Advocate Alley Munoz
Not only are all our advocates trauma-informed, but every single one is deeply passionate for our mission to empower survivors and protect kids. We hope this mini-interview gives a small window into some of the talented, empathetic and driven advocates that work at our firm.
What is your favorite thing about working at Jeff Anderson & Associates?
Alley: The people. It’s not easy to find a group of individuals that are so driven and passionate about protecting children and helping survivors. I’ve seen it day in and day out, working with other groups and crisis centers and not everyone is in it for the survivor. So, I feel very fortunate to have met such wonderful people.
Why did you apply to work at Jeff Anderson & Associates?
Alley: I’ve always thought and felt that the universe guides me, and I just let the universe take over. I remember the exact moment that I saw the listing…it was 9:30 at night and I was feeling kind of…stuck. I read the listing, it felt like the beliefs that Jeff has aligned with what I was doing and what I wanted to keep doing. It just sounded like a good fit.
Have you ever been one of the first people a survivor disclosed their abuse to?
Alley: Yes, several times, both in my previous position and here. It’s not only a privilege but it’s a position of power for me, to sit there and listen to someone tell their story and maybe their darkest secret to someone. What I really try to emphasize to them [survivors] when they do share that with me is how important my reaction to their story is. Our reaction shapes their healing journey and how they respond.
How have you grown as a person since working at Jeff Anderson & Associates?
Alley: I’ve had the chance to work with a whole different demographic of survivors who are now given a chance at justice in a different way, or through a different avenue. As a person I think I’ve learned to develop a new level of compassion for those who didn’t experience, compassion or understanding or belief from another person when they were younger.
What is one of your favorite foods?
Alley: Literally anything with cheese…or fries. Fries as a meal…cheese as an…everything.
What is your favorite hobby?
Alley: Lately it’s been photography. I’ve been restoring and collecting old cameras and shooting on film. I took pictures of us [the staff] in the office the day of the close of the window [California CVA window] just to be able to look back and see what the office was like on the last day of the window.
What is something you are passionate about?
Alley: Violence prevention. That’s something I’ve always been passionate about. I started this whole career through violence prevention. For me, even answering a phone call is a form of violence prevention.
What is your favorite place you have traveled to and why?
Alley: Portland, Oregon. I love Portland, it’s basically a greener LA. I love the gloomy weather; I love it all. It’s a nice little pocket in the world.
What is something you do to help alleviate anxiety or stress?
Alley: Lately I’ve been practicing mindful check-ins. That has been really good because it kind of conceptualizes and helps you get to the root of the anxiety and what’s causing the anxiety. And actually being able to either visualize it or put it down on paper really helps me to alleviate some of the anxiety or stress.
Do you have any pets? If so, what are their names?
Alley: Yes! I have Wednesday and Pugsley [Alley held up a picture of her two cats]. They are siblings. They just turned nine. I think when they were younger they kind of mirrored their Addams Family character names. For the longest time we thought Wednesday was the problem child, but in reality, the real villain was her brother [Pugsley]. They go through their own phases in life like I do.