We are at our new address (4606 Centerview Ste. 200, San Antonio, TX 78228) and settling in nicely. There are still boxes to be unpacked and projects to be done, but each individual room is starting to look and feel like home.
One of our special rooms is quickly becoming one of our counseling rooms. This specific room is special because it was sponsored by Gaylord & Karen Reaves. Mr & Mrs. Reaves stopped by the center earlier this week and we had a chance to sit down and ask them a few questions about their involvement with our center.
RCC: How did you find out about our move and what made you want to get involved as a room sponsor?
Karen: A friend of ours invited us to attend your Partners for Hope breakfast in December. I specifically remember Miriam (Executive Director of the RCC) putting statistics up about how this crime impacted children. I knew then that I wanted to do something.
I found out about your move to this new facility at that same breakfast fundraiser. When I saw the opportunity to sponsor a room at the new building, I thought that was perfect for us! I told my husband, “We are going to do this. You and I.” I knew that I didn’t want to just sponsor the room either…I wanted to help furnish it. I wanted to help pick out the pieces that would go in the counseling room.
RCC: What was your inspiration when picking out the furniture?
Karen: I wanted it to be contemporary and refreshing. I chose things that clients would be comfortable looking at; not something that would remind them of their trauma.
I have worked with Stowers Furniture on previous projects and reached out to one of their designers, Eric Losey for help. Eric and I worked together to make this space a place for survivors to feel safe and work on healing. Stowers was such a great help, and I am so grateful for Eric who donated his time on this project.
RCC: What would you tell other people about supporting The Rape Crisis Center?
Karen: It’s important that we learn about this issue and how it affects our community. We all know it happens, but we don’t want to talk about it. We need to bring it to the forefront and look at the statistics. This problem exists, and there is a need.
My involvement is not stopping at the room sponsorship. I have already planned to have RCC staff come out to speak to my Sunday School group and I am organizing a clothing drive for clients at Chico’s.
Thank you for your kindness and generosity Mr. & Mrs. Reaves! You have, and will continue to make a positive impact in the lives of children, women, and men that come to our center for help. We are grateful to have you as part of our Rape Crisis Center family!
A special thank you to Eric Losey and Stowers Furniture for their support on this project as well!
Stay tuned for more info about our new space and upcoming grand opening plans. If you are interested in getting more involved with our center or sponsoring a room, please contact Terri Walk at twalk@rapecrisis.com