Jessica Della Valla

According to Jessica Dellavalla, Executive Director, "United Way has been wonderful for us.

Executive Director: Jessica DellaValla, JD

'We expected around 300 guests, but were prepared for 600,' said Jessica DellaValla, Dial Help's executive director.She said she was for the generosity of community members who supported Dial Help by way of their attendance.
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DellaValla added, 'We also couldn't have done it without our generous sponsors: the Copper Country Veterinary Clinic, Hal Rudnianin and The Institute of Natural Therapies, Steve Zutter, the Michigan Tech Employees Federal Credit Union, Superior National Bank, and Superior Graphics, so to each of them, a resounding thank you!'
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When asked what would be next for Dial Help, DellaValla quickly responded that the Mexican Dinner was only the kick-off for what Dial Help hopes will be a banner year for the organization.

'It's sort of like a mini carnival,' Jessica Della Valla, executive director for Dial Help, said. 'It's a way for people to have a little fun in the middle of winter.'
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Dial Help's Executive Director Jessica Della Valla, center, stands outside the Houghton Dial Help with victim services coordinator Denise Sosnoski, left and prevention education specialist Barry Fink, right.

'It's pretty impressive what our volunteers do for the community,' Jessica Della Valla, executive director of Dial Help, said. 'They have to give up a lot of freedom.'

Formerly working in Philadelphia as an assistant prosecuting attorney for the past four years, Jessica Della Valla moved to the Houghton area in September for work on behalf of her husband Joseph's internist position with Portage Health System, where he is practicing adult, non-surgical medicine.

,Earlier this year when Joe signed his contract I started looking for teaching positions and was fortunate to receive one with Michigan Tech University,, she said. ,It was there that I heard about an open position at Dial Help.,

Aside from being an adjunct instructor for Michigan Tech, where she teaches three law-related courses, Jessica has been working part-time as Dial Help's new executive director for the past month.

,The staff here is very happy and excited by her energy.
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According to Jessica, she has two goals for Dial Help with the upcoming year.

,The first is to increase awareness of our services in the community in order for more people to understand what Dial Help provides,, she said. ,It is also important for the community to understand how needed we are.
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Working to make a difference isn't anything new for Jessica.She has been actively involved as an Americorps VISTA volunteer, the co-founder of a Sexual Assault Response Team at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania, has administrative experience with non-profit organizations involving at-risk-youth and has served as an administrative assistant for academic advising, among others.

Her interest in helping others continues with her position at Dial Help.

,I feel very fortunate for getting to work here, where we provide a 24-hour crisis center for the Upper Peninsula,, she said. ,Last year alone, we received 25,000 calls and you have to wonder if that person didn't call us, what would have happened to them.

,That's why it's so important the community is aware of what we do,, she said.

Executive Director: Jessica Della Valla

JESSICA DELLAVALLA

executive director

Dial Help Inc.