Darrel Harris was born and raised in Ketchum, Idaho. She spent her early adult years pursuing many adventures both nationally and internationally, eventually settling in the Cascade Mountains of central Washington where she raised her two sons. While in Washington she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English, a Degree in Secondary Education, and a minor in Women’s Studies. Additionally, she volunteered for many organizations dedicated to improving the life of the women and children who lived in her community, including a sexual assault go-out team from Ellensburg, Washington.

Currently, Darrel is the Children’s Program Coordinator at The Advocates for Survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. The Advocates is a non-profit organization that provides education, shelter and supportive services to women and children surviving domestic violence and/or sexual assault. In her position Darrel provides support and information to women and children who are survivors of domestic violence, teaches parenting classes, and facilitates children’s groups.

Her prevention work brings her out to the local schools and community where she conducts seminars for teens and adults on teen dating aggression and abuse; facilitates groups of students from K-12th grades on domestic violence, bullying, healthy relationships, and technology and abuse among teens; organizes and facilitates groups for teen parents and groups for students at risk; and designs research-based curriculum for student and community education.

Darrel has been nominated for Service Individual of the Year award by the Ketchum, Hailey and Sun Valley Chambers of Commerce in 2009 and for the Unsung Hero Award by St. Luke’s Center for Community Health in 2008.