Published on August 14, 2026 10:52 am
Last Updated on August 14, 2026 10:52 am
Pictured (back row left to right): Chamber Ambassadors Steve Will (Dieterich Bank) & Michael Wall (HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital Foundation), Chamber President & CEO Katie Koester, and Chamber Ambassador Russ Runde (Dieterich Bank)
Pictured (front row left to right): Chamber Ambassador Debbie Womack (First National Bank of Waterloo), Sarah Bush Lincoln Osteoporosis Services APRN Provider Shelbi Birch, Service Representative Community Outreach Patty Hood (Capital Investor – Sarah Bush Lincoln), Executive Director Melissa Kelly, Effingham & Clay County SAFE Advocate Donna Rouleau, and Chamber Membership Director Becky Brown
The Effingham County Chamber welcomes SAFE as one of its newest members through the Pay It Forward membership program sponsored by Capital Investor Sarah Bush Lincoln.
SAFE is a nonprofit rape crisis center providing free, confidential services to survivors of sexual violence and impacted individuals throughout 11 counties in South Central Illinois, including Effingham County. The organization provides advocacy, counseling, prevention education, outreach and support services to individuals of all ages.
This year also marks an important milestone for SAFE as the organization celebrates 40 years of service. Since 1986, SAFE has worked alongside survivors and communities to provide compassionate, trauma-informed care while helping prevent sexual violence through education and community engagement.
SAFE’s advocacy team provides 24/7 crisis support through its confidential crisis line, along with crisis intervention and ongoing support, including accompaniment during forensic medical examinations, law enforcement interviews, court hearings and other legal proceedings. Free, confidential counseling is available for children through adults, as well as individuals impacted by sexual violence.
Prevention is also an important part of SAFE’s work. The organization provides educational programs and professional training in schools, colleges, workplaces, healthcare facilities and community organizations on topics including healthy relationships, consent, boundaries, digital safety, grooming prevention, bystander intervention and sexual harassment prevention.
Through Sarah Bush Lincoln’s Pay It Forward program, SAFE now has access to Chamber membership and opportunities to build additional connections throughout the Effingham County business and nonprofit community.
SAFE serves Bond, Clinton, Clay, Effingham, Fayette, Hamilton, Jefferson, Marion, Washington, Wayne and White counties.
To learn more about SAFE’s services, prevention programs, volunteer opportunities or ways to support its mission, visit SAFEcrisiscenter.org or call (800) 625-1414.
