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A graduate of Marquette University and the University of Wisconsin Law School, Nichelle Mitchem has built a career around assisting others.
For almost a decade, Nichelle Mitchem has served as an executive director of nonprofit organizations providing comprehensive programs and services for families in need. As a result, Nichelle Mitchem has significant experience in setting and achieving both short as well as long- range operational, programmatic and budgetary goals. One of her primary responsibilities is to enhance the organization’s health and viability in order to ensure that the agency has the capacity to actualize its mission.
While serving as an administrator of nonprofit agencies, Nichelle Mitchem has engaged in operational and strategic planning which has set forth the requisite framework for continued growth and development. For much of her professional career, Nichelle Mitchem has worked for nonprofit organizations dedicated to ensuring that families in crisis have access to very necessary supportive services required to improve the quality of their lives. These organizations promote client empowerment and provide comprehensive and holistic programs and services for vulnerable families. Her professional history includes extensive experience in program development, implementation, administration and evaluation.
Through the enhancement of internal programs and the coordination of services with external service providers, Nichelle Mitchem has sought to create a comprehensive service delivery model for clients. As a senior staff member, Nichelle Mitchem has launched program evaluation initiatives designed to ensure that agency programs and services are continuing to effectively meet the changing needs of clients and the agency’s mission, goals and objectives.
As the executive director, one of her primary responsibilities has been to raise both the visibility and accessibility of the agency to the public. Working in collaboration with the board and staff, Nichelle Mitchem has been involved in public relations and marketing campaigns that have served to heighten organizational presence in the larger community. In recognition of the importance of a coordinated community response to social problems encountered by low and moderate income persons, Nichelle Mitchem has built and maintained enduring strategic relationships with social service providers, government entities and other organizations in the community to ensure the availability of a comprehensive and compassionate internal as well as external continuum of care for clients.
Nichelle Mitchem has spoken at national and regional events on numerous topics concerning family welfare. Nichelle Mitchem’s presentations include “Foster Care Versus Adoption, Custody, and Guardianship by Relative Caregivers,” which she gave at the Annual Adoption Conference in Los Angeles, California, and “Domestic Violence Intervention and Prevention,” presented at the Breaking the Silence Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
A published author, Nichelle Mitchem has contributed research to several leading periodicals. Nichelle Mitchem’s articles include “Legal Needs Assessment for the Aged,” which appeared in BIFOCAL from the American Bar Association’s Commission on Law and Aging, as well as “Elderly Legal Needs Assessment,” which appeared in AGING Magazine, published by the Administration on Aging within the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
Dedicated to serving disenfranchised persons, Nichelle Mitchem has held several leadership positions for a number of local, statewide, and national nonprofit organizations. Nichelle Mitchem has served on the Board of Directors for organization’s in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Georgia.
Nichelle Mitchem has appeared widely on television as well as radio and has been quoted in print media on varying public health topics such as HIV/AIDS, domestic violence, kinship care, crimes against women, and others.
Ms. Mitchem has appeared on television or has been interviewed by printed publications including but not limited to: Fox News, WSB-TV, Pacifica, New York Times, Washington Times, Washingtonian Magazine, Heart and Soul Magazine, Washington Lawyer, Street Sense, Corpus Christi Caller, Augusta Chronicle, and the book Crimes Against Women.
Nichelle Mitchem received a Bachelor of Arts in History from Marquette University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Wisconsin Law School.
Nichelle Mitchem's Schools
Nichelle Mitchem's Companies
Nichelle Mitchem's Publications
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Domestic Violence and its Health Issues, Nichelle Mitchem
August, 2010
Domestic violence poses a clear and present danger to the health and well-being of countless persons. For far too many persons, violence and danger are their constant companions. Yet, domestic violence is a subject that we, as a society, are reluctant to talk about. As a result, victims often suffer and sometimes die in silence. It is important to know: what constitutes domestic violence, available resources, and methods to eradicate this pressing public health issue.
What constitutes abuse? Abuse comes in several forms and while some define abuse as a physical attack, it can also be emotional, financial, or sexual. Physically abusive behavior can escalate quickly and have lethal consequences. Emotional abuse is considered a psychological or mental attack on another, including name-calling, destructive criticism, harassment, isolation, intimidation, or humiliation. These emotionally destructive behaviors by the abusive partner can be detrimental to the victim’s mental well-being both in the short-term and long-term without counseling. Emotionally abusive relationships can destroy the victim’s self-worth, lead to anxiety and depression, and make the victim feel helpless and alone. No one should have to endure this kind of pain—and the first step to breaking free is recognizing that the relationship is abusive.
Are there other forms of domestic violence? Other forms of domestic violence include but are not limited to financial and sexual abuse. Financial abuse, also known as economic abuse, results from one partner’s attempts to gain and maintain control over their partner’s finances. Taking many forms, financial abuse includes disallowing a partner from obtaining a job, purposely hurting a partner’s credit, limiting access to funds, and demanding that a partner ask for money for every expense. Sexual abuse results from one partner forcing his or her will on the other, often causing physical and psychological harm in the process. When a partner is afraid to say no, he or she suffers from abuse. Once the victim acknowledges the reality of the abusive situation, then she or he can get the much needed help.
Is this an exhaustive list of the forms of domestic violence? Although lengthy, the aforementioned categories of domestic violence do not encompass all forms abuse. Stalking is another form of emotional abuse. With the rise of technology, many abuse their partner by stalking them with the aid of cell phones, computers, and the Internet, or using technology to monitor a partner’s activity. Research indicates that this type of abuse is especially common among teenagers and young adults. The immigration status of the victim can also afford the abusive partner an opportunity to control the victim. When the abusive partner, often a spouse, holds control over the victim’s immigration papers, threatens to call immigration authorities, or refuses to let his or her partner learn English, this behavior constitutes abuse. More than ever before, society should take all forms of domestic violence seriously, paying special attention to non-traditional forms of abusive behavior which all too often go overlooked.
How can you help? There are several ways that you can help a person in an abusive relationship. First, you must be a patient and non-judgmental listener. Respect your friend or family member’s decisions. There are many reasons why victims stay in abusive relationships. Secondly, you can encourage him or her to talk to people who can provide help and guidance. Assist your friend in locating a local domestic violence agency that provides counseling. If the person elects to go to the police, court, or a lawyer, you can offer to accompany her or him for moral support. It is important to be mindful that you cannot rescue the person being abused. Although it is difficult to see someone you care about being hurt only the abused person can decide when to take the requisite steps to secure a life free from the violence and turmoil which occurs in an abusive relationship.
The pervasive problem of domestic violence takes everyone to make it stop. If you suspect that someone you know is being abused, keep in mind that expressing your concern for their health and well-being will let the person know that you care and may even save her or his life.
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“Elderly Legal Needs Assessment” , AGING Magazine
May, 1990
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Legal Needs Assessment for the Aged, BIFOCAL
April, 1989
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Nichelle Mitchem's Presentations
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Effective Strategies for Handling Crisis in a Crisis Laden Environment, Annual Family Violence Conference
April, 1999
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Violence Against Women--The Legal Aspects, Women and The Law Conference
September, 1999
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Protocols for Health Care Providers in Domestic Violence Intervention & Prevention, Breaking The Silence Conference
August, 2000
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An Innovative Comprehensive and Holistic Service Delivery Model for Children Resident in Grandparent-Headed Families, Annual Kinship Care Conference, Child Welfare League of America, Philadelphia, PA
July, 2003
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Providing Comprehensive Services to Intergenerational Families: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren’, AARP Grandparent Information Center Annual National Meeting
September, 2003
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Legal Service Needs for Intergenerational Families: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren, Fourth Annual Aging and Law Conference
September, 2003
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Best Practices in Service Provision for Intergenerational Kinship Care Families, Annual Kinship Care Conference
September, 2010
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An Innovative and Comprehensive Service Delivery Model: Intergenerational Kinship Care Families, Georgia Juvenile Court Judges Conference
May, 2004
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“Foster Care versus Adoption, Custody, and Guardianship by Relative Caregivers”, Annual Adoption Conference: All in the Family—Achieving Excellence in Adoption,
March, 2004
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“The Hidden Victims: Ramifications of Domestic Violence on Children”, Second Chance for Children: Embracing the Future
May, 2005
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