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Founded in 2017 by the nonprofit TRL Productions, BexarFest pairs high school media production teams from Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, Kendall, Medina and Wilson counties with local nonprofit organizations to create outreach media for the nonprofit to use in its marketing campaigns.  The videos are entered into a contest and winners are chosen in several categories. The Rape Crisis Center and NESA teamed up and won the Most Creative award.     See coverage on News 4SA. Check out all the 2020 Bexar Fest entries.

Kevin Kopplinger (Bear) This past year has been one of recognition for Bear. He was recognized by his employer, Nationwide Insurance, for being an outstanding volunteer. He also received the President’s Volunteer Service Award and the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault. Nominations for this award are received from all over Texas and we are incredibly excited that Bear was selected as this year’s awardee! Bear has been a dedicated, compassionate and thoughtful member of the RCC family for well over a year now and has done an enormous amount of work in that time; providing continuous support, care and time to the multiple programs within the agency and the communities we serve. He has spent many evenings and weekends doing community outreach; hospital advocacy; and walking neighborhoods handing out information to residents and businesses on missing persons and human trafficking. He’s shared his experiences as a volunteer at RCC events; and participated in review and assessment of RCC fundraising efforts. He’s been on the United Way Campaign for Nationwide ever since he started 8 years ago and has plugged the RCC’s work every chance he gets. Every few days, Kevin comes to the […]

The Rape Crisis Center would like to send our heartfelt condolences to the friends and family of a past volunteer, Patsy Frew. Patsy was a volunteer for The Rape Crisis Center for many years, and she will be missed. You can see her full obituary HERE. In lieu of flowers the family has asked that you donate to The Rape Crisis Center.

Public Education Coordinator Kimberly Berry is leading an educational group for parents and guardians of youth who have been or are at risk of being sex trafficked and are currently residing at Krier Correctional Facility. This group meets on Tuesday mornings for six weeks at The Rape Crisis Center. Each week, Kim covers topics including: sexual abuse Consent Adult privilege Minors rights Rape culture Boundaries Goal-setting While this group targets specific adults, Kim stated, “I wish every parent could hear the topics we discuss in group.” Through presentations, informal discussion, and thought-provoking activities, Kim provides tools that parents and guardians can use to improve their relationship with youth in their lives. Interested in more information about our Education Services? Click here to learn more.

Volunteer Spotlight This month, we would like to spotlight one of our amazing volunteers, Ryan Bird. Ryan has been volunteering with us since January 2016, and has given this agency a total of 275.75 volunteer hours! Ryan has primarily volunteered as a hospital advocate, but has also helped with outreach events, as well as special events, like our Prevention Loteria night (pictured above). In addition to being a husband and father, Ryan is also a Victim’s Advocate in the United States Coast Guard. This June, he will be moving to Alaska to complete his service with the Coast Guard. We wish Ryan and his family safe travels, and are incredibly grateful for all the time and energy he has given to survivors, and to this agency. Thank you Ryan! Interested in making a change like Ryan? Click here to learn more about volunteering.

We are extremely proud to announce that one of our own, Ethel Magaña-Lopez has been awarded a community-based project grant through the City of San Antonio (COSA) Grant Challenge at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). Ethel has served as a Crisis Intervention Specialist at The Rape Crisis Center since April 2015. Not only does Ethel work hard supporting survivors at our center, but she goes above and beyond to pursue projects like this grant in her own time that she knows will greatly help our community. This isn’t just a 9-5 job for Ethel and her passion for this work is evident. She is utilizing her voice and tenacity to reach out and make an impact for an underserved population. We are certain this is only one of many accomplishments that Ethel will achieve through her journey in community based work. The COSA Grant Challenge District 8 Councilman Ron Nirenberg collaborated with Center for Civic Engagement at UTSA to initiate a mini grant program for service learning projects. The COSA Challenge Grant Program was launched to provide students with the opportunity to engage with non-profit agencies and positively impact the community through mutually beneficial learning experiences. Students […]

Press Conference to be held on April 17, 2016 at 10:30 AM outside on steps of San Antonio City Hall Each year during the month of April, government agencies, community-based organizations, rape crisis centers, universities and individuals participate in Sexual Assault Awareness & Prevention Month (SAAPM), a campaign to raise public awareness about sexual assault crimes and educate the community on how to prevent it.   “Sexual assault is a crime that significantly impacts the City of San Antonio. The Rape Crisis Center responds to 2 to 3 new assaults every day and 50 percent of those incidents are against minors,” says Miriam Elizondo, Executive Director of The Rape CrisisCenter.   In Texas, 1 in 5 men and 2 in 5 women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime.  According to the U.S. Department of Justice Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) statistics for San Antonio, there were 1,190 sexual assaults reported to law enforcement.  Yet a 2015 statewide research report by the University of Texas at Austin shows that in Texas, only 9.2% of victims are reporting their assaults.   The Rape Crisis Center in San Antonio provides intervention, counseling, and advocacy services to children and adult victims of all forms […]

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 […]

SAN ANTONIO – A state lawmaker wants to use crowdfunding to help end the rape kit backlog. But instead of using a site like GoFundMe, Texans would have the option to donate during the driver licensing process. “Rape Crisis Center hotline,” says an operator answering the phone at nonprofit’s main office on San Antonio’s northwest side. From the first phone call, the staff there helps sexual assault victims get through the painful journey. “A lot of times when we meet them at the hospital, they’re numb. They’re in shock,” says deputy director Deana Franks. “Part of that is processing that kit. I feel that it shows that we believe something happened to them.” To test those kits, the state is setting aside $4.29 million in the next budget. But a Dallas-area lawmaker says it’s not enough. “That funding does not cover the gap because we have a huge rape kit backlog of thousands and thousands of untested rape kits,” says State Rep. Victoria Neave (D – Mesquite). She proposes that when you apply for or renew your driver license, you would have the option to donate a dollar or more. “It would be completely voluntary,” State Rep. Neave says. She […]

Experts say we’re seeing a rise in violent crime here in San Antonio. Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar says the increase is consistent with an increase in crime on a national level. Dozens of concerned women are taking part in a self-defense seminar hosted by the Rape Crisis Center the techniques they learned that could save their life. “It’s going to look real, it’s going to feel real, and it’s going to be real,” said Pete Hardy, an instructor at STW Krav Maga. Hundreds of women, of all ages and backgrounds, learned from martial arts experts how they can improve their personal safety. “If I’m in a situation where I get attacked I’m not really sure what I would do so I’m just trying to be more prepared,” said Olivia Michael, who was attending the class for the first time. In Bexar County, the Rape Crisis Center says they receive an average of three phone calls to assist with new assaults each day. The center hopes training classes like the one held on Saturday will prevent future violent crimes. “We of course want to emphasize that if you didn’t fight back that is in no way your fault,” said Brittany […]