By Dr. Ferrell Miller
Kathy Ray, MSW and Executive Director of The Crisis Center, Inc. served as the guest speaker at the June 22 JC Breakfast Optimist Club’s Celebration of Optimism meeting. Kathy told the Optimists that she and her staff of 13 and on call/shift workers of 35-40, care for victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault in Clay, Geary, Marshall, Pottawatomie, and Riley Counties and Fort Riley.
“When I was a teenager, my cousin was murdered by her fiancé. We saw no signs of this coming. In college, I decided to make a difference so others would not have to experience what my cousin did. That became my ‘Why’ as in why I do what I do, what is my purpose in life? Every morning when I get ready to start my day I look at my cousin’s picture to remind me,” Kathy stated.
The Crisis Center was created in 1979 after concerned community members concluded that existing services for victims of intimate partner violence and rape were inadequate. The Center offers free, confidential assistance for victims and their children with 24-hour hotlines; 24-hour crisis intervention; safe shelter; advocacy; case management; support groups and supportive counseling. The Center also provides educational programs to churches, schools and civic groups and specialized training to professional associations and employee groups. Kathy told club members that “the Crisis Center is funded by grants and private donations.” She also added that not only are women served, but also men who have been victims as boys or as adults.
The Center is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Mrs. Ray stated that “in 2021 there were 2, 778 face to face contacts and 2, 557 individuals who spent the night in a sheltered situation.” The Crisis Center, Inc. contact is 1-800-727-2785.