How Center for Community Solutions Changed My Life

I am in awe of the bravery of all the women speaking out against sexual violence. For me, I held on to my experience for so long that eventually, out of desperation and a need to heal, I decided to reach out to an organization to volunteer. My goal was to become a member of the Sexual Assault Response Team.

Not long after, I received a response from someone named Ma’at Cook, and they invited me in for an interview. I remember arriving at the center— nervous, unsure, but hopeful. I was buzzed in, greeted with a warm smile, and then I remember a staircase. We walked up that staircase together, and that’s where my interview took place.

During the interview, I was asked a little about myself and then why I wanted to volunteer. That was the moment I shared part of my story with Ma’at. Afterward, I began the training, but I struggled to complete it. I felt frustrated, because I knew deep down this was something I needed to do. So I finally asked, “What else can I do for you?” And that’s when the opportunity came to share my story during crisis intervention training.

At that time, being shy and socially awkward, I couldn’t imagine standing in front of a room and telling people that I had been kidnapped and assaulted. I had been told before that no one would want to hear my story because I was still depressed, anxious, and hadn’t “done anything positive with it.” But then I heard a guest speaker share her own story during one of the trainings, and I thought, how brave. If she could stand up there and speak her truth, maybe I could too.

So I tried. And the response was incredibly supportive. People said things like, “Thank you for sharing,” “You’re so brave,” and “I’m so sorry that happened to you.” They asked thoughtful questions that eventually helped me process the magnitude of what I had experienced. For the first time, I didn’t feel alone. I felt understood. I learned that it is okay to talk about trauma—that there are people who won’t judge you, who will listen, who will support you, and who will walk with you through your healing.

And when I say “all survivors matter,” I say it with compassion. Sexual violence takes many forms, and each survivor’s experience is unique. My heart is simply that no survivor ever feels dismissed, overlooked, or unworthy of support.

I also learned the importance of receiving a response. I’ve reached out to organizations in the past and heard nothing back, and that can make you feel invisible or unworthy. And although I understand that larger organizations can’t always respond to everyone, I truly believe every survivor deserves some acknowledgment. Our experiences matter—no matter the details, the severity, or the comparisons we sometimes make, like “mine wasn’t as bad.” All stories matter.

That’s what I found with Center for Community Solutions. My volunteer experiences there have been incredible. The relationships I’ve built over the years have shaped who I am today. And it all started with people like Ma’at Cook, Liat Wexler, Corinne Sylvester, Maria Oucalt-Smith, and so many others. I could list names all day—you know who you are, and I appreciate every one of you.

Please continue the work. No matter who comes and goes, I will always be a supporter of the organization that helped me free myself from the pain I carried for so long after experiencing sexual violence and kidnapping.

I love you and thank you!

If you or someone you know needs support, Center for Community Solutions can be reached at 1-888-385-4657 or at www.ccssd.org.