The History of Zacharias Center (LaCASA)
In August, 1981, the Advisory Board and Coordinating Council of Lake County Health Department formed a Rape Victim Advocacy Task Force to study the need for rape victim advocacy services in Lake County. Original Task Force members represented agencies, both public and private, which were involved or potentially interested in providing services to rape victims. The Task Force began meeting in January, 1982 and concluded its needs assessment one year later. Their findings documented that current services to rape victims in Lake County were inadequate and fragmented.
Incorporated in April, 1983 as a non-profit organization, LaCASA spent the next year developing organization structure, training, policies, and procedures. In September, 1983, LaCASA was accepted as a member of ICASA (Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault) and granted funding. Twenty-four hour Hotline and Medical Advocacy service began in February, 1984, as well as Community Education and Professional Training programs. In 1985, LaCASA expanded service to sexual assault survivors and their families. Community Education and Professional Training increased and became more refined with the training of a Speakers Bureau and targeted solicitation of speaking engagements. In June, LaCASA received a grant from the Violent Crime Victims Assistance Fund. In July, LaCASA was accepted as a member of United Way of Lake County, and an Executive Director was hired in August. The Waukegan office opened that summer and a Secretary/Bookkeeper was added in October.
In February of 1986, a Program Coordinator was added to the staff and a support group opened for adult rape survivors. March saw the initiation of the Child Assault Prevention (CAP) Program. A Community Education Coordinator was hired in May to supervise that program and to meet the increasing need for Community Education/Prevention training. In July a Criminal Justice Liaison was added to the staff.
In August, 1987, LaCASA held its first significant (& successful) fundraising event. In October, the Chief Judge closed the courts to support LaCASA's first court seminar, held to encourage sensitive victim treatment among judges, state's attorneys and other court services personnel. In November, 1988, a full-time Counselor was added to the LaCASA staff and in March, 1989, a full-time Business Manager joined the LaCASA team as well. A full-time Secretary/Receptionist joined the LaCASA staff in April, 1989 to facilitate smooth office operations. In February of 1991, a part-time CAP Specialist and full-time Children's Counselor were added to help facilitate LaCASA's comprehensive children's services. The addition of a Resource Development Coordinator position in March, 1991, afforded LaCASA the opportunity to expand its funding sources.
With the help of the Zacharias Foundation in 1990, LaCASA enhanced and expanded its Children's Program. The therapeutic intervention it offers has assisted children in healing from traumatic pain and interrupted development. Children can flourish in an environment where they are listened to, believed, respected, accepted, nurtured, and loved.
The Lake County Council Against Sexual Assault is an organization dedicated to providing services for sexual assault and sexual abuse survivors in Lake County. Since its inception in 1983, LaCASA has provided services for survivors of rape; male and female, child and adult. Every community in Lake County has been touched by the epidemic of sexual assault and incest, and we have worked fervently to assist these communities by offering a comprehensive program to all victims and their families.
Zacharias Center has grown from a grassroots, volunteer-based organization to a multifaceted agency comprised of a committed Board of Directors, professional staff, and trained volunteers. Zacharias's constantly growing services presently include: 24-hour hotline; 24-hour medical and legal advocacy; individual and group counseling for survivors and their loved ones; training of professionals who work with victims (i.e., police, emergency room personnel, court services staff); children's counseling program; Child Assault Prevention (CAP) program in both Spanish and English throughout the Lake County School System; and community education which includes sexual assault awareness, risk reduction, and information on incest. We have expanded our service and outreach to the Spanish-speaking community with bicultural and bilingual staff members in the Community Education, Advocacy, and Clinical programs. Today, Zacharias Center is staffed by 16 full-time and 2 part-time employees along with 75-150 active volunteers.
Zacharias is always growing to meet the unrelenting demand for services for sexual assault survivors. In 1997, LaCASA and its family of supporters made it impossible for the community to deny the reality of sexual violence by building a comprehensive healing center for survivors. Zacharias makes services even more accessible to survivors through the very public and very candid statement that our center represents.