NWCASA hosts community 'Exploration Open House' on Thursday, Sept. 28
Northwest Center Against Sexual Assault (NWCASA), the only sexual assault rape crisis center serving North and Northwest Suburban Cook County and McHenry County, will host a "Exploration Open House" from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 28, at its headquarters, 415 W. Golf Road, Suite 47, in Arlington Heights.
"Community residents are invited to stop by, and NWCASA trauma counseling informed staff will take you on the path of a survivor through our essential services," said Carrie Estrada, executive director, NWCASA. All services provided by NWCASA are free and confidential.
There is no need to register for the event. Visit: www.nwcasa.org.
No matter your commitment level - NWCASA has a role for you. Estrada explained that volunteering opportunities are crucial to sustaining high levels of service to the community.
NWCASA provides all training and support needed to be successful supporting survivors in many capacities. Explore volunteer opportunities at www.nwcasa.org/?page_id=758.
These roles include but are not limited to:
• Medical advocate: Be a first responder to sexual violence and support a survivor through an emergency room visit.
• Volunteer counselor: NWCASA has a counseling waitlist due to a deficit in funding. Support survivors through their healing process by volunteering your expert skills. Master level licensed/licensed eligible clinicians are encouraged to apply. Clinical Supervision and support provided.
• Crisis worker: Answer crisis calls from survivors in our community on our 24/7 hotline from your own home.
• Events volunteer: Support for NWCASA's Pumpkin Dash 5K/Walk on Oct. 7, as well as Trivia Night! (2024) #SAAM Sexual Assault Awareness Month in April and establishing events in the community.
In addition, board members are needed with expertise in the medical field, education sector, fundraising, events support and financial management with nonprofit organizations. Explore board opportunities at www.nwcasa.org/?page_id=760.
NWCASA delivers essential community services. During the 2023 fiscal year, NWCASA responded to 857 crisis hotline calls and 395 hospital referral calls. Trauma counseling was provided to 242 individuals.
Nearly 400 people were supported with advocacy services in court houses, at hospitals, with law enforcement and throughout the community to address survivor's needs, and 6,500 local students provided with education to help prevent sexual assault.
Northwest Center Against Sexual Assault (NWCASA) is the only full-service agency that provides free services to sexual assault survivors and their loved ones within the North and Northwest suburbs of Cook County and McHenry County. NWCASA has been responding to the needs of survivors of sexual violence and their significant others for more than 40 years.
NWCASA is a not-for-profit 501 c (3) organization. A 24 hour/seven day a week sexual assault trauma crisis hotline is available: (888) 802-8890. NWCASA is a governing body member of the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault.
For more information and to donate, visit www.nwcasa.org
For further information contact: Carrie Estrada, executive director, at cestrada@nwcasa.org or call (847) 806-6526, ext. 140. Mailing address: NWCASA, 415 W. Golf Road, Suite 47, Arlington Heights, IL.