Rape Response Annual Report 2019

ANNUAL REPORT OCT. 2019 - SEPT. 2020
Published February 2021
A PERSONAL NOTE FROM BILINGUAL
ADVOCATE, LAURA RODRIGUEZ
I remember March 13th, 2020 as if it were yesterday;
news declaring a state of emergency due to the COVID-
19 pandemic. The unknown was frightening. Survivors
were already dealing with the trauma they experienced
& COVID-19 added layers of new struggles unrelated to
their sexual trauma. Survivors who were sick with
COVID-19 had increased expenses due to having the virus, their hours were
cut or lost their jobs. These families were wrestling with how to feed their
children, pay rent or make it to the end of the month without going hungry or
becoming homeless. As an agency, with help from new & existing community
partners & donors, we were able to step up & help our survivors. (See
enclosure)
Mission
Rape Response serves as a
system of support, advocacy
& education providing services
to the community & survivors
of sexual assault while
safeguarding the dignity of
each person served.
Our role as advocates is to provide support, crisis intervention,
accompaniment with medical, judicial & law enforcement, counseling,
information & advocacy for survivors of sexual trauma, helping them to feel
less alone & more empowered as they work towards healing. One day we
were advocates working in an office, the next we were working from home,
providing emotional support to survivors, finding resources & services to meet
increased needs while homeschooling our own children & dealing with empty
supermarket shelves, trying to maintain our own sanity & keep our families
safe. On March 13th, our role expanded to include supporting survivors to
meet emergency needs that arose due to the pandemic. We worked tirelessly
to ensure that families had access to resources to meet their basic needs. As
an agency, we succeeded in supporting survivors through uncertain times. I
am glad to report some survivors returned to work & are doing better.
However, COVID-19 is still negatively affecting many of the families we serve.
We continue to provide support to those healing from sexual trauma & we
remain aware of additional challenges due to the pandemic. Adapting to the
new reality has not been easy. But, because of the struggles, we’ve been able
to see more than just a job title in our peers. I believe that as professionals &
as a community, we have grown. I saw selflessness & compassion from our
community as they went above & beyond to support our survivors. We created
new & stronger partnerships with many agencies because we saw the
vulnerability of one another & of the ongoing needs of survivors. I believe we
all became more caring & thoughtful in 2020. My hope is that 2021 will help us
continue to grow professionally & personally & that our faithful support of one
another will provide encouragement as we move forward in our work.
The Copyright Office of the
United States warranted
copyright protection for the Let’s
Talk© programs created by RR,
deeming the programs were
informative & provided
education, outreach &
awareness to adolescents &
adults. Let’s Talk© consists of
programs for middle & high
school students, at-risk youth,
parents & educators.
"All of you are blessings to
people who have been
through what I went
through. I am so glad
someone was there and
able to talk to me when I
called."
Survivor
Free & Confidential - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 770-503-7273 or 1-800-721-1999 www.raperesponse.com

MORE THAN A CRISIS LINE...
Rape Response is a nonprofit agency providing 24/7 services to sexual assault
survivors, ages 13 & older, in Dawson, Forsyth, Habersham, Hall, Lumpkin &
White counties. Advocacy in action for fiscal year 2019-2020 included:
710 survivors & their loved ones were supported by
RRI staff & volunteers
515 New Crisis Calls & 5,010 Follow Up Crisis
Calls provided survivors with information, resources
& emotional support to address sexual trauma
Our Licensed Professional Counselor provided 707
Individual Therapy sessions & facilitated 50
Support Group sessions
Advocates supported survivors during 309 Crisis
Intervention sessions, equipping them with
essential tools needed on their path to healing
Personal Advocacy helped survivors to navigate
health care, law enforcement, criminal justice, Title IX
& other social service agencies 5,069
Information & Referrals connected survivors to
community resources for continued support &
healing 1,048
Court Accompaniment supported survivors during
trial & court proceedings 98 days
Medical Accompaniment Due to COVID-19 restrictions,
advocates were not able to provide in person support to
every survivor so, NGMC Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners
(SANE) connected us with survivors after each Forensic
Medical Exam 55
Aftercare Referrals & Information offered survivors
health care exams for STI's; paid for by RRI & provided by
local health departments 55
Let's Talk © Programs were provided to 12,326 middle
school students, 2,019 high school students, 16 students in
special education classrooms, 135 at-risk youth, 70 parents
& 39 educators
College Advocacy & Outreach was provided at 59 events
to 2,748 students, faculty & staff at 6 colleges/universities
across 8 campuses
Collaborations participated in interagency engagement
opportunities to benefit survivors with 90 agencies & over
8,600 participants
Spring 2020 Volunteer Training
Top L-R: Angelica Martin, Dominique Allen,
Susan Hosford, Jannet Q-King, Quiniyah
Rucker; Bottom L-R: Samie Smith, Gale
Adams & Kayla Garbutt
CURRENT VOLUNTEER ROSTER
Dominique Allen
Melissa Conti
Marjorie Cunningham
Nancy Dickinson
Ashlynn Echols
Jaira Falcon*
Susan Hosford
Abby Kelly
Angelica Martin*
Susan Medrow
Kelly Peter
Jannet Quackenbush-King
Crystal Reitsma*
Lauren Ringwall
Stephanie Roberts
Quiniyah Rucker
Investigator Richard Stein teaching
incoming RRI volunteers about the
investigation process & how
volunteers can support survivors.
*Spanish Speaker
Adriana Sanchez
Aiesha Smith
Ashley Smith
Samie Smith
Taylor Sorrells
Jillian Underwood
Emerald Williams
Fall 2019 Volunteer Training
L-R: Jillian Underwood, Susan Medrow,
Laura Rodriguez, Adriana Sanchez, Gale
Adams, Emerald Williams, Taylor Sorrells,
Lauren Ringwall
CRISIS CALL RESPONDERS
Kalia Jordan
Addrienne Session
Sarah Strzemienski
Ashley Sullins
*Crisis Call Responders are experienced volunteers
who contract with RRI to provide crisis line back up
on nights, weekends & holidays.

EVENTS AND UPDATES
NEW BOARD MEMBERS
Welcome our newest Rape Response
Board Members! Pictured L-R: Amanda
Lammers, Vice President for Student
Services from Brenau University;
Natasha Alvarado, RN-SANE from
Northeast Georgia Medical Center &
Deputy Chief Kevin Gaddis at
Gainesville Police Department.
BOARD MEMBERS
Top L-R: Carol Martin, Melissa King, Leigh
Stallings-Wood, Sally Walden-Crowe, Monica
Hayman, Amanda Lammers, Kevin Gaddis, Chris
Gailey, John Walden, Jeremy Perry, Sean
McCusker, Trey Wood; Bottom L-R: Laura Major,
Alyson Paul, Debbie Edwards, Ashton Meeks,
Natasha Alvarado, Wanda Vance, Shelly Martin &
Jeanne Buffington.
Not pictured: Kris Brown, Gail Lane Seabolt, Carol
Shirley, Elisabeth Vaughan & Camille Viera
INTERNS
Fall 2020 Interns
L-R: Stephanie Roberts (Georgia
State University) & Abby Kelley
(University of North Georgia)
"Thank you so much. You moved her dad to tears how helpful & caring you are."
Mother of a survivor
Free & Confidential - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 770-503-7273 or 1-800-721-1999 www.raperesponse.com

JUNIOR LEAGUE
DONATION
This year, RRI became an official
partner agency with the Diaper Bank
of North Georgia, run by The Junior
League of Gainesville-Hall County.
This partnership allows us to order
free diapers each quarter to share
with the survivors we serve.
NEW STAFF
Meet our newest staff members:
Rebeca Ruelas (left) is the new
Volunteer Program Director & Kylie
McGuire (right) is our new Outreach &
Awareness Advocate. Welcome!
RAPE RESPONSE STAFF
Top L-R: Kylie McGuire, Erica Autry,
Rebeca Ruelas, Phoenix Garland,
Jeanne Buffington, Laura Rodriguez;
Bottom L-R: Angel Jackson, Ariel
Donaldson & Jen Tarnowski
We are so proud of the survivors we serve & feel honored to walk with them
on their healing journey.
"There was a time when I truly
believed that the sexual assaults I
had endured were somehow my
fault. I lived in a constant state of
shame, guilt, and fear."
"Somebody hugged me & told me that
it was going to be okay for the
first time. The ladies at RR showed me
that while my past was
shattered, my future could be whole."
Sam, a survivor supported by RRI,
pictured with Advocacy Director Jen
Tarnowski (right)
*Survivor's name & picture shared with permission

DONOR FAMILY
Grants
Criminal Justice Coordinating
Council/State
Georgia Healthy Family Alliance
Habersham EMC Foundation, Inc.
Junior League of Gainesville - Hall
County
North Georgia Community
Foundation Impact Grant
North Georgia Community
Foundation COVID-19 Relief
Emergency Grant
Sexual Assault Services Program
(SASP)
The MFS Foundation Fund at the
North Georgia Community
Foundation
The Nathan-Schrage Fund at the
North Georgia Community
Foundation
United Way:
Dawson, Forsyth, Greater Atlanta,
Habersham, Hall & White County
Victims of Crime Act (VOCA)
Churches
First Presbyterian Church♥
Grace Episcopal Church♥
Local Government
Gainesville, Habersham, Hall,
Lumpkin & White (5% Funds)
Hall County Government
Business & Community
Organizations
Adults Protecting Children♥
CABDEM Enterprises
I.S Consulting*
Kroger
Network For Good - Facebook
donations
Pinkaloo Charitable
TLC Childcare♥
Thaddeus M. Garland, MD, LLC♥
Honorariums
Harry Chapman♥ in honor of Sean
McCusker, Jeff & Jen Tarnowski
Miles & Sharon Coker♥ in honor of
Jeanne Buffington
Julia & John Cromartie♥ in honor
of Wendy Glasbrenner
Garrett Davis in honor of Brandon
Davis
Harrison Figura in honor of Lillian
June Figura ♥
Karen Hewitt & Tommy Smith♥ In
honor of Brianna Burgess
Sheriff Janis Mangum in honor of
Margaret & Pam Ward
Steve & Kittie Ross♥ in honor of
Jeanne Buffington, Terri Comer,
Evette Dale, Tammy Green, Lisa
Lyle, Zack Murry, Kathy Palmer,
Lucy Seabolt, Elaine Wade, Kay
Walker & Amy Wethington
Marta Shelton in honor of Wendy
Glasbrenner
Individuals
Anonymous♥
Adams♥
Gale
Sheryl Barrett
Biondi♥
Danielle
John & Broaddus♥
Jane
Ellen Corinne Briggs
Kristine Brown*
Pat & Ron Brown*
Wanda ♥ Bryant
Sherry Bryant*
Buffington♥
Jeanne
David & Burroughs♥
Margie
Abigail Carter*
Linda Chandler*
Kelly Claudon*
Steve & Collins♥
Karen
Miles & Coker♥
Sharon
Cole♥
Susan
Sheriff Couch♥
Gerald
Daniel♥
Jefferey
Tina De Waart
Oscar B. Jr.♥ Fears,
Ron & Fritchley♥
Martha
Frost♥
Karen
Kayla Garbutt*
Glasbrenner♥
Wendy
Hayman♥
Monica
Hewitt♥
Karen
Hosford♥
Susan
David & Hughs♥
Shannon
Ginger Imperiale
Angel & Bernard Jackson*
Carol Jackson
Kaylar Jackson
Tomika Jackson*
Melissa King
Nicole Klein*
Jessica Ledbetter
Laura Major♥
Shori Maglio
Darren & Shelly Martin♥
Carol Martin♥
Sean McCusker♥
Ashton Meeks♥
Felton Melton
Alyson Paul♥
Jeremy Perry♥
Judith Reece♥
Joe & Caryl Roark♥
Rhett & Amy Roark
Laura & Marco Rodriguez*
Dorothy Russ
Karen Russ
Lucy Seabolt
Laurie Spiess♥
William Smith
Leigh Stallings-Wood
Stacy & Rick Stetson♥
Jen & Jeff Tarnowski*♥
Vince Tillirson
Linda Townley♥
Wanda Vance♥
Elisabeth Vaughan
Camille Viera♥
John & Janet Walden♥
Sally Walden-Crowe♥
Taylor Ward*
Steve & Lisa Warwick
Heather Welborn*
Laura & Bobby Staub
Stott Williams♥
Sally Wise
Trey Wood♥
Memorials
Karen Hewitt & Tommy Smith♥ in
memory of Brianna Burgess
Steve & Kittie Ross♥ in memory
of Helen Ross & Hazel
Propes
James Sargent♥ in memory of
Constance M. Sargent
♥ Donors giving $100 or more
* In-kind goods or service

Thanks to generous donors and grant support, RRI was able to provide food
boxes, diapers, formula, hygiene products, household items, rent & utilities to
survivors in need during the COVID-19 pandemic. PPE & cleaning supplies were
also donated, enabling RRI advocates to safely support survivors.
"I am more than blessed
and thankful. I do not have
words to thank you all for
what you have done for my
children and me. God will
recompense you big,
because HIS word says it:
you give to the poor and
you are giving to God. God
is using you to bless
others."
Survivor after receiving
a food box
Partnerships, Donors & Grant Support
During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Amerigroup
Chestnut Mountain Church & Preschool
Chattahoochee Baptist Association
Chicopee Woods Baptist Church
Department of Public Health
Dorca's Place
Edmondson Telford Center
Family Promise of Hall County
First Baptist of Gainesville
Gainesville Methodist Church
Gateway Domestic Violence Center
Georgia Mountain Food Bank
Georgia Mountain YMCA
Goods 360
Georgia Healthy Family Alliance Grant
Good News Clinic
Grace Episcopal Church
Hispanic Alliance
Humane Society of Northeast Georgia
Lake Lanier Association
Lamp Ministries
No One Alone (NOA) Domestic Violence
Center
North Georgia Community Foundation
COVID-19 Relief Emergency Grant
North Georgia Diaper Bank
North Georgia Food Bank
Old Fourth Distillery
Period.org
Saint Vincent De Paul
The Place of Forsyth
TLC Daycare
United Way of Hall County
University of North Georgia
Health Clinic
Individuals:
Anonymous Donors
Gale Adams
Sherry Bryant
Abigail Carter
Linda Chandler
Kelly Claudon
Kayla Garbutt
David & Shannon Hughs
Angel & Bernard Jackson
Nicole Klein
Laura & Marco Rodriguez
Stacy & Rick Stetson
Jen & Jeff Tarnowski
Taylor Ward
Heather Welborn
It is a privilege to work alongside dedicated staff, volunteers, collaborative & community partners
through all of the pandemic ups & downs. As our lives are disrupted, as we meet new challenges &
as we continue to deliver 24/7 services to survivors of sxual assault, I want to say Thank You for the
role you play in the work we do each day!

PRESENTATIONS AND
COLLABORATIONS
Amerigroup
Adults Protecting Children
Beautiful Feet
Caminar Latino
Children's Center for Hope and Healing
Circle of Hope Domestic Violence Center
Colleges: Lanier Technical College & North
Georgia Technical College
Cumming Women's Center
Department of Family & Children’s Services
District Two Public Health
District Attorney & Solicitor’s Offices
Domestic Violence Task Forces: Dawson,
Forsyth, Hall, Lumpkin & Mountain
Edmonson Telford Center
Earnest Love, Inc.
Family Connections
Family Haven of Forsyth
Forsyth Chamber of Commerce
Forsyth County Child Sexual Abuse
Prevention Initiative
Gainesville First United Methodist Church
Preschool
Gateway Academy
Gateway Domestic Violence Center
Georgia Legal Services
Georgia Mountain Food Bank
Girl Power 2020
Good News Clinic
Good Shepherd Church Youth Group
Habersham Chamber of Commerce
Hall & Forsyth County Juvenile Courts
Hall County Rotary
Hispanic Alliance
Humane Society of Northeast Georgia
MedLink
No One Alone (NOA)
North Georgia Diaper Bank
North Georgia Community Foundation
(NGCF)
North Georgia Pregnancy Service Center
One Love
Period.org
Regional Youth Detention Center (RYDC)
Ser Familia
Saint Luke’s Catholic Church
Saint Pius High School
School Systems in Dawson, Forsyth,
Habersham, Hall, Lumpkin & White Counties
Sheriff’s Offices & Police Departments
South Enotah Child Advocacy Center
The Wild Flower Organization
United Way
Universities: Brenau, Piedmont, Truett
McConnell & University of North Georgia
BRITTANY PIRRELLO
DAWSON FAMILY NIGHT
PHOENIX GARLAND AT
VOLUNTEER TRAINING

P. O. Box 2883 • Gainesville, Georgia 30503 • www.raperesponse.com
770-503-7273 • CRISIS Line Outside Hall County 1-800-721-1999 • Fax 678-928-4209
NON-PROFIT
ORGANIZATION
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Gainesville, GA 30501
Permit #82
Dawson*Forsyth*Habersham*Hall*White
FINANCIAL OVERVIEW
REVENUE – $777,278
United Ways
$44,731
Federal/State Grants
$595,953
County Government
$34,375
Donors, Events & In-Kind
$98,911
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Executive Committee 2021
President
Vice President
Past President
Secretary
Treasurer
Melissa King
Sally Walden-Crowe
Sean McCusker
Leigh Stallings-Wood
Jeremy Perry
Members-at-Large
EXPENSES – $741,543
Administration
$54,691
Survivor Services & Outreach
$686,852
Natasha Alvarado
Kris Brown
Wanda Bryant*
Debbie Edwards
Kevin Gaddis
Chris Gailey
Monica Hayman
Amanda Lammers
Gail Lane-Seabolt
Laura Major
*Rotated off board
Free & Confidential - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 770-503-7273 or 1-800-721-1999
Carol Martin
Shelly Martin
Ashton Meeks
Alyson Paul
Carol Shirley
Wanda Vance
Elisabeth Vaughan*
Camille Viera
Sally Walden-Crowe
John Walden*
Trey Wood
www.raperesponse.com