Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Tiemann.
Hi Jennifer, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started working on a suicide and crisis line in 2003 and eventually transferred to my current field in 2005, sexual assault/abuse. Metro East Every Survivor Counts(Metro East ESC) transitioned to its stand-alone center in January 2003 and continues serving clients in the Metro East area and surrounding communities. When I began working in sexual assault/abuse, I worked through varying positions as a Program Admin, Preventionist, Advocate, Advocate Coordinator, Program Manager, Program Director, and now, with Metro East ESC, Executive Director. I developed a passion for survivor rights and advocacy after realizing that, as a survivor, I wish I had known these services were available and at least knew there was someone I could talk with who would believe me. I spent several years doubting the legitimacy of my abuse. Had I known there was an option for me, the entire course of my journey would have been spent knowing someone believed me, and I had a choice! In June 2022, I was informed that our program, formally Call For Help Sexual Assault Victims Care Unit, would be separating at the end of December to become a stand-alone center. That is when a team of employees decided that we would attempt to transition out on our own smoothly and become a stand-alone center. Several months passed, and the closer to the transition, the realization that we were nowhere close to obtaining the funds needed to successfully run a center in the metro-east area and the possibility that no services would exist became the most pressing stressor for our entire team. With increasing retention problems, an exhausted staff, and a nearing transition date, our team still stepped forward with the mission in mind. This came with many tears and frustrations, from funding obstacles to survivors without support due to the employment crisis and uncertainty with program sustainability.
I had been doing this work for nearly 20 years, and as the stress increased, I decided to give up. I informed the team that I couldn’t do it anymore and had to walk away from this, or it would destroy me. Little did I know that my staff quickly sprang into action and started talking to individuals in the community, and that is when I met Tammy from Riverbend. After putting in my notice, I met her for a meeting; she changed my mind in an hour or less. By the time I had left the conference, I had already felt the power and inspiration from her words not to give up. I am honestly so thankful for my team and her that day. From that moment forward, I committed to the survivors and team to find funding sources and establish the agency. This was not done alone; we are a passionate and committed team to our communities. Even though I had wanted to walk away after all these years of pure frustration, the team understood the idea of picking each other up and knew what it would take to bring the focus back and help me realize that in the same way, we don’t give up on survivors, we don’t give up on ourselves. They didn’t give up on me, and for that, I am thankful! The entire team believes in advocating and providing needed services to our communities. We are focused on ensuring survivors continue knowing they are believed and heard. Because of the amazing individuals who heard our voice in the community and the hard work that we have put forth and continue to put forth, we are approaching a year and still here, which signifies the determination, perseverance, and dedication the entire team and community has to make sure that every survivor counts!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Since Metro East ESC opened in January, we have faced challenges and need help to provide full-capacity services. We have had to face funding, location, and capacity obstacles. The bottom line is we need more support and funding within our communities. Sure, we have governmental grants that are supposed to provide funding to the communities, but what a lot of people do not understand is that for us to receive any funding from those approved grants, our agency has to have gap funding or cash in the bank to pay for the functions of our agency first. It’s a lot more than just getting approved for funding. We have to have funding first to receive funding. Community support is needed to continue these services. That is why donations and other sources of non-governmental funding are so important. We have had to suspend after-hour services, put community survivors on a year-long counseling waiting list, and grossly limit our prevention efforts because we do not have enough staff to cover the needs. It is truly disheartening for our agency to know that the need for our program within the communities overwhelms the capacity, funding, and ability to provide those services Metro East ESC sees every day. The need for volunteers is another obstacle that Metro East ESC faces.
Volunteers are a core function, allowing our agency to connect with our communities and move our mission to believe and advocate for survivors. Even volunteering to help with the most minor projects can make a difference. Our agency, mission, and the team at Metro East ESC have seen the effects of these obstacles but refuse to give up. We have had multiple payroll delays, which have impacted staff and have caused good advocates, counselors, and preventionists to leave. The agency’s inability to rehire because of a funding gap causes a vicious cycle and the realization that our passion alone isn’t the answer. We need more community involvement and support. Our communities need to know we exist, and we need help to continue providing those free services to all.
We’ve been impressed with Metro East Every Survivor Counts, but for folks who might need to be more familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
“It is the mission of Metro East Every Survivor Counts to address multifaceted forms of oppression and end sexual violence by empowering survivors through Person First services and community engagement.”
Metro East Every Survivor Counts mission highlights the multifaceted forms of oppression and the fundamental understanding of how oppression, whether related to race, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, immigration status, or other identities, affects survivor experiences. Metro East ESC’s mission is to expand growth and strengthen the ability to support survivors by seeking opportunities to expand knowledge outwardly to communities to end sexual violence through supportive services with varying backgrounds and experiences.
Metro East ESC’s mission is to provide comprehensive services through the lens of empowerment and understanding that healing is not linear and will focus on each survivor’s unique needs and strengths. When rooting the program’s mission on anti-oppression and empowerment frameworks, Metro East ESC can be responsive to the multidimensional needs of survivors, and the mission preserves the idea that survivors are the best experts on their own experiences while recognizing the cultural and ongoing trauma of oppression that survivors may endure.
Metro East ESC takes a trauma-informed approach to services. The mission emphasizes an understanding that the effects of trauma on survivors and those who serve them should provide foundations for promoting safety, trust, choice, collaboration, cultural relevance, and empowerment. The principals in the mission shape the culture in which Metro East ESC can support survivors. This will be reflected in the organizational structure, agency culture, staffing, and direct services. Metro East ESC will assist with a trauma-informed lens to enhance the collaboration of the survivor and community relationship by recognizing the fundamental root of empowerment needed through survivor and significant other-led decision-making.
We are set apart because we are the only certified rape crisis center in the Metro-East and surrounding areas. What this means is that we are supported by the Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and being certified gives us absolute confidentiality, privilege, and a specialized focus for support, counseling, and advocacy services relating to sexual assault/abuse and the law. We are part of the change in Illinois and support efforts to enhance survivors’ rights and treatment.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
Tammy Iskarous, River Bend Ministries Executive Director, has been inspiring in her guidance and encouragement to continue succession for the communities. I admire her strength and willpower. I am so honored to have the opportunity to be a part of her vision within her organization. I aspire to be as successful and amazing as she is.
Metro East ESC team: Erin Jurke, Dorothy Mitchell, Ella Huppert, Carolyn Heyen, Kim Hoeflein- These remaining staff are, hands down, the most amazing group of individuals. They have walked every part of this journey with me and assisted in keeping this mission moving forward. This mission got this far with all of us! Each of them has demonstrated their dedication to the mission and has remained steadfast in providing the best possible services to our communities.
Our Coalition, Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault, deserves credit as well. Their belief, knowledge, and development guidance in what we have been building within our agency have been instrumental in maintaining and continuing services.
The board of directors-(I can provide names later; I need a complete list on me)- They have all been instrumental in helping us keep services going by assisting in fundraising efforts and planning the next steps for community growth. They also have been 100 percent supportive of ensuring survivors are prioritized within the communities. I can tell you who inspires me and who changed my perspective, as stated above, but so many people have inspired me and have not given up. Without support, this is impossible; even though we need more, we have been truly honored to have met some of the most compassionate individuals who have joined our mission to ensure we are here to stay. I can’t thank them enough.
Pricing:
- All services provided are free! (Including counseling, legal and medical advocacy, and prevention services)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.metroeasteverysurvivorcounts.org
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/metroeastesc?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089782382346&mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Other: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/7842caa3-47fc-4e8f-ae32-a6b1b31dd8cb
Image Credits
McGilvrey Fine Portraits took photos with 3 workers, a teal backdrop & balloons. Photos taken at Riverbend Family Ministries with the four coworkers on the couch, around the table, and outside group shots were provided to us by Tammy from a photo shoot done at RFM.
