(Posted 2026 March)
Meet Nikitha Yemisetty, Hotline Volunteer
Tell us a little about yourself. What is your professional background?
I was born and raised in Northern Virginia, so Fairfax County has always been home. I recently graduated from the University of Virginia with my bachelor’s in global public health. I am currently at Georgetown University, and I am in the process of obtaining my master’s in biophysics and physiology. After finishing my master’s, I am planning to apply to medical school.
How long have you been volunteering? What led to your initial desire to volunteer and serve others?
I have been volunteering in a variety of different roles and settings since I was in middle school, or for approximately 10 years. Some of my notable volunteer roles include establishing peer tutoring programs in Fairfax County and volunteering in both Inova Fairfax and UVA Children’s Hospitals. I was drawn to volunteer because I grew up seeing how much even the smallest amount of support can change someone’s life, especially in stressful situations. Volunteering, to me, felt like a way to give that support in a concrete way.
What interested you in volunteering with Fairfax County’s Domestic and Sexual Violence Services?
I think the work DSVS does is absolutely inspiring, and as soon as I saw there was an opportunity to help advocate for vulnerable individuals, I knew this was my calling. I am so grateful to be able to lift the voices of individuals in my own community.
What’s the best part of volunteering? Share your most memorable experience.
The best part of volunteering has been all of the brilliant individuals I have met. I’ve interacted with so many professionals from different walks of life who always bring a different perspective to the conversation. As someone who just graduated college, being able to listen to and learn from individuals with so much more life experience is very valuable. Whenever I take a Hotline call, it’s very comforting to know I have this support team behind me, ready to offer advice and resources if I ever need help.
What has been your favorite training? What did you like about it? What did you learn?
That’s certainly a difficult question. All the trainings were so informative and helped open my eyes to exactly how complex the legal system is. I think my favorite training was the one where we learned about how children are impacted in cases of domestic violence; I was able to learn about how long-lasting childhood trauma is and what resources are available in the community to mitigate its effects.
What are your three greatest strengths? How have you been able to display and use these strengths when serving others?
I definitely had to ask my family and friends for this one! I’d say my first strength is being a highly empathetic and intentional listener. I am someone people feel comfortable opening up to, and it’s an honor to have that trust. I also believe I am emotionally resilient, because I have learned how to stay grounded and push through difficult situations. Lastly, I am a very, very organized individual. Everything in my life goes on a list or my calendar, so my friends can count on me to be prepared and follow through on my commitments. I would say being an empathetic and emotionally grounded individual is key in volunteering on the hotline.
What advice do you have for people who may be thinking about becoming a DSVS volunteer?
Do it! It may seem intimidating, but everyone on the team is so kind and welcoming. It feels so fulfilling to know you are making a difference in your own community.
What are some of your hobbies and interests?
I am, and always have been, an avid reader. My favorite activity is going to one of Fairfax County’s many libraries and finding new authors and books to read. I’ve also been learning Bharatanatyam–a form of classical Indian dance–for the past 16 years; it’s been such a wonderful way to learn more about my culture.
This article posting is part of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Services' Volunteer Voices monthly newsletter for current and potential volunteers. If you're not already a volunteer, learn how to get involved. Find out about upcoming trainings, volunteer trainings, happenings around the DSVS office and information about articles, books, media recommendations and more.
Learn more about the Domestic and Sexual Violence Services (DSVS).