We Are Here For You
Whether you're seeking support, resources, or just someone to talk to, our team is here to help.
Resilience
Chicago Rape Crisis Hotline
RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network)
Our Resilience
Founded in 1974, Resilience (formerly Rape Victim Advocates) has been on the front lines of working with survivors of sexual violence. Although much has changed since 1974, the need for our services has not. In fact, it has increased, expanding the need and scope of the services we provide. We continue to work with survivors of sexual violence. However, our work now addresses the entire spectrum of sexual violence, including harassment, abuse, and prevention, with an additional focus on public education and institutional advocacy.
As we continue to embrace transformative change, we are committed to rigorously assessing and strengthening all aspects of our organization—including our mission, vision, and values—ensuring we are prepared to thrive. We are excited to share with you— through collaboration with our board of directors, associate board members, and staff— our new mission statement:
Our Mission
To end rape culture and empower sexual assault survivors through advocacy, education, and healing.
Our Vision
A world without sexual violence.
Our Guiding Principles
- We are committed to the prevention of sexual violence, and provide client-centered and trauma informed services.
- We are respectful, honest, empathetic, and sensitive in our interactions.
- We provide a healthy, diverse, and inclusive organizational culture that encourages and supports staff and volunteers in furthering our mission.
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We work with survivors of sexual violence and their loved ones, and are committed to assuring our services are accessible to survivors from marginalized and disempowered communities.
- We advocate for the accountability of individuals, institutions, and communities who have a responsibility to those impacted by sexual violence, and work to influence positive change in other systems.
- We provide education and promote prevention regarding sexual violence and rape culture.
- We are intentional in our support for and understanding of the intersection of all oppressions, and how they have contributed to rape culture.
- We transform forward-thinking ideas into tangible actions.
- We promote safe spaces and make the community for survivors wider.
- We strive to work alongside communities in a collaborative and community-centered manner that is founded on the understanding that communities and individuals are the experts of their own needs and experiences.
Make A Difference
When you make a gift to Resilience, you join hundreds of other supporters who are dedicated to our mission and to our vision.
“My eyes and soul could finally see the life I was designed to live. I felt confident, empowered, encouraged and finally in control of my life. I know that none of this would have been possible without Resilience.”
