Nancy Meding is a volunteer for Victim Services Center. She recently won a statewide award for her work with crime victims.
WHAT DOES THE CENTER DO?
“Instead of a victim having to run all over town for different functions, their needs are met at VSC.” Escorting victims or the families of victims through the court system is a big part of what Meding does.
WHO CAN USE THE PROGRAM?
“Anyone can come to VSC who needs counseling unless there’s culpability. Basically, they are people who need emotional or financial help.”
WHAT DOES SHE DO?
“I meet them [victims and/or their families] at the courthouse to tell them what the status of the case is. I explain that this is not television. The courtroom doesn’t like like what they’ve seen on TV. You cannot have a setup, investigation and trial in an hour. Homicide cases usually take two years. Civil cases can take four.”
WHY VOLUNTEER AT VSC?
“The U.S. Constitution gives defendants 13 to 15 rights, but none for the victims. Florida is on the forefront for victim’s rights; the Florida Constitution gives victims three rights. I wanted to volunteer and that was my area of interest. I have a background in legal education but it’s not a requirement. I wanted to put something back into the community and pay my dues to society.”
HOW DOES SHE HELP?
Trained by the courts as a victim’s advocate, Meding accompanies them to court and acts as a confidante to make the ordeal a little easier. “With my legal background I can explain the legalese — the processes and vocabulary. When a crime happens, there is lots of attention on the family and friends but that goes away after the long haul. They need somebody that’s consistent. I’m more a trusted friend that they can talk to to get them through. It’s being a support system for the family. They are ordinary people in extraordinary situations. The majority have never been in a courtroom.”
WHAT CASES DO YOU HANDLE?
Under the authority of VSC staff member Harvey Harding, Meding has been an advocate tackling the issues of all varieties of cases, but primarily murders, for the last two years.
PICK AND CHOOSE
“There are some cases I won’t do. I’ve done one child molestation case and I don’t want to do another. I don’t want to do a rape because I lose effectiveness. It has nothing to do with the type of crime. I don’t do those where I would lose my perspective. If I’m so angry with the defendant, then I’m not concentrating my full emotional energy.”
WHAT DO YOU GET OUT OF IT?
“To know I’m of value, appreciated and have made a difference. Too many times in jobs you wonder, ‘Why am I doing this? Does anybody care? Does anybody notice?’ You make a difference every time you work with them, before and after. Every case is different, educational and not boring.”
WHAT’S THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE?
“Getting the family to betray no emotion and to be patient with the system. I understand why it takes so long. It works for the State and the defendant but there is an overcrowding of the system. The legal system is like a set of stairs; you cannot run up two at time or you’ll fall down. I never want to start over [at the bottom step] because it puts the family through it all again.”
WHAT LEGAL EXPERIENCE DOES SHE HAVE?
Using her paralegal degree from Dundalk Community College and her bachelor’s degree in juris prudence from the University of Baltimore, Meding has worked as a legal office administrator, paralegal and legal secretary.
FAMILY
A widow, Meding has three children, Frank, Kathleen and Charles. She resides in Cayce’s Crossing with her life partner, Ron Love.
HOMETOWN
Gastonia, N.C.
FLOCKING SOUTH
Semi-retired, Meding moved to Florida seven years ago. “My daughter lived in Vilano. I was down visiting and knew I was supposed to be here. In Baltimore, it snowed from January to March. My son was ice skating in our back yard. I said I was never going through another winter like that.”
LEISURE TIME
When she’s not helping crime victims, Meding is visiting her three grandchildren, reading, taking in a musical or theatrical show, beachcombing or traveling. When dining out, it’s Gubbio’s Italian Restaurant.
NEXT BIG TRIP
Las Vegas is her destination for the end of January. She already has tickets to see Siegfried and Roy.
COACH POTATO
At home, Meding delights in the movie “An Affair to Remember.” She shies away from violent films; she gets enough of that in the courtroom. Her children know not to call when she is watching the television show “My Wife and Kids.”
WHO’S YOUR HERO?
Mary Blake Holley, chief of Victim Services Center. “She is such a role model for women. We’re on this earth to live and love in compassion. It’s a goal everybody needs to set. She [Holley] epitomizes it; the woman is walking joy. She is involved in her church and is dedicated to what she does. She’s amazing.”
—by Monica Chamness