Metro East Every Survivor Counts in Crisis

Greetings! I am Amy Signore,Chair of the Board for the Metro East Every Survivor Counts (Metro East ESC). Formally with Call For Help, the Metro East ESC is the rape crisis center for the Metro East, serving the Illinois counties of St. Clair, Madison, Jersey, Monroe, and Randolph. The dedicated staff of Metro East ESC provides counseling, legal advocacy, in-person crisis support to survivors of sexual violence, and community education and prevention programs. All of these services are provided free of charge.

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE-A and PA SANE), I have spent years researching how sexual violence affects an individual and our society. I can attest to the vital need for the services the Metro East ESC provides to our community. Research has shown that early intervention promotes healthier outcomes for survivors. The counseling and advocacy survivors receive at Metro East ESC provide survivors with the tools and support they need to become healthier, productive members of our community. While I could provide you with the statistics and the facts, I would rather share with you my personal experience working with these dedicated employees and volunteers.

Imagine your worst nightmare, all of your power has been taken away from you and you have been sexually violated. Somehow, you gather what little strength you have remaining and you seek care at a hospital. Now, you are faced with having to relive your trauma as you retell your personal history to a complete stranger and then endure an invasive examination that lasts for hours on end. Now, imagine you are not alone. An advocate from Metro East ESC has arrived to be at your side. An advocate that provides you with a warm hand to hold, an ear to listen to your needs, and a strong voice to communicate your wishes. That is what this staff does. There have been so many late nights I get called in to perform an examination on a frightened patient, I make a call to the hotline, and an advocate arrives to be at that patient's side to provide the support the patient so desperately needs. I have witnessed this act of care and compassion too many times to count over the years. Each and every time, it moves me. The patient leaves knowing they are not alone and they have a team of advocates and counselors ready to be there for them. This is just one of the services that Metro East ESC provides to the community.

As Metro East ESC is newly separated and independent, the organization is in desperate need of financial support from the community. Currently, we do not have the funds to continue to pay our dedicated staff. The funds raised will be used for staff salaries and benefits, operating costs, volunteer training, and providing education and community outreach. Please consider giving to this essential organization. Any amount will help keep the lights on. Please share this with your family and friends and community leaders and encourage them to give to this worthy cause. If you would like to host a fundraiser to benefit Metro East Every Survivor Counts, please contact me. Without your support, I fear sexual assault survivors in our area will lose these valuable advocacy services.

Thank you in advance for your support!

Amy