Chamaine Jones is the Sexual Assault Program Manager of the Southern Maryland Center for Family Advocacy (SMCFA) serving St. Mary's County, Maryland. She has been serving with SMCFA for 9 years.
1. What makes the Southern Maryland community you serve special?
Southern Maryland is special for several reasons, combining natural beauty, rich history, and a unique cultural identity. Southern Maryland’s specialness comes from how it blends the past and present, nature and industry, simplicity and depth. More specifically, St. Mary's County, Maryland, the county that SMCFA serves, is a uniquely special place with deep historical roots, vibrant culture, and a strong connection to the land and water. It is the birthplace of Maryland and is bounded by the Potomac River, Patuxent River, and Chesapeake Bay. Historic St. Mary’s City is the first colonial settlement and Maryland's first capital, established in 1634.
2. Tell us about the Southern Maryland Center for Family Advocacy current community prevention efforts.
Current community prevention efforts at SMCFA include collaboration with a local college and naval base in St. Mary’s County. St. Mary’s College of Maryland is a public liberal arts college located in historic St. Mary’s City. We have formally partnered with the college since 2019 for Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) by tabling at sporting events on campus throughout the month of April, participating in and hosting “Take Back The Night,” and their Campus Safety events. Throughout the year, we are invited to speak and table at many of the events hosted by different organizations on campus. Patuxent River Naval Air Station (NAS Pax River) is one of the largest employers in the region and a major U.S. Navy research and testing facility, which brings innovation and diversity to the area with military, engineering, and aviation professionals from across the country. SMCFA has been providing training for their new Sexual Assault Program Victim Advocates (SAPR VAs) since 2022. We participate and collaborate with PAX throughout the year, but more specifically for SAAM, attending their Sexual Assault Proclamation reading, tabling events, and annual 5k. We table at many other events hosted by community partners like the local health departments, churches, homelessness coalitions, and more. We have very recently begun working with a number of agencies to address sex trafficking in St. Mary’s County and SoMD.
3. Why are you a member of MCASA?
I’m a member of MCASA because I believe in the power of collective advocacy to end sexual violence in Maryland. The center works closely with MCASA because they provide critical resources, training, and legal expertise, but it also creates a network of professionals who are committed to best practices and survivor empowerment. Being a member connects us to that broader movement, one that ensures that every survivor, no matter where they live in Maryland, has access to justice, healing, and support. It’s also about staying informed and holding ourselves accountable. MCASA helps us grow professionally and ethically, so we can better serve our community and advocate effectively for change.
4. What called you to your work?
What called me to this work was a deep commitment to both justice and healing. Growing up and working in Southern Maryland, I saw firsthand the gaps in services for survivors of sexual violence, especially in rural and underserved communities. I felt called to be part of a change that would not only provide immediate support but also long-term empowerment for survivors. Southern Maryland is rich in community, but like many close-knit regions, there can be silence around topics like sexual assault. I wanted to help break that silence. My background in advocacy and trauma-informed care led me to this role, where I could combine program development, survivor support, and community education to make a meaningful impact.
5. What are the Southern Maryland Center for Family Advocacy’s biggest challenges?
As with many providers, a significant challenge can be accessing victims of human trafficking. The region, with the help of the Regional Navigator, is introducing new initiatives to identify, access, and serve these very vulnerable survivors. As always, helping survivors come forward for help is an ongoing challenge due to the stigma surrounding these issues.
