On this episode of Along the Rock, host Kierstyn Long welcomes Jessica Spohn, casework and advocacy manager, and Jill Sanders McFalls, director of crisis services, from the YWCA of the Sauk Valley. The conversation highlights the organization’s services, ongoing awareness efforts, and the importance of creating a safe, supportive environment for survivors throughout Lee and Whiteside counties.
Support and Services for Survivors
The YWCA of the Sauk Valley emphasizes education and awareness throughout the year, with additional outreach during October. Through social media, community partnerships, and public awareness campaigns, the organization works to address common misconceptions about domestic violence and encourage people to seek help when they need it.
One of the most important messages from the YWCA is that domestic violence can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, religion, or socioeconomic background. Although the organization’s name may lead some people to believe its services are exclusively for women, the YWCA supports women, men, children, older adults, and individuals from all walks of life.
The organization offers a range of services, including emergency shelter, legal advocacy, counseling, casework, and prevention programs. Staff members work directly with individuals to understand their circumstances, identify immediate concerns, and develop safety plans that help protect survivors and their children.
Spohn and Sanders McFalls recognize that asking for help can be one of the most difficult steps in the process. Survivors may struggle to acknowledge what is happening or feel uncertain about what to do next. The YWCA works to make that first step as welcoming and manageable as possible.
The organization also understands that seeking help does not always mean someone is ready to leave a situation immediately. Individuals may decide they are not ready to enter a shelter, begin counseling, or pursue legal protections. The YWCA respects those decisions and welcomes people back whenever they are ready to seek assistance.
The goal is to meet individuals where they are, empower them to make their own decisions, and provide support for as long as they need it.
How to Reach the YWCA of the Sauk Valley
The YWCA serves Lee and Whiteside counties, with its main office located at 412 First Avenue in downtown Sterling. The organization has been at this location for more than a century, with domestic violence services formally expanding in the 1980s alongside broader funding and support efforts.
The Sterling office allows individuals to walk in during office hours without an appointment to inquire about available services. The organization also operates a satellite office in Dixon, where appointments can be scheduled to make services more accessible throughout its service area.
For those who cannot safely visit an office or whose phone use may be monitored, staff members can discuss available options and help individuals determine a safe way to connect. The YWCA also operates domestic violence and sexual assault crisis services around the clock, including weekends and holidays.
Individuals can reach the crisis hotline at either of the following numbers:
- 815-626-7277
- 815-288-1011
Both numbers connect callers to the same service.
The YWCA also welcomes support people, such as friends and family members, who want to accompany someone seeking help. Friends and relatives concerned about a loved one can contact the organization for information and resources to better understand how to support them.
Beyond the Branches: Sharing Stories and Building Hope
A major part of the YWCA’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month campaign is Beyond the Branches, a traveling awareness exhibit featuring stories from survivors of domestic violence.
The exhibit includes accounts shared by survivors who have given permission for their stories to be told, along with the story of an individual who did not survive domestic violence, shared by a family member. The stories offer perspectives on the realities of abuse, the experiences of survivors, and the possibility of moving forward.
The exhibit serves as a reminder that domestic violence is not simply something seen in television shows or movies. It affects people in local communities, and its impact can reach families, friends, and entire support networks.
Throughout October, participating businesses in the area display posters featuring information about the campaign and QR codes that connect visitors to the stories and additional resources. The campaign also allows people to leave messages of encouragement and inspiration.
Those messages contribute to the YWCA’s Tree of Hope, which will ultimately be displayed in its domestic violence shelter. The tree represents the power of community support and the reassurance that survivors are not alone.
The campaign also provides an opportunity for community members to enter a drawing for a Domestic Violence Awareness Month T-shirt and learn more about the YWCA’s services.
Local Businesses Join the Awareness Effort
Local cafes and beverage businesses are also helping spread awareness by creating special drinks for October. The campaign brings community members into local establishments while providing opportunities to learn more about domestic violence and the services available to survivors.
Participating businesses include:
- Coffee Crush in Dixon, featuring the Berry Brave.
- Rockin’ Nutrition and Wellness in Dixon, featuring a drink called Safe.
- Warrior Nutrition in Sterling, featuring the Survivor.
- Sophie’s Cafe, featuring the Violet Victory.
- Airplay in Sterling, featuring the Empowerment Lotus.
- Flipside, featuring the I Am Jane Doe, available hot or cold and with a milkshake option.
The specially named drinks help bring attention to the cause in an approachable way, encouraging customers to participate in the campaign and become more familiar with local resources.
The YWCA expressed gratitude for the businesses that have agreed to display campaign materials and promote the organization through their own social media channels. Their willingness to participate demonstrates how local partnerships can help important messages reach more people.
While the YWCA is not conducting a separate fundraising campaign for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, some participating businesses are also providing additional support. The organization encourages community members to continue supporting the United Way campaigns that help fund its services.
Donations Help Meet Essential Needs
Community members can support the YWCA throughout the year by donating items that help survivors and their families as they navigate difficult circumstances.
The organization welcomes essential supplies such as shampoo, laundry detergent, personal hygiene products, and feminine hygiene products. Gently used clothing in a variety of sizes is also appreciated, particularly as the organization changes its available clothing to reflect seasonal needs.
Donated clothing is organized in a small donation store at the Sterling location, where clients receiving services can access items through their service providers. The space has grown over time to provide a more organized, welcoming shopping experience for those who need clothing.
These resources can make a meaningful difference for individuals rebuilding their lives. Having appropriate clothing for the season, for example, can help someone feel more comfortable and prepared as they return to work, attend appointments, or take other steps toward stability.
When funding is available, the YWCA may also help clients with certain small expenses, such as work shoes or gas money to get to work. These forms of assistance can help remove practical barriers that might otherwise make it more difficult for someone to move forward.
Donations can be delivered to the YWCA of the Sauk Valley at 412 First Avenue, Sterling, Illinois. Community members can also call the organization’s main office at 815-625-0333 to ask questions about donations and available resources.
A Community Where Survivors Are Believed
Throughout the conversation, Spohn and Sanders McFalls stress the importance of believing survivors and making support accessible without judgment. People experiencing domestic violence may minimize their circumstances or feel that their situation is not serious enough to warrant assistance. The YWCA encourages individuals to reach out before their circumstances become more dangerous.
Domestic violence does not have to reach a particular level of severity for someone to deserve help. Whether a person needs immediate shelter, information about legal options, counseling, or simply guidance about what to do next, the organization encourages them to make contact.
Through its crisis services, survivor storytelling, community partnerships, and ongoing outreach, the YWCA of the Sauk Valley continues working to ensure that people throughout Lee and Whiteside counties know that support is available.
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