MISSION MOMENTS

ENCOURAGE - EMPOWER - APPLAUD

Susan arrived at the shelter in December 2022. She arrived alone after fleeing from her abuser. As part of the Transitional Housing program, she moved into an apartment in February 2023. She has always been highly motivated to work and to share her story with others, hoping to shed some light on domestic violence and how you can overcome any obstacle.

Susan really wanted to find the right job. One of our Transitional Housing Specialists, Leah Johnson, came across a flyer for a local job fair with multiple job opportunities. She sent the flyer to Susan, called her and encouraged her to attend. The day of the job fair, Leah received a call from Susan, who was overwhelmed with joy. After being interviewed at the fair by a local hospital, she was hired on the spot! Congratulations and best of luck, Susan! 

GIVING A CLIENT A LYFT

A combination of grant funding and donations have enabled us to work with ride-sharing platform, Lyft, to transport clients to medical appointments, work, job interviews, and other miscellaneous errands such as obtaining an ID, etc. Lyft has also been helpful in transporting clients back to the shelter from medical emergencies as well.



FEEDING OUR SHELTER RESIDENTS

A hot and delicious dinner was brought to the shelter by one of our monthly donors, Liane Birk. As usual, the shelter clients absolutely loved it! THANK YOU for your ongoing generosity, Liane! We are currently looking for donors to provide meals. If you can help, please call Sarah at 708.429.7255 x123.

OUR COUNSELING TEAM

Our Counseling Department continues to run a weekly Domestic Violence Support Group for current clients. The group meets every Wednesday from 7pm - 8pm. No advanced registration is required. Please call (708) 429-SAFE (7233) for location information.

We've also expanded our Counseling team by hiring an additional therapist. We now have 4 full-time therapists and 1 part-time therapist working with clients and their families.

If you are interested in counseling services, please call (708) 429-SAFE (7233) and complete an Intake Assessment with our staff. All services offered through the Counseling Department are FREE and CONFIDENTIAL. 

Volunteer Jennifer Rice provides clerical support for the Development team and other departments at the Center. She has been a volunteer for approximately 2 years, both pre and post COVID.

Born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama, Jennifer resides in suburban Chicago with her husband and teen daughter. When asked what her hobbies or interests were, Jennifer paused for a moment and said, “My husband and I work with fused glass. We make bowls, plates, sun catchers, cheese boards, and jewelry… We do this together as a hobby.”

Her background is in music, vocals to be precise. “I mainly do congregational singing, you know, in my church, now. I want to stay busy and feel fulfilled." She spoke of the need to be engaged in something meaningful and loves working at the Crisis Center. We are so lucky to have Jennifer volunteering with us! She is thoughtful, polite, and a constant source of calm. She may not realize how wonderful she is but we know that she is an absolute treasure. 

April is Volunteer Appreciation Month. We got an early start on the celebration when Neat Repeats Regional Director, Doreen Holford, and staff, hosted a Wellness Event for the volunteers of both Neat Repeats stores - over 65 of our volunteers participated! There were smoothies, healthy drinks and snacks, a Zen coloring station, a paraffin hand wax station, a massage station, a potting station for wildflowers, a self-affirmation station, and a chair yoga station!

STAFF SPOTLIGHT

Sarah Tygart started her career with the Crisis Center 15 years ago as an overnight shift leader. Over the years she was promoted several times and today she is the Senior Director of Victim Services. She is also one of the lead staff responsible for the shelter expansion. “The shelter looks so different than it did when I started. It is a warm, welcoming place with soft colors and lots of light. It’s a sanctuary more than a shelter,” said Sarah. Her calm demeanor and sweet smile puts both staff and shelter residents at ease when they speak with her. One of her greatest gifts as a leader is her ability to empower staff to share what they need to be their best, which is not always easy in a trauma-informed care setting. “When I am supporting my team, I think back to when I was just starting out and what I needed to be impactful. I try to understand what they need, especially when they get stuck or are feeling defeated. Working in the shelter is not easy, but listening and letting staff know how incredibly important they are to the survivors we support is so important. We all have to take care of ourselves so we can take care of the clients that need us the most.”



THANK YOU to Tinley Park resident and State Farm Agency owner Mark Moylan (office located on Oak Park Avenue in downtown Tinley), for hosting his 11th Annual Triathlon on March 5th, to benefit the Crisis Center. We are so grateful to Mark for his continued support of our mission, and to all who participated in this event.

Thank you!

Want to help?

Order items from our Amazon Wish List and have them shipped directly to us.  

Additionally, the following items are most-needed by the Crisis Center at this time:

• Ladies bras & sports bras (NEW) all sizes
• Ladies underpants (NEW) all sizes
• Laundry pods
• All-purpose spray cleaners
• Paper towels
• Kleenex

If you are donating any of the items listed above, please drop them off at our warehouse at: 8201 W. 183rd Street, Unit A, Tinley Park, IL 60477.

Go behind the building to the back door, on any Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday from 9am - 12 Noon.

To arrange for delivery, please contact Dany at 708.429.7255 x230 or email dgarcia@crisisctr.org.



Attention all GOLFERS! Please join us for our 2nd Annual Crisis Center Classic on May 22, 2023 at Prestwick Country Club.

The Crisis Center Auxiliary is committed to promoting public awareness of the issue of domestic violence and the services provided to victims by the Crisis Center for South Suburbia. In addition to increasing revenue through its fundraising events, the Auxiliary provides opportunities for men and women to share their common commitment to helping victims of domestic violence.

It's that time of year, to clean up and clean out! Come to our Neat Repeats resale shops and donate your new and gently used items. Oh, and don't forget to come into the store and look through this year's fabulous Spring attire!

Want to be the first to find out about specials and sales?

Join our VIP shopper list!

Don't forget to shop Neat Repeats Online where all

Neat Repeats items are 50% off 24/7!