SAN ANTONIO — The Rape Crisis Center of San Antonio will celebrate its 40th anniversary November 6th, 2015, at 3:00pm. The Center is located at 7500 US Hwy 90 West, Building 2, Suite 201.

The Rape Crisis Center is one of the nation’s oldest and largest providers of crisis intervention and counseling services for individuals impacted by sexual violence and their families. Since its inception as a community-based organization, The Rape Crisis Center has served as a beacon in our community that lights the path of healing and guides the way toward a violence-free city.

Special guests include SAPD Police Chief William McManus, Bexar County Sheriff Susan L. Pamerleau, and State Senator Jose Menendez. Senator Menendez will read a special proclamation from the Texas State Senate commending the Center for four decades of 24/7 service touching the lives of literally hundreds of thousands of people in the San Antonio area.

In the past year, The Rape Crisis Center was able to answer 16,020 calls on the 24-hour hotline; accompany 883 children, women, and men to the hospital for their sexual assault forensic exams; provide counseling to 1,149 survivors and their loved oneseducate 4,378 youth in middle and high schools on what it means to have a healthy relationship; and present 5,093 community members with discussions on general awareness.

“We could help only a fraction of these men, women, and children if we had to rely on our professional staff alone,” said Miriam Elizondo, Co-Executive Director, “but we are blessed with more than 60 volunteers who are there for those who need help around-the-clock every day of the year, 24-hours-a-day.”

People who are interested in volunteering at the Rape Crisis Center, or who simply want to learn more about the organization, are invited to attend one of the Center’s information sessions and tours held at least twice monthly for an hour in the evenings. Contact Chloe Power cpower@rapecrisis.com or 210-521-7273 for more information.