Margaret Schimming joined NCVLI in January of 2018 as an Administrative Assistant.

What one thing has surprised you or have you learned about victims’ rights since you started at NCVLI?
When I was researching and learning about the work that NCVLI does during my interview process, what surprised me the most was the fact that the rights of crime victims are not consistent from state to state. Honestly, it was not something I had thought of needing an advocate. I was coming from nonprofit health care that worked with university students, children, and families who all had an established support system. This realization put into perspective how victims of crimes are ignored and how their needs are not being met by our current systems. Seeing the work that NCVLI had done in the past, and continues to do, made this more than just another job for me.

As an organization what is NCVLI’s greatest strength?
I think one of the strengths of NCVLI is the staff. Each one, in either an organizational role or one of our staff attorneys, is dedicated to producing the best quality work to promote the mission and goals of NCVLI. Without them conducting trainings and reaching out to create new networks, we would not be able to cultivate such a successful group of attorneys, advocates, and community members to help crime victims.

What are your hobbies?
My list of hobbies could go on forever if I included every single attempt and some new form of art. Therefore, I will only include the activities that I do on a more regular basis, which are, fishing, hiking, mixed media watercolor (yes, I made that up), and attempting to get through an entire game of Pokemon Blue on my old Gameboy.

What has been the most rewarding thing you have done in your personal life?
The most rewarding thing that I accomplished in my personal life was to, temporarily, fight through my fear of heights and go to the top of one of the towers of La Sagrada Família in Barcelona, Spain. The views were spectacular and the walk down the tower was intensely satisfying. I have avoided heights like that since, but it is something I will always remember.