Rape Crisis Center Inc

“Stand up if you think that you’d like to stop sexual assault from ever happening again.”  This is how the Rape Crisis Center’s  Education Director, Maria Schirmer, begins many of her preventative educational programs in schools, colleges, and other groups.  As you might expect, the whole room stands.   “Now sit down,” she says, “if you think that’s a wonderful goal, but impossible to achieve.”  Sometimes she’s left with four people standing.  Sometimes six.  Rarely more than that.  “This is my biggest challenge,” she says, “it’s my job to change your minds.”

We are so grateful to you for standing up.  You know that it’s possible.  You know that it’s time.  And you know that in the meantime, our commitment to providing free24-hour crisis services, counseling, and outreach in our community must remain a priority for the Rape Crisis Center.

With your help we make it happen.  With your help we will continue to get feedback like this from survivors that attend our preventative education presentations: “This presentation is so peaceful!  Please, please, please keep speaking up. Keep speaking out!  I didn’t always have a voice, but presentations like this help give others that voice!”

You bring the gift of hope, help, and healing to our survivors every year.  Just by standing up and believing the goal is possible.  Won’t you stand up during The Big Share this year?