Diamond Development, Inc.

The Eric R. Villines Advocacy Institute

The Eric R. Villines Advocacy Institute - named in loving memory of Kimberly Armstrong’s 16-year old son who lost his life to the violent streets of Baltimore - is a nonprofit arm of Diamond Development, Inc. (www.diamondadvocateinstitute.org) and fills an important void for parents and communities across the State of Maryland.

Mission:

To empower and educate parents, youth, and organizations on juvenile justice issues and policies while providing hands-on advocacy support and trainings to stakeholders in the juvenile justice system.

For more information regarding the Eric R. Villines Advocacy Institute, please contact Bettye Blaize at 1-800-485-8214, ext. 45.

The Eric R. Villines Advocacy Institute is dedicated to the memory of Eric R. Villines and to all other children and youth whose lives have been tragically lost to violence.

To make a donation, please click on the following link:

http://www.diamondadvocateinstitute.org/EricRVillinesAdvocacyInstitute.html

*The picture above of Eric Villines is from http://wjz.com/local/murder.eric.villins.2.682360.html*

Bio for Kimberly Armstrong

Kimberly Armstrong is the President of Diamond Development Inc., a consulting and training organization in Baltimore which provides services to families, professionals and community-involved individuals on stress and anger management, self-esteem, leadership, diversity and other life enhancement skills.

Ms. Armstrong has completed trainings and received certificates from The Professional Woman Network and the Women's Entrepreneurs of Baltimore (W.E.B). Her advocacy about youth violence has lead her to become a sought-after speaker and commentator. She has appeared in many venues including the Marc Steiner Radio Show, the Baltimore Sun, the Washington Post, and the University of Maryland's Capitol News. Additionally, Ms. Armstrong has participated in the Maryland Juvenile Justice Coalition's Monthly Speakers Forum, the Women's Entrepreneurs of Baltimore's Work Force Development Workshop, and the Maryland State Assembly (provided testimony for legislated bills to help reform the Maryland Juvenile System). She has also appeared in many exhibits and documentaries. Ms. Armstrong has served as the guest and keynote speaker for a number of organizations, the latest being the National Cease-Fire Against Gun Violence in Nashville, Tennessee.

Ms. Armstrong suffered a tragic loss in September 2004 when her youngest son was murdered. This unfortunate event led her to embark on a journey as an author and motivational speaker.

Ms. Armstrong is one of 25 woman who has co-authored two books. The Christians Woman's Guide For Personal Success features her chapter on how to deal with death and grief. Women as Leaders: Strategies for Empowerment & Communication released in October of 2007 includes her contributing chapter entitled "Leadership Skills for Youth."

Ms. Armstrong thrives on and believes that the best way to help others is to help them find the brilliance in helping themselves. In December 2004, Ms. Armstrong received the 2004-05 Pollin Award from the Washington Wizards for Outstanding Dedication to the Community. In 2007, she was honored by the National Juvenile Justice Network and the Campaign for Youth Justice with The National Mother of Distinction Award. These accomplishments have made her an ardent proponent for positive, constructive and immediate reform of the entire juvenile justice system in Maryland. She continues to fight injustice by helping youth and families help themselves through education and empowerment.

Ms. Armstrong is the former Interim Co-Chair for the Maryland Juvenile Justice Coalition, Founder/Executive Director of the Just 4 Me Mentoring Program for Girls and is a former professional bus operator with the Maryland Transit Administration. Ms. Armstrong is currently a board member of the Governor's Office of Crime Control and Prevention (GOCCP) and The Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative (JDAI) with the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Department of Juvenile Services in Baltimore, Maryland where she resides.

Diamond Development, Inc.

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Bio for Kimberly Armstrong

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