In Fiscal Year 2025
0
Clients Served
0
Students Who Received Prevention Education
Our Partners
Mission
The Support, Advocacy & Resource Center’s (SARC) mission is to provide trauma informed crisis services, support and advocacy to victims/survivors, non-offending family members, and others who are impacted by crime. We strive to create and maintain a community without violence through prevention-based education.
Philosophy Statement
SARC was founded on the belief that no one should face violence alone. Beginning with advocacy for survivors of sexual assault, our work has grown to support those impacted by all forms of crime, recognizing that trauma ripples through families and communities. We affirm the right of every survivor to make their own choices about safety, justice, and recovery. We are committed to cultural humility, equity, and inclusion in all that we do - ensuring services are accessible and responsive to every person, regardless of background or circumstance. Our philosophy is rooted in hope: by standing with survivors and educating our community, we can create a future free from violence and oppression.
History
In 1977 concerned women in the Tri-Cities met to establish a support program for victims of sexual assault. In September 1977, a support program, staffed by volunteer advocates, began to serve Benton and Franklin Counties as a part of the Mid-Columbia Mental Health Center. It provided professional staff funded by federal monies.
In 1981 federal monies were no longer available and the Center had to discontinue the service. In December, 1981, the Benton-Franklin Rape Relief and Sexual Assault Program was incorporated and funded by United Way of Benton and Franklin Counties and located at the Mid-Columbia Mental Health Center.
In 1986 the Benton-Franklin Rape Relief and Sexual Assault Program was moved to 640 Jadwin, Suite D in Richland.
In 1990, to better express the work of the program, the agency's name was changed to the Sexual Assault Response Center, or SARC.
In July 2000, the Kids Haven program became operational. SARC moved facilities to 830 North Columbia Center Blvd. Suite H, to accommodate this new partnership with local city and county governments.
In 2012 the name of the agency was changed to "Support, Advocacy & Resource Center" to better reflect the varied clientele the Center serves; not only victim of sexual violence but also identity theft, homicide, child physical abuse, elder abuse, assault, gang violence, fraud and human trafficking. The new name also better positions the agency to expand programs in the future.
In June 2017 we moved to our new facility to better meet the needs of our community. An onsite counseling program was added, along with designated staff to work with survivors of sex trafficking.
Staff
Executive Director - JoDee Garretson, mailto: jgarretson@supportadvocacyresourcecenter.com
Office Administrator - Yolanda Stohel
Clinical Director - Anna Hahn
Program Director of Client Services and Prevention - Rosanna Herrera Brown
Crisis Program Lead Advocate - Judit Medina
General Crimes Advocate - Bibiana Juarez
Sexual Assault Advocate - Veronica Simmons
Sexual Assault Advocate - Brianna Albrecht
Sexual Assault Advocate -Tomasa Riojas
Human Trafficking and Exploitation Advocate - Gabriella Covarrubias
Engagement Specialist - Howard Hunt
Prevention Specialist Program Lead - Denise Martin
Prevention Specialist - Katie Sheets
Board of Directors
President - Jeff Escalera
Vice President - Adam Austin
Secretary - Heather Purcell
Treasurer - Christopher Mortensen
Member at Large - Mary Dover
Members - Leslie Sievers, Camille Meyer, Monty Huber, Jon Shelby, Kersten Bergstrom, Jeff Groce, Stephanie Barnard, Josh Liston
The Support, Advocacy & Resource Center’s (SARC) mission is to provide trauma informed crisis services, support and advocacy to victims/survivors, non-offending family members, and others who are impacted by crime. We strive to create and maintain a community without violence through prevention-based education.
Philosophy Statement
SARC was founded on the belief that no one should face violence alone. Beginning with advocacy for survivors of sexual assault, our work has grown to support those impacted by all forms of crime, recognizing that trauma ripples through families and communities. We affirm the right of every survivor to make their own choices about safety, justice, and recovery. We are committed to cultural humility, equity, and inclusion in all that we do - ensuring services are accessible and responsive to every person, regardless of background or circumstance. Our philosophy is rooted in hope: by standing with survivors and educating our community, we can create a future free from violence and oppression.
History
In 1977 concerned women in the Tri-Cities met to establish a support program for victims of sexual assault. In September 1977, a support program, staffed by volunteer advocates, began to serve Benton and Franklin Counties as a part of the Mid-Columbia Mental Health Center. It provided professional staff funded by federal monies.
In 1981 federal monies were no longer available and the Center had to discontinue the service. In December, 1981, the Benton-Franklin Rape Relief and Sexual Assault Program was incorporated and funded by United Way of Benton and Franklin Counties and located at the Mid-Columbia Mental Health Center.
In 1986 the Benton-Franklin Rape Relief and Sexual Assault Program was moved to 640 Jadwin, Suite D in Richland.
In 1990, to better express the work of the program, the agency's name was changed to the Sexual Assault Response Center, or SARC.
In July 2000, the Kids Haven program became operational. SARC moved facilities to 830 North Columbia Center Blvd. Suite H, to accommodate this new partnership with local city and county governments.
In 2012 the name of the agency was changed to "Support, Advocacy & Resource Center" to better reflect the varied clientele the Center serves; not only victim of sexual violence but also identity theft, homicide, child physical abuse, elder abuse, assault, gang violence, fraud and human trafficking. The new name also better positions the agency to expand programs in the future.
In June 2017 we moved to our new facility to better meet the needs of our community. An onsite counseling program was added, along with designated staff to work with survivors of sex trafficking.
Staff
Executive Director - JoDee Garretson, mailto: jgarretson@supportadvocacyresourcecenter.com
Office Administrator - Yolanda Stohel
Clinical Director - Anna Hahn
Program Director of Client Services and Prevention - Rosanna Herrera Brown
Crisis Program Lead Advocate - Judit Medina
General Crimes Advocate - Bibiana Juarez
Sexual Assault Advocate - Veronica Simmons
Sexual Assault Advocate - Brianna Albrecht
Sexual Assault Advocate -Tomasa Riojas
Human Trafficking and Exploitation Advocate - Gabriella Covarrubias
Engagement Specialist - Howard Hunt
Prevention Specialist Program Lead - Denise Martin
Prevention Specialist - Katie Sheets
Board of Directors
President - Jeff Escalera
Vice President - Adam Austin
Secretary - Heather Purcell
Treasurer - Christopher Mortensen
Member at Large - Mary Dover
Members - Leslie Sievers, Camille Meyer, Monty Huber, Jon Shelby, Kersten Bergstrom, Jeff Groce, Stephanie Barnard, Josh Liston