence.
Alianza assists, supports, and empowers those whose lives are affected by battering and abuse. We believe that victims and survivors of domestic violence deserve respect and can make their own choices. Our staff — whom we call advocates — offers a high level of emotional support for independent decision-making.
What We Do
We empower survivors of domestic violence to stay safe and achieve greater independence.
We do this by helping with logistics such as safe housing, food, clothing, medical support, court orders, legal help, therapy, and childcare — practical things survivors need to flourish.
But we also provide things that aren’t as visible.
We provide emotional support, empathy, and the space for survivors to tell their story.
Our staff — whom we call advocates — are allies.
They stand side by side with participants.
Many of our advocates are intimately familiar with the cycle of abuse.
They have either survived domestic violence or know someone who has. In many cases, both.
Our advocates work as a team.
They represent a diverse array of cultures and backgrounds and they all share one belief: that everyone has the right to live without fear of abuse.
All of our advocates are relentlessly positive.
They invested in treating all participants like equals.
No matter how a survivor finds us or where they are in the cycle of abuse, our number one goal is to make sure each survivor is believed and supported.
Bilingual/bicultural services available.
Our advocates speak English, Spanish and Russian.
We see you.
We hear you.
We believe you.
Our services are free and confidential.
Administrative Staff
Carmen Nieves
Executive Director
Carmen Nieves has held numerous key roles within Alianza (formerly Womanshelter /Compañeras) and became Executive Director after serving as a program leader for more than 20 years. She brings a wealth of experience in domestic violence services, innovative models for program development, and community education and collaboration. Recognized in Holyoke, and across the state of Massachusetts as a champion for survivors of domestic violence, Carmen has served on numerous domestic violence advisory committees and is well-known as a bilingual domestic/intimate partner violence trainer.
Pamela Barnes
Deputy Director
Margie A. Quinones-Ortiz
Executive Office Manager/HR Support
Ivette Hernandez
Director of Residential Services
Emily Skoczylas
Outreach & Education Coordinator
Jocelyn Martinez
Director of Programming and Services
Drew Warner
Grants Compliance Manager
Tamicha Colon
Director of Housing
Elsa Bonilla
Development Manager
Karen Boyle Cavanaugh
Executive Director (1999-2018)
In Remembrance
Our Board of Directors
Denise Duguay
President
Alan Fletcher
Jess Hernandez
Darlene Elias
Treasurer
Dana Dyer Hines
Alyssa Lunghi
Maria Galano, PhD
Clerk
Rev. Charlotte LaForest
Donna Toupin
John Marx
Vice President
Alianza is currently seeking candidates for its Board of Directors! Our Board members are essential to the health and success of our programs and services. Learn more and fill out a Board application here.
Alianza is grateful for generous support from the Department of Public Health, Massachusetts Office for Victim Assistance (MOVA), Holyoke and Chicopee Community Development offices, City of Springfield Continuum of Care program, and the Diocese of Springfield. Alianza’s programs and services are partially supported by a Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) grant from the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. Additional support comes from the Massachusetts Bar Foundation, the Carlos Vega Fund for Social Justice & Community Service, and area businesses and individuals who Alianza on behalf of domestic violence survivors.
We also extend our thanks to the many foundations, corporations, and individuals who support us in our work on behalf of domestic violence survivors.