On a mission to alleviate the suffering people experience from domestic violence, Elaine G. Adevai will always keep fighting for what needs to be done. She believes that where there’s a will, there’s a way, and that mentality, coupled with her accepting nature and strong listening skills, has paved the way for her success. Further, she is recognized as an expert in individual and group counseling, as well as in educational administration.
Ms. Adevai is currently the executive director of New Vista for Families, Inc., a nonprofit organization she founded to provide advocacy, counseling, and shelter for victims of domestic violence. On a daily basis, she facilitates support groups and private counseling sessions on topics such as marriage, relationships, and bereavement, and offers advocacy services for women and children who are victims of domestic violence. Other responsibilities include meeting with clients, overseeing the operations of the shelter, supervising staff, setting up programs, maintaining contact with the community for donations, and arranging permanent housing for her clients. Although Ms. Adevai is fulfilling her goals through the nonprofit, she still hopes to do more. Moving forward, she intends to expand the shelter to accommodate even a greater quantity of families in need. She finds it extremely rewarding when she gets calls about the progress her clients have made, and considers the shelter the highlight of her career.
One of the characteristics that make Ms. Adevai and New Vista for Families, Inc., unique is her prior work as a psychologist. This allows her to operate the shelter through the lens of a professional, offering services on not just housing families and helping them get back on their feet, but on how to psychologically deal with the trauma they’ve experienced. One of her greatest accomplishments was changing the state legislature on how long women are allowed to stay in a shelter. She felt the time was too short, and she fought to get it elongated to 6 months.
To prepare for her endeavors, Ms. Adevai earned a Bachelor of Science in premedical studies from Douglass College in 967 and a Master of Science in clinical psychology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey in 1970. She also became a licensed psychologist, and joined prominent professional organizations like of the New York State Coalition against Domestic Violence, the Human Resources Administration, and the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.
In recognition of her achievements and accomplishments, Ms. Adevai received the Distinction Award from the Staten Island Chapter of World of Women in 2009, and was featured in Who’s Who in Industry Leaders, Top Female Executives, and Elite Women Worldwide. She hopes to be remembered as a hardworking person who always did her best.