Victims' Impact Panel

About Us

Mission Statement

The basic mission of the Victim’s Impact Panel of Oklahoma, Inc., is: to prevent young people from making dangerous choices; to reform offenders through awareness; and to promote healing in the panelists who participate.

. . . drunk driving awareness, prevention, and healing . . .

Victims’ Impact Panel Of Oklahoma, Inc. (VIP)

What is VIP?

The Victims’ Impact Panel of Oklahoma, Inc., (VIP) is a powerful program aimed at combating drunk driving. This program offers a unique perspective to the drinking driver, presenting in a very personal way the far-reaching effects of the choice to drink and drive.

Through panel presentations, the audience experiences the impact of drunk driving through the eyes of:

A victim: “The good news was that our daughter was killed instantly.”

A rescue professional: “It’s the faces of the children killed by drunk drivers that you never forget.”

An offender: “Not a day goes by that I don’t think about the lady I killed. And it was all because I chose to drive after drinking.”

Why VIP?

Drinking and driving is taking innocent lives and leaving behind loved ones who must forever grieve their losses. This is happening in epidemic proportions, statewide and nationwide. It is the number one killer of our young people. But unlike other fatal epidemics, drinking and driving has a cure. We don’t need research to find the answer. The answer is found in those who are forever changed because of someone’s decision to drive after drinking.

Who Attends VIP?

DUI Offenders

Under order of the courts, the DUI offender is presented with the direct results of his/her choice to drink and drive. At the time of sentencing, the offender is assigned to a local program. They are expected to attend on that date and will only be allowed to reschedule in case of an emergency. VIP is statewide so every court has access to a program.

Reaching our Youth

The Victims’ Impact Panel of Oklahoma, Inc., is proud to boast that it has been presenting programs in the Oklahoma schools since 1989. Many schools have the program every year for their students.

Some schools have all-school assemblies and some choose certain grades to participate. A typical program is presented for 8th – 12th graders in an assembly setting. Programs have been presented to groups as small as 30 and as large as 2,000.

VIP feels the young people are the most important audience to reach. The influence this program can have on young people at a time in their lives when they are still impressionable can have a significant effect on the incidence of drunk driving, thereby saving lives.

Civic Group Presentations

VIP is happy to make presentations to civic groups at no charge. The program can be a brief presentation or a full program. Contact the main office at (405) 216-9556 to schedule.

Does VIP work?

Data was provided to the OSCN (Oklahoma Supreme Court Network) and research done which concluded that in the major counties in Oklahoma where VIP is offered, there was an 84 percent success rate since the year 2000. This means that 84 percent of the offenders who attended a VIP have not been re-arrested for DUI.

Ask the DUI offenders…

“The moving stories of the people on the panel have caused me to re-evaluate my own behavior and to realize that receiving the DUI was a far luckier event than I thought.”

“I felt compassion for the panelists. They gripped my heart and made me think about the alternatives I have to drinking and driving. I was sad for all of the painful energy that was flowing around only three people.”

“I felt very sorry for the panel members and at the same time thankful that they had the courage to share their experience in order to make a difference in someone else’s life. I believe they helped me.”

Ask the schools…

“Thanks for relating so well with us. I’m sure all of these loved ones you’ve lost are proud. Thanks again, and never give up. You’ve just touched a lot of lives . . . and who knows, maybe just saved one.” – a student

“I got wonderful comments from students and teachers. This is the most effective program I have found.” – high school administrator

“This was the greatest program on kids drinking and driving I have seen in 16 years of education.” – high school administrator

VIP Board of Directors

Victims’ Impact Panel of Oklahoma, Inc., is governed by a dedicated board of directors. The board meets quarterly to discuss the business of the non-profit, to oversee financials, and to set worthy goals for the program. Officers are elected annually and board members can serve two three-year terms.

2010 Victims’ Impact Panel of Oklahoma, Inc., Board of Directors

Executive Director

Janella Tears

Chairman

Greg Giltner

Treasurer

Russ Higbie

Board Members

April Collins
Karen Cunningham
Tim Henderson
Richard Mann
Luke Munson
Candy Sebert
Zack Smith
Kelli Stacy

Secretary to the Board

Jenny Fowler

VIP Staff

The headquarters for Victims’ Impact Panel of Oklahoma, Inc., is located in Edmond, Oklahoma, where the executive director and victim advocate office. There are six regional offices located in Tulsa, Elk City, Ada, Atoka, and Choctaw.

Victim Advocate

At Victims’ Impact Panel of Oklahoma, Inc., we have witnessed over 20 years of the devastating pain and sorrow that comes from the loss of a loved one due to someone’s choice to drive under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. For that reason, we want to offer our services to you. These services include: emotional support, assistance understanding the court process, grief support, and referrals.

Please contact our Victim Advocate, Jenny Fowler, at:

(405) 216-9556
jennyfowlervip@coxinet.net

VIP Newsletter

Subscribe to our VIP newsletter, download a PDF, or simply call!

(405) 216-9556

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