RDCF supports CASASC Help Line
The Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre (CASASC) recently received funding from the Red Deer & District Community Foundation (RDCF).
CASASC Executive Director Patricia Arango (middle right) and CASASC Crisis Support and SART Manager Erin Willmer (middle left) accepted the $10,000 spring grant funding from RDCF Executive Director Erin Peden (right) and RDCF Community Engagement Coordinator Danielle Stewart on May 31.
The grant awarded to CASASC supports the ongoing operation of the 24 Hour Sexual Violence Phone, Text and Webchat Help Line.
The help line is a community-driven support line available to anyone within the community, anytime of the day, who is affected by sexual violence. Anonymous, confidential support, information and referrals are provided through this volunteer-driven help line.
Whether you’ve recently experienced sexual violence, you are a friend of someone who has in the past, or you are a support person who has a question, trained volunteers are there to listen and support. They are here to connect with you where you are and empower you to your next steps towards healing. This line is available to anyone in need across Alberta 24 hours a day.
The help line provides around the clock support in real-time, assisting with immediate issues of stress, distress or triggers. Throughout the pandemic the help line saw a substantial increase – in December 2021 the help line saw a 45 per cent increase in demand for service compared to December 2020. Over the past year, the line responded to 1,654 unique calls for help.
The funds from the RDCF were generously given from the Spring grant cycle. RDCF we received a total of 31 applications, which is nearly double the amount of applications they typically receive. The total requested in grant applications was spread across various areas of focus for a total of $444,780 given out to the community.
