Early Bird Tickets for Evening of Impact Extended

If you follow us on social media, you've already seen that due to popular demand, we've extended early bird pricing until tomorrow, April 6 at 5pm CST. Buy your ticket or reserved seating for 10 now!

Evening of Impact will include hors d’oeuvres and food stations by Limelight Catering, an open bar, a silent auction with a wide array of experiences and prizes, and a powerful and moving program featuring former RVA client and women's mental health expert, Kelley Kitley. This year, we're honoring Tarana Burke, founder of the Me Too Movement and social justice activist, with the Dr. Natalie A. Stephens Visionary Award. Our Honorary Chair, Saturday Night Live writer Katie Rich, will also share a special SNL video created exclusively for this event during the program!

By supporting Rape Victim Advocates (RVA) at Evening of Impact, you'll demonstrate your commitment to a safer Chicago and an end to sexual violence.

Three ways to take action during SAAM

1. Create your own fundraiser or make a donation to the SAAM Challenge.
2. Join us at one of our #SAAMChi events.
3. Raise awareness about sexual assault by becoming an ally for prevention.

#SAAMChi events

• Tuesday, April 10: Historic Hellraisers: Feminist Hero Trivia Night
• Thursday, April 19: Breaking the Silence
• Friday, April 27: Standing Silent Witness​

Fiscal Year 2017 (FY17) Annual Report

FY17 was RVA’s most impactful year yet—serving survivors, educating young people from kindergarten to college, and training professionals—more than ever before. As we look to the future of RVA, we believe we can win this fight to eradicate the epidemic of sexual violence. The first step in solving a problem is recognizing the problem exists. For the first time in history, survivors are believed, and we are turning this moment into a movement. We look forward to sharing with you our future initiatives as we forge ahead. Thank you for your steadfast support!

Volunteer Spotlight: Ruby Des Jardins

Pronouns: She/Her/They
Role at RVA: Volunteer medical advocate and rape crisis counselor.
What do you do? DJ weddings & corporate events with Birds & B-sides.
What three traits define you? Curiosity, enthusiasm, and empathy.
What's your motto? What can I learn from this?
Why do you volunteer your time with RVA? I want there to someday be a generation that doesn't grow up with daily sexual harassment, assault, and abuse. 
In what ways has sexual assault and crisis intervention training impacted the way you engage with your community? Since I started volunteering with RVA, I've had so many more conversations where friends and acquaintances bring up their own traumas. I think people feel invited to open up because of what I do and that the willingness to talk about the hard stuff helps chip away at the stigma and shame we've been taught. I think normalizing these very personal topics empowers survivors who want to speak publicly, but had been told this is a "private matter."