The Gretchen S. Vapnar Community Crisis Center

The Gretchen S. Vapnar Community Crisis Center, located in Elgin, Illinois, was founded in 1975 by a group of dedicated volunteers to meet the needs of individuals and families in crisis. Employees provide comprehensive services to individuals and families in crisis due to domestic violence, sexual assault, or economic/ financial difficulties. The Crisis Center is one of the oldest domestic violence shelters in the state and was instrumental in organizing both the Illinois and National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The mission of the Community Crisis Center is to provide Safety, Hope, Advocacy, Respite and Education for those impacted by crisis and violence in the Fox Valley Region and Illinois.Services include a 24-hour crisis hotline and information and referral; emergency temporary shelter for 40 women and children who are homeless due to domestic violence or financial crisis; individual and group counseling; medical, legal and welfare advocacy; financial assistance to abate homelessness; emergency food pantry; batterers’ intervention program; transitional living program; a distinct children’s program; and community education. The Community Crisis Center service area includes northern Kane County from St. Charles to the northern edge of the county and far northwest suburban Cook County; there are no service area limits for domestic violence victims.