Valencia Peterson (Coach V)

Valencia Peterson is the Founder and Executive Director of Open-Door Abuse Awareness Prevention (ODAAP), a nonprofit organization that endeavors to prevent all facets of violence in particular sexual assault and intimate partner violence through trauma-informed education to youth using the medium of sports. Peterson is familiar with the effects of intimate partner violence and her experience has fueled her dedication to raising awareness about domestic violence, and sexual assault prevention and improving the lives, character, and academic development of all youth.

ODAAP and Peterson have worked since 2014 to educate and build the character of young men through athletics. Peterson is a former Football Coach at Penn Wood High School located in a suburb of Philadelphia, ODAAP serves schools in the Pennsylvania counties of Philadelphia, Montgomery, Delaware, and Bucks at both the high school and college levels. Trauma-informed Coaching has been a focus since the pandemic.

Peterson is a Trauma Competent Professional having been certified in the Lakeside Global Institute Courses for trauma for the last four years. Her mission is to serve through love and be sensitive to the hardships of others.

Peterson and ODAAP’s work has been highlighted in various news broadcasts such as NBC10, 6ABC, HuffPost the Philadelphia Inquirer, and most recently with NBC Philly Live. The success of ODAAP has catapulted Peterson being the keynote speaker and a contributor to the written curriculum. Some of these are mentioned below.

Peterson’s previous speaking engagements include TEDx Wilmington, California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA)’s 2019 Statewide Conference, USA Olympic Swimming Coaches, and Florida Coalition of Domestic Violence.

Peterson has also contributed to the curriculum of two programs, Roll Red Roll High School Kit and Coaching Boys into Men.