We Welcome Tiffanie Askew with The Victim Rights Coordination Unit!
Bio:
Tiffanie served at the Ford County Attorney’s Office from November 2005 through June 2023, with a brief hiatus in 2010 during which she worked at the local child advocacy center and became a fully trained child forensic interviewer. Since her appointment as Victim/Witness Coordinator in April 2005, she has consistently worked with victims in various capacities.
Throughout her tenure, Tiffanie actively and progressively transformed the landscape of the Victim Services Unit in Ford County. Shortly after assuming her role, it became evident that additional resources and staffing were necessary. In 2009, the unit welcomed its first staff expansion. Around this time, services were extended into law enforcement agencies, enabling earlier access to resources and removing the requirement for filed charges with the prosecuting attorney’s office for victims to receive support.
In 2013, Tiffanie was promoted to Office Manager/Director of Victim Services, overseeing three grant-funded staff members and managing 24-hour on-call services for local law enforcement. She successfully secured funding to remodel an office within the Dodge City Police Department, allowing an advocate to be stationed there Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., to provide crisis intervention services. This initiative also established vertical advocacy from law enforcement through to prosecution.
Just prior to the pandemic, she added a fourth grant-funded position to expand services into four additional judicial district counties, offering prosecutor-based advocacy in rural jurisdictions. During this period, Tiffanie also managed both VOCA and VAWA grants, securing funding for a special prosecutor dedicated to cases involving domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. Under her leadership, the Victim Services Unit evolved to meet community needs, ensuring victims were heard and treated with dignity in a system not originally designed for them.
In April 2015, Tiffanie was recognized with the Kansas Attorney General Outstanding System-Based Advocate Award. She followed that up in April 2022 with recognition for the unit with the Kansas Attorney General Outstanding Victim Service Organization Award. Throughout the years, she has served on multiple board such as Kansas Organization for Victim Assistance, Governor’s Advisory Council on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault training, Kansas Academy of Victim Assistance faulty member, Kansas Governor’s Grants Program: Strategic Planning committee member, Kansas VINE Services committee member, Kansas Human Trafficking Advisory Board & Victim Services Committee, and KAVA Advisory Committee.
In June 2023, Tiffanie was appointed Director of the Victim Rights Coordination Unit at the Office of the Attorney General, a system-based advocacy program within the Criminal Division. In this role, she also serves as the Victim Rights Coordinator, supporting victim-witness programs statewide, responding to the victims’ rights hotline, and administering crime victim assistance funds. Currently, the unit provides system-based services across multiple divisions, including Major Crimes, Economic Crimes, Medicaid Fraud & Abuse, Investigations, Appellate Solicitors, and the Sexually Violent Predators Unit.
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Local Rotarians gathered this week to celebrate an incredible milestone; surpassing District 5710’s Million Dollar Challenge. The room was filled with excitement, gratitude, and a deep sense of accomplishment as members reflected on the generosity and commitment that made this achievement possible. This moment not only highlights the strength of Rotary in our community, but also reinforces our shared dedication to service, impact, and creating lasting change.
ArtsConnect Topeka Grant Awarded to CAAHT!
We are incredibly honored to be a recipient of ArtsConnect Topeka's TopArts 2026 Grant!! This funding will go towards 'The Fabric of Healing'. The Fabric of Healing program will provide incarcerated women and those formerly incarcerated who are reintegrating into the community with the opportunity to express their experiences of trauma, recovery, and hope through individually painted quilt blocks that will be combined into a public work of art. The shared artistic expression will highlight resilience, belonging, and community connection. This project serves justice-involved women who are currently incarcerated in the Shawnee County Jail, as well as women who have been released and are working to change the trajectory of their lives through successful community reintegration.
This project will be implemented through the Intersection to Care as a part of our trauma-informed art program!
Rotarians joined community members at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library for an emotional and eye‑opening screening of The Right Track. The turnout showed just how committed our Rotary family is to standing with survivors and supporting real education around the movement to end sex trafficking.
This survivor‑led documentary highlights the voices, leadership, and lived experiences of those who have been exploited across North America. Rooted in the Survivor Model, The Right Track calls for justice, accountability, and dignity.“When survivors come together, oppression crumbles.”
We’re grateful for every Rotarian who showed up, engaged in meaningful conversation, and helped create a space where learning and compassion could thrive. Your presence strengthens this work and reflects Rotary’s commitment to service, awareness, and community impact.
Rotarians and Community Members Fill the Room for a Transformative Human Trafficking Awareness Event
Local Rotarians played a meaningful role in the Human Trafficking Awareness Program at Washburn University, joining community members to support this important conversation. The event exceeded every expectation. The turnout, the compassion in the room, and the willingness to learn showed just how committed our community is to understanding this issue and taking action.
Lisa Phillips delivered a powerful and deeply moving message, and the response from attendees reminded us why awareness and education matter so much. We’re grateful for every Rotarian and community member who showed up, asked thoughtful questions, and helped make the evening such a success. IPPI will continue pushing forward, bringing people together, elevating survivor voices, and strengthening awareness across Kansas.
Rotary Epic Day of Service
Local Rotarians came together with incredible energy and heart for our Rotary Day of Service, making a real impact right here in Topeka. Volunteers rolled up their sleeves to completely revamp the lawn of a women’s and children’s Oxford House, creating a cleaner, safer, and more welcoming space for the families who live there. At the same time, another team brought fresh color and care to the YWCA building through a successful painting project that brightened the environment for the population they serve. Both efforts were meaningful wins, and we are truly grateful to be able to give back to our community in such hands‑on, hopeful ways. This is what service looks like when people show up for one another.
Gratitude and Celebration for CAAHT Rotary
Yesterday, CAAHT Rotary attended the Women’s Fund Luncheon where we were honored to receive the ten thousand dollar grant we applied for. This support means so much to our team and to the women we walk alongside.
We are forever grateful for this funding. It will directly support safe and stable housing for ITC participants, giving women reentering the community a secure place to begin rebuilding their lives. Safe housing is one of the most important steps in creating stability, healing, and long‑term success.
Thank you to the Women’s Fund of Topeka for believing in this work and for investing in the safety and future of the women we serve. Moments like this remind us how powerful collective giving can be and how much change is possible when our community comes together.
Local Rotarians and the End Forced Organ Harvesting Rotary Satellite Club of CAAHT brought the community together for an eye‑opening look at the ongoing human rights abuses exposed in the film. The screening created space for people to confront the realities of forced organ harvesting, the scale of the abuses, and the personal stories behind the documentary’s investigation.
The panel conversation afterward helped deepen the community’s understanding of the issue, offering context on how these abuses persist, the international response, and the role advocacy groups are playing to raise awareness. The discussion also highlighted why education and public engagement remain essential in addressing human rights violations that often remain hidden from global attention.
Rotary International sent a team of seven journalists to Topeka to highlight our Intersection to Care (ITC) Rotary Global Grant. During their visit, they interviewed Rotarians and program participants inside the jail and in the community. They observed several ITC programs, including Movement and Meditation, the Colors of Strength art class, and KU technology class. They also interviewed women at an Oxford House and Mirror Work for Success.
Eighteen Rotarians and community partners came together to assemble 40 Rotary Cares kits for women leaving incarceration and for survivors of trafficking and exploitation. These kits provide essential clothing, health, and personal care items, meeting immediate needs for women starting over with very little.
CAAHT, in partnership with Magenta Girls Initiative (MGI), hosted Healing in Color: Stories of Strength & Hope, a powerful art exhibit showcasing work created by incarcerated women in the ITC trauma-informed art program. The exhibition showcased the transformative process of healing through color, art, and self-expression. 122 attendees enjoyed viewing the art! WIBW was there covering this inspired event and interviewed Jennifer Montgomery, Artist, Rotary Peace Fellow, MGI Founder, and ITC art program facilitator.
Mental health and well‑being play a critical role in both vulnerability to trafficking and survivor recovery. In a recent Hear Me. See Me. podcast segment on WIBW, Patti Mellard, founder of the Rotary Club of Community Action Against Human Trafficking, and Jennifer Montgomery, founder of the Magenta Girls Initiative and Rotary Fellow, discuss how past trauma and other risk factors contribute to exploitation, as well as the warning signs communities should watch for. Their conversation underscores the importance of awareness, prevention, and trauma‑informed support in the fight against human trafficking.
Kansas Legislators Human Trafficking Education Reception 2026
On January 28th, several Rotarians joined International Public Policy Institute for the Kansas Legislators Human Trafficking Education Reception. This event provided the opportunity for survivors, organizations, and professionals to inform Kansas Legislators on the impact Human Trafficking can have. We also had the chance to celebrate the bill HB 2347 passing the house! The passing of this bill increases penalties for buying sex, elevating the offense from a misdemeanor to a felony. Great work to all who have been working tirelessly on this bill!
Featured News Segment & Art Exhibition!
Patti Mellard, founder of CAAHT Club and Jennifer Montgomery, Founder of Magenta Girls Initiative, were guests on WIBW News! They joined Melissa Brunner on the Red Couch to share information about the Intersection to Care program and spread awareness on Human Trafficking during #NationalHumanTraffickingPreventionMonth. To watch their interview, visit this link: https://www.wibw.com/2026/01/27/topeka-rotary-program-supports-survivors-aims-prevent-human-trafficking/. CAAHT Rotary and Magenta Girls Initiative will also be hosting an art exhibit, Healing in Color: Stories of Strength & Hope. This exhibit will feature artwork created by incarcerated women at Shawnee County Jail who've participated in the trauma-informed arts program made possible by Intersection to Care. The exhibit will also feature a film screening of Women Rising. The event will be held on March 19th from 6pm - 8pm and will be at NOTO Arts Center, 935 N. Kansas Ave Topeka, KS. Here is a link to the event on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17hNKsMS4c/ We hope to see you there!
Preparing for Art Exhibit
On January 14, Rotarians met to tour and secure the venue for the upcoming art exhibit. This collaborative visit ensured the space is ready to showcase the artwork and support a successful community event.
On December 17, Rotarians came together to assemble Rotary Care Kits for women participating in the ITC program. Each kit includes essential items such as leggings, a t‑shirt, hygiene products, and other basic necessities that support women transitioning back into the community after incarceration. These care kits offer comfort, dignity, and a tangible reminder that our community believes in second chances and surrounds these women with support as they rebuild their lives.
On November 19, members of the CAAHT Rotary Club gathered to complete the club’s District Grant project, New Beginnings: Postpartum Kits for New Mothers. The project supports new moms who are facing financial hardship or who may not have strong family support by providing them with essential supplies for recovery and newborn care.
In addition to maternal and child health items, Rotary members also donated infant board books to help nurture early literacy from day one.
CAAHT members were joined by their families, Topeka High Interact students, members of Topeka South Rotary, and community guests. Together, volunteers assembled 50 fully stocked backpacks to be shared with the community.
All kits were donated to the Topeka Doula Project and local hospital maternity wards to help ensure mothers and their babies get a healthy start.
ITC Program presents to Rotary Friendship Exchange
We hosted the Rotary Friendship Exchange team from South Africa for a presentation of our Intersection to Care program at the Shawnee County Jail on Sept 26. Jodi Whitt and Kristen Shook did an excellent job explaining the ITC program and the success of our project at the jail.Two of the women who are participating in the program also spoke about how the ITC program has given them hope and provided the skills they need for re-entry.
Rotarians from South Africa are also assisting women leaving incarceration and were very interested in learning more about ITC.
Service Project at District Conference!
CAAHT Rotary Club members organized a service project for attendees of the District 5710 Rotary Conference to assemble 200 Rotary Cares Go Kits!
CAAHT Rotary applied for three (3) District grants and are excited to announce that we have been awarded all three by the District 5710 Grant committee!!
Grant 1 - Rotary Cares kits for Intersection to Care (ITC) project women leaving incarceration. We will have $37,50 ($1250 from our club dues + $2,500 from District grant fund) to make 65 Care kits for women participating in the ITC program.
Grant 2 - Dignity Kit Global Grant for girls and women in Uganda. We are contributing $500 of our allocated grant money to Jennifer Montgomery's proposed project in Uganda. This project will purchase sewing machines, teach women and girls to sew reusable menstrual kits and incudes community education. Jennifer will be our speaker at a future meeting and tell us more about this project.
Grant 3 - "New Beginnings - Postpartum Care kits for Mothers." This project will provide necessary items for new mothers who lack the financial means to provide them. As part of this grant, we ask that members donate a small book appropriate for an infant. We plan to make 50 care kits.
On August 7 Rotarians and Intersection to Care (ITC) participants got together to assemble 50 care kits. The kits were then delivered to sites in the homeless community.
2025 Rotary International Convention in Calgary!
CAAHT and EFOH had an information booth in the House of Friendship at the International Convention.
For more information watch the Intersection to Care video below about this rewarding program helping women reintegrate into the community after incarceration.
