HOLIDAY CLOSURE
CARE will be closed Friday, December 23, through Monday, January 2, 2023, during the university's holiday closedown. If you're in crisis, please call 402.472.7450 and follow the prompts for immediate assistance (24/7).
Our Mission
The Center for Advocacy, Response & Education (CARE) believes in the strength and resilience of individuals and communities impacted by sexual/relationship violence. Our focus is supporting survivors and offering educational opportunities for the campus community. We offer a safe, inclusive, survivor-centered space while providing confidential support focused on individual needs and concerns.
Our Vision
We envision a campus where:
- Sexual assault, relationship violence, stalking, and sexual harassment is not accepted.
- Victims and Survivors receive the advocacy, compassion, and support they deserve.
- Our campus community challenges the practices and policies of our institution regarding sexual and relationship misconduct.
- Education surrounding sexual and relationship violence is a part of every Huskers’ experience.
- The campus community is trained in how to support survivors with empathy and compassion as well as provided available resources and referrals.
- Prevention is everyone’s responsibility.
Meet the Team
Melissa Wilkerson
Director, Advocate | she/her
My passion for working with survivors began in 1993 when I first started volunteering with a service that assisted victims of domestic violence. My first professional position as an advocate was in 2001 in the Denver area at the District Attorney’s Office where I worked until 2014. I’ve been with the university as an advocate since 2018 and feel incredibly fortunate to work on this campus supporting survivors and working to help create a safer campus community. Outside of my work on campus, I stay busy with my family and our goldendoodle, Mavis. I love to spend time outside and enjoy gardening as my favorite self-care activity. I’m a huge college basketball fan and believe that March Madness is the most wonderful time of the year.
Jenessa Jarvis
Survivor Support Advocate | she/her
I’m originally from Arizona, but first moved to Nebraska to attend Concordia University, where I played softball and earned my Bachelor’s in psychology, behavioral science and criminal justice. My work in advocacy began when I served as a CASA advocate. Additionally, I completed an internship with the Lincoln Police Department in their Special Victims Unit. After graduation, I worked at the Pima County Attorney’s Office as a victim advocate, supporting victims of crime through both crisis response and throughout the court process. I returned to Nebraska to join the CARE team as a Survivor Support Advocate in 2022. I am grateful to have the opportunity to work with and provide a space for survivors who are not only navigating a difficult path, but also emerging into adulthood.
Outside of my professional life, I am an aunt to my three young nephews, I help coach college softball, and like to workout & stay active. For self-care, I enjoy walking my dog and doing yoga. Two of my absolute favorite things to do are travel and go on lake/camping trips with my friends!
Meredith Cain
Administrative Coordinator | she/her
I am a double UNL alumna, as I received my bachelor's degree in Women’s/Gender Studies in 2015, and my master’s in Child, Youth and Family Studies with a specialization in International Family Studies in 2020. My background includes a variety of roles supporting people, including working at a substance abuse treatment center for women, psychotherapy clinics, a national research project on early childhood, and in community outreach at a local mentoring program. As the administrative coordinator, I keep the CARE team organized and assist in various areas such as data analytics, communications and intake processes. In my free time, I stay busy with home DIY projects, reading, thrifting, traveling and playing with my dogs Pearl and Olive.
Abbey Ragain
Prevention Program Coordinator | she/her
I am passionate about empowering individuals to get involved with creating positive social change and providing education that is essential for individuals and communities to thrive. I find inspiration in community and get so excited about young people working to make our world a better, more inclusive place- I am incredibly excited to get to work with our amazing, change-making Undergraduate Peer Educators.
Before joining the CARE Team, I coordinated the Suicide Prevention Program at UNL. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from the University of Kansas where I spent time examining the margins that limit the personal and political wellbeing of individuals and communities through research and outreach activities. I also spent hours in the dance studio, acquiring a minor in dance and performing with The University Dance Company.
Outside of the office I can be found in front of live music, shopping for groovy, vintage clothes, collecting vinyl records of all my favorite albums, and enjoying time with sweet friends and family.
Katie Bogen
Clinical Psychology Graduate Assistant – Violence Intervention for Survivors of Trauma and Abuse (VISTA) Lab | she/her
I have worked closely with trauma survivors - including folks who have experienced sexual and dating violence, stalking, hate crimes, trafficking, and harassment - since 2015. In my previous role, I facilitated violence prevention programming across 35+ middle and high schools in New England. I was trained as an advocate for survivors of identity-based violence in Rhode Island before coming to UNL to begin my PhD in Clinical Psychology. My research and clinical work dovetails violence prevention and human sexuality - I hope to empower trauma survivors to live joyful, consensual, and fully-embodied intimate lives. Through the Trauma Recovery Clinic (TRC), I provide evidence-based interventions like Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure to individuals experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or related symptoms. It is my privilege to work as a TRC therapist, and to join the CARE team this year. I am a passionate social justice advocate focused on celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community, combating antisemitism, and participating in anti-racist action. Bright spots in my life are: my two cats (Abra and Eevee); caffeine; Buffy the Vampire Slayer; the city of Providence, Rhode Island; yoga at Holmes Lake; classical vocal training; my glittering queer community; and my raucous Jewish family.
Harper Jones
Clinical Psychology Graduate Student Therapist | she/her
While originally from Kentucky, I completed my bachelor’s degree majoring in both Biology and Psychology at the College of Wooster in Ohio. Post-graduation, I worked as a researcher and interventionist at the Center for Trauma and Children, contributing to research surrounding secondary traumatic stress and childhood trauma.
At UNL, I am working towards my PhD in Clinical Psychology with a focus on the intersection between sexual functioning, sexual trauma, and resiliency. I’ve worked as a therapist in the Trauma Recovery Clinic since 2022, focusing on providing evidence-based interventions such as Cognitive Processing Therapy and Prolonged Exposure to individuals experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related symptoms following sexual assault and other traumatic experiences.
Outside of school and work, I am shamelessly obsessed with my two dogs and spending time outside gardening, hiking, walking around the lake. I also find solace in rock climbing, cross stitching, and adventuring at local stores and farmers markets.