Amilia is the Executive Director of Someone Worth Accepting Now (SWAN) and the founder of the Butterfly House, a safe refuge for women and children program.

Amilia has spent seven years training in domestic violence. She has attended hundreds of hours worth of trainings to understand the dynamics of domestic violence and how to be an empowering advocate. Amilia has attended every training and conference offered through the azcadv. She has been a part of a speaker’s bureau for 7 years, speaking throughout the community in every type of location, such as schools, businesses, AZ Senate and several church’s. She has served on many committee’s to organize community awareness events that were focused on domestic violence.

Amilia leads several domestic violence support groups, and provides continual trainings for support group leaders and speakers for the speaker’s bureau. She offers lay counseling and daily email or phone support to women who need help with relationship issues.

 

Amilia Duchon-Voyles

In 2007 Amilia was awarded the "Courage of Conviction" award from the Arizona Coalition for Women Against Domestic Violence, and here is part of the introduction from the ceremony;  This award is given by the Coalition to acknowledge the contributions of any person who best exemplifies the Coalition’s mission: “To lead, to advocate, to education, to collaborate, to end domestic violence in Arizona. A person receiving this award would demonstrate the following characteristics: 

  • Works toward the empowerment victims or survivors of domestic violence and their families,
  • Works toward the prevention and ultimate elimination of domestic violence, 
    Provides leadership and representation on behalf of victims of domestic violence,
  • Demonstrates the highest ability and dedication to advocating on behalf of domestic violence victims, survivors and/or system change, 
  • Provides education and/or awareness to populations and/or communities, 
  • Demonstrates commitment and desire to build collaborative partnerships to improve  services and safety for victims of domestic violence



In 2010, Amilia was selected as the Guest Speaker for Victims Rights Week at Perryville Prison along with Governor Jan Brewer.


In 2011, Amilia was presented with the Arizona Attorney Generals Award for Distinguished Service, presented by AZ Attorney General, Tom Horne, in a ceremony during Victims Rights Week on the AZ Senate lawn.

Amilia is the mother of five children, and 2 step-children. Amilia is married to a wonderful and supportive husband, who adopted her first 3 kids from her abusive marriage. She enjoys reading and camping with her family.

From Amilia, as a remark of her own survival story and what she has done with it to minister to others.

“I stand in awe of my Lord that He would use my painful experiences and shattered dreams in life to make a difference in someone else. He has been so faithful to me showering me with His endless love and blessings. What a privilege it is to be in an intimate relationship with God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit knowing that a way will be made when there seems to be no way.”

Amilia is available to speak at churches, retreats, women’s conferences, schools, and conferences for pastors and counselors with a personal testimony or seminars/workshops on domestic violence. In addition help is available in starting a domestic violence support group.

SWAN - Someone Worth Accepting Now