CCI’s Cathie Hammond named 2007 Outstanding Volunteer of the Year

The Indiana Coalition against Sexual Assault, Indiana Association of Forensic Nurses, Indiana Chapter of Child Advocacy, Latino Coalition against Domestic & Sexual Violence and Indiana Law Enforcement Academy set to honor Ms. Hammond on Wednesday, March 5, 2008 at the Adam's Mark Hotel and Conference Center during the Indiana State Conference on Sexual Violence, The Face of Change.

Cathie has been a very active volunteer for Crisis Connection for eighteen years which alone is pretty amazing, but wait, there’s much more!

Cathie donated 1,728 hours in just the last two years as an on-call volunteer advocate, and she has been on-call for over ten years. In this capacity she has responded to hospitals and police departments in the middle of the night, on weekends and holidays to provide a full range of services to the victims and survivors of sexual violence, their family and friends. She has never failed to handle these painful circumstances with professionalism, compassion and empathy.

Cathie’s commitment and dedication have enabled the advocacy staff to enjoy some much needed time off and peace of mind, knowing that she will always handle whatever comes along as well as they would have. This testament must not be taken lightly. Direct, sexual violence, client service is extremely difficult and stressful work. That Cathie, as a volunteer, has sought and excelled at it for so many years is remarkable and an astounding affirmation of her devotion to our collective cause…serving the survivors of sexual violence.

Cathie has also served on our Board of Directors for eighteen years, the last two years as our President. In this additional volunteer capacity she has served as our role model, mentor, agency ambassador and Queen of fund raising; truly the face of change…Cathie has never been bashful in singing our praises anywhere and everywhere.

She spearheaded our first annual Celebration of Courage brunch in October which raised thousands of new dollars to assist in funding our advocacy, outreach and education efforts on behalf of the victims and survivors of sexual violence. Save this Date reminders have already gone out for 2008.

Cathie has been a champion of our technology expansion, which among many other innovations has included the development of our website. Our website welcomed over 2 million visitors last year…a remarkable achievement by any measure as well as a tremendous opportunity to provide information that is clearly needed and sought far beyond our catchment area…she provided a courageous face of change.

Cathie approved and has vigorously supported our outreach and education work within the State prison system. Crisis Connection staff conduct classes with inmates at Branchville Correctional Facility encouraging sexual respect. Examples of the inmate’s commitment to ending sexual violence are on display at this conference…Cathie has demonstrated an innovative and brave face of change.

Cathie has donated her time in creating original art items and selling them at local and regional craft shows to raise funds for our work. She has loaded up and carted art items, created by staff and other volunteers, to her fulltime job- middle school media specialist- to sell to co-workers…rumor has it that she is extremely difficult to say no to! She has served as a creative face of change in finding novel ways to fund our work with sexual violence survivors.

There’s more…

She requests that friends and family forego giving special occasion gifts to her, asking instead that they donate to Crisis Connection…they do.

Since being elected as Board President, Cathie has hosted staff appreciation dinners, at her expense and time each year at her home, complete with china and crystal. A kindness that the staff has never before been honored with and, we love it!

She regularly facilitates staff in-services, presenting the FISH team building philosophy.

Cathie has facilitated survivor support groups.

She regularly solicits donations of supplies for hospital “rape kits” from friends, family and co-workers.

Cathie has, single handedly, been responsible for obtaining Crisis Connection’s access to school districts we were not previously involved with, thereby enabling us to talk with students about sexual responsibility and respect: a face of change.

She has, not only contributed a tremendous amount personally and financially to Crisis Connection but, perhaps even more important, has respected, supported and valued the staff. There is no price we can assign to this; her backing has been priceless and has redefined the role of a volunteer board member…a face of change.

Cathie is a gem, a treasure and an inspiration to every one of us.

We value, trust and prize Cathie.

There are so many people we all meet who could-have, should-have and would-have, but so few who just did. Cathie is a just did.