Crime Survivors Resource Center
PROGRAMS
Survivors Hope Fund/Direct Program Support/Hope Scholarship
Survivors are provided with necessities including bus passes, lunch reimbursements, relocation assistance, beds, bedding, household items, diapers, hygiene items, food, and clothing—as these expenses are not covered by the state programs or assistance. CSRC also offers direct program support to assist survivors and their families in leading fulfilling, independent lives while contributing to the community. Direct support services help with daily living and working activities to encourage behaviors and attitudes towards community inclusion. Additionally, beginning in 2022, the Hope Scholarship provides survivors with direct financial assistance for daily necessities or impactful quality-of-life improvements, relocation, education expenses, technology, spiritual retreats, safety resources, or life changing reinforcement. Scholarships range from $1,000 to $5,000 for one-time financial assistance for eligible expenses, to assist survivors and their families in leading fulfilling, independent lives while contributing to the community.
Survivors benefit from necessities such as bus passes, hygiene items, food, and clothing as needed; survivors and their families also benefit from direct program support services. 10,500 child & adult victim emergency bags, 6,000+ meal baskets, and 56,000 holiday gifts have been distributed to survivors and their families so far.
Support Groups - Therapy Support Groups/Peer Support Groups/Holiday Healing- Events
Monthly support groups (in-person and virtual) bring survivors together to share their stories of moving forward—ensuring a sense of community in that none of them are alone in the struggle. These support groups also provide opportunities for victims and survivors to connect with other resources needed to thrive in the days ahead. Additionally, suvivors are supported through Holiday events- including the Easter Egg Hunt and Ham Basket Program; Halloween Harvest and Pumpkin Carving Night; Mother’s Day; Thanksgiving Meal Baskets; Bowling Nights; Survivors Gift Drive; Elf’s Holly Day; and Turkey Meal Boxes. These holiday programs are organized to allow survivors and their families to enjoy themselves around the holidays, surrounded by people conscious of their healing. Each program provides those facing financial challenges with food and resources such as gifts and gift cards.
Participants will receive opportunities to share their stories to empower healing and prepare to thrive through available resources. Additionally, clients gain a sense of togetherness, resources, support, and financial assistance through multiple holiday programs.
Resource Guides
Crime Survivor Resource Guides provide an easy method for first responders to ensure that victims know where to turn once law enforcement and other personnel have wrapped up their work in and around the scene of a crime. Many survivors have a long and painful road to healing and need a strong and committed group of supporters around them. The resource guides help survivors in seeking out support groups, resources, and referrals.
Survivors become aware of the resources and support available for them to recover and thrive. 595,000 resource guides have been distributed to survivors so far.
Service Provider Roundtables/Law Enforcement Trainings
Service Provider Roundtables take place every Thursday to bring psychologists, lawyers, victim advocates, and others together for training and workshops focusing on crime survivors' needs and resources. Hosted throughout Southern California (virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic), these roundtables provide information on the newest and most innovative efforts to assist survivors; anywhere from 125 to 250 service providers attend weekly. Founder/CEO Patricia Wenskunas also travels across California to ensure that law enforcement recruits and trainees understand what crime victims are thinking and feeling in the crucial first minutes when first responders arrive on the scene. Patricia's talks are personal as she knows what it's like to survive a brutal attack and live through the aftermath. She calls on all first responders to provide care, empathy, and additional resources for victims, rather than leaving them to seek support on their own.
Roundtable participants will receive training to understand the availability of resources to victims and survivors of crimes. New partnership opportunities will be developed. Law enforcement recruits and trainees will receive training and best practices when engaging with crime victims.
Case Management/Advocacy
CSRC offers case management, which includes tracking and follow up with survivors throughout California. Our case managers provide guidance, resources, and referrals to everyone after victimization. Ultimately, the case manager will connect victims with advocacy, legal support, self-defense, and mental health services to ensure that every victim recovers and thrives. CSRC provides advocacy services for the rights of victims, survivors, and others. Founder/CEO Patricia Wenskunas is a strong advocate—locally and throughout the state—for the needs and resources of all crime survivors.
Survivors will receive guidance, resources, and referrals through case managers, specifically for advocacy, legal support, self-defense, and mental health services. Participants will be educated on available resources regarding their rights and needs.
CONTACT
Crime Survivors Resource Center
P.O. Box 54552
Irvine, CA 92619
Patricia Wenskunas
Phone: 844-853-HOPE