About
CU Denver Center on Domestic Violence
The END Violence Project is a program within the Center on Domestic Violence. The Center is a part of the University of Colorado Denver in the School of Public Affairs. If you want to learn more about the Center, please visit our website.
About The END Violence Project
The END Violence Project (END Violence) was launched in January 2017. The goal of the Project is to create long lasting and systemic change in our school communities so that ALL children feel safe, welcome, and supported.
The END Violence Project is a youth-centered program that addresses relationship violence (e.g. domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking) with schools, students, families, and communities.
Schools participating in the END Violence Project develop the capacity to better work with students who experience trauma due to interpersonal violence.
Funded through the DOJ Crime Victims Services grant, END Violence is serving six schools in Denver County representing approximately 4,100 students and approximately 450 school administrators and staff.
Services include:
1. School Staff and Administration training workshops on Intimate Partner Violence, The Impact of Trauma on School Functioning, and Response to Students who Disclose Violence or Abuse.
2. Developing a multi-disciplinary school Response Team that enhances policies and protocols to address domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking,
3. Direct services to youth in the form of Psycho-education Intervention Groups, Support Groups, Individual Counseling, Crisis Response, Advocacy, and Referrals to community resources.
The END Violence Project Staff
Monica Bies, MSW, LCSW
Child and Youth Programs Manager
(she/her/hers)
Email: monica.bies@ucdenver.edu
Phone: 303-315-0243
Everyone remembers my last name because it is Bies. That is “Bies”, like in bumble “ bees”. BUT, you can just call me Monica! I’ve been a Licensed Social Worker….ohhhhh….for 27 years and I love working with students and in schools.
Most of my career I worked in Boston Public Schools providing individual, family, and group therapy services. I have been working in partnership with Denver Public Schools for 5 years as the Manager of the END Violence Project and have found my new home working in 6 middle and high schools across the city.
I believe that all people are entitled to safe and healthy relationships in their families, communities, and with romantic partners or crushes. And, I also know that we don’t make much space to talk about what that actually ‘looks like.’ We learn how to have relationships from media, observing people in our lives that may or may not have healthy dynamics, sometimes from bad experiences, and we are often left feeling unsure about whether we know how to have open, trusting, and communicative relationships. That is what we all deserve.
As an adult ally, my hope is to welcome you to have these conversations. Through our individual and group work with you, we can address past harms, explore what safe and healthy relationships look like for you, and learn from one another.
When not working, I enjoy my crazy dogs, being in the mountains, eating, and spending time with family and friends!
Marcia Batchelder MSW, LSW
END Violence Project Part-Time Therapist
(she/her/hers)
Email: marcia.batchelder@ucdenver.edu
Call/Text: 720-593-9204
I am excited to be working as a therapist with the END Violence Project and want to share a little bit about myself. After many years working in non-profit management and an incredible experience volunteering with incarcerated women, I decided to follow my passion and make a career shift to social work. I earned a Master of Social Work at Metropolitan State University since in May 2021.
My favorite people to work with are adolescents and young adults because they are genuine, curious and have interesting perspectives. I also think it is a developmental period when support can be incredibly beneficial. Outside of school I enjoy spending time with my family, being in the mountains, cooking and seeing friends.
Alicia Biggs
Youth Leadership Specialist
(she/her/hers)
Email: alicia.biggs@ucdenver.edu
Call/Text: 720-841-6640
Alicia has been an educator for 40 years and has an extensive background in Social Justice, Social Emotional Learning, Restorative Justice, and Early Childhood Education. She is currently a Youth Leadership Specialist with the Center on Domestic Violence. Alicia worked as the Chair of the Education Department at a few of the Universities in the Denver Metro area. She is also passionate about supporting families in her community by sharing resources they need to be successful.
In her roles as an Educator, Peer Evaluator, and Dean of Students, Alicia led district initiatives in Culturally Responsive Teaching and served as a leader and resource for new teachers, peers, and district leaders. Alicia holds a Master’s degree from the University of Denver in Educational Leadership, a Bachelor’s from Eastern Washington in Education and African American Studies, and an Associate’s degree from West Valley Community College in Early Education.
Interns
Jalia Garza
END Violence Project Intern
(she/her/hers)
Email: jalia.garza@ucdenver.edu
Call/Text: 720-515-7724
I am Jalia Garza, a current END Violence Intern. I have my Bachelor of Social Work from Georgia State University. I am currently getting my Master of Social Work at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Social justice-centered work is my passion, and I’m committed to making experiences for everyone more equitable. My experience varies from working with young children, adolescents, college students, and adults. It also varies between social justice training, education, advocacy, homelessness, and crisis intervention. I am excited to be a part of the END Violence team to support the students at John F. Kennedy. I value mental health services, and I look forward to the opportunity to serve students with a holistic approach by acknowledging their experiences in and out of school.
Mikaela Gershman
END Violence Project Intern
(she/her/hers)
Email: mikaela.gershman@ucdenver.edu
Call/Text: 720-432-2243
My name is Mikaela, and I am so excited to be part of the End Violence Project! I am a second year Master of Social Work student (MSW) with a background in interpersonal violence prevention and advocacy for both adults and children. I believe that everyone has a right to safe and healthy relationships, and I am passionate about creating spaces where people can access the support and education that makes this possible. I enjoy working with young adults because of their honesty, curiosity, and unique perspectives, and believe that they are instrumental in creating long-lasting, systemic change for generations to come. When I am not at work or in class, I enjoy bouldering, cooking for friends and family, and spending time with my housemates and our Bernese Mountain Dog.
Rachel Kirkpatrick
END Violence Project Intern
(she/her/hers)
Email: rkirkpa6@msudenver.edu
Call/Text: 970-680-1945
Rachel is a Master’s of Social Work Student at Metropolitan State University of Denver and will be interning at Northeast Early College High School. Her previous work has been largely youth-focused, including working as a postsecondary pathway mentor with the University of Washington Dream Project and as a Case Management Aide at the LifeWorks Emergency Youth Shelter. Rachel is committed to providing trauma-informed and strengths-based support services to the students at NECHS. In her free time, she loves getting outside in any capacity, enjoying some live music, reading, or practicing yoga in the park.
Ben Warner
END Violence Project Intern
(he/him/his)
Email: benjamin.warner@ucdenver.edu
Call/Text: 720-515-6766
Ben is currently pursuing his Master’s of Social Work at Metropolitan State University of Denver. He is interning at South High School as a school-based therapist. He has worked extensively with immigrant and refugee populations, both in the U.S. and abroad. He has studied Spanish for over 14 years and studied abroad in Argentina while in college. He has worked with immigrant populations as an ESL Instructor, a Case Manager, and an Employment Specialist. In 2018, he moved to Mexico City to work at a shelter for Central American migrants. This experience profoundly impacted Ben, and when he moved back to the U.S., he found a Navigator position at Mi Casa Resource Center in Denver. Ben has a strong interest in social justice and a passion for serving others, which led him to pursue further studies in social work.