The Victim Center

This Mental Health Awareness Month, we recognize the important connection between trauma and mental health.

Healing after trauma doesn’t happen on a timeline, and support can make a meaningful difference in the healing process. At The Victim Center, our counseling services are free, trauma-informed, and available to support survivors wherever they are in their journey.

It’s okay to ask for help, and support is always available.

Learn more about our counseling services:
https://www.thevictimcenter.org/services/counseling/

Last week, we had the incredible honor of hosting our "Shine a Light on Healing" Volunteer Appreciation event. It was a beautiful afternoon filled with gratitude, shared memories, and a room that held over 272 years of combined volunteer experience!

Since our founding, volunteers have been the driving force behind our growth and impact. They are the reason we can provide 24/7 crisis hotline support, offer comfort kits at local hospitals, and ensure that all our services remain completely free of charge. Last year alone, this collective effort allowed us to serve over 2,000 unique individuals.

A few special highlights from the evening:
✨ We honored our vital community partners: Mercy SANE Program, Cox Health SANE Program, Greene County Circuit Clerk’s Office, and the Professional Answering Service. Your collaboration makes our work possible.

✨ We announced a very special renaming! In honor of her 44 years of professional service to victims in southwest Missouri, our annual award is now officially the Paula Tindell Volunteer Victim Advocate of the Year Award. Your impact continues to shape this work in ways that are felt every day.

✨ We proudly presented the very first Paula Tindell Award to Amy Hoffman! Since joining us in 2025, Amy has contributed over 400 hours on the crisis line, providing compassionate intervention and support. Congratulations, Amy, and thank you for your extraordinary commitment!

To every past and present volunteer, board member, and event committee member: Thank you. We cannot fulfill our mission to help victims move from trauma and tragedy to hope and healing without you. As we look to the future, we invite you to stay involved, whether through upcoming events, mentoring new volunteers, or sharing your experiences with others in our community. Your continued commitment helps us build on our Legacy of Healing and our Future of Hope! ❤️

Did you know that many of the individuals who answer crisis calls at The Victim Center are trained volunteers?

These dedicated volunteers provide support, compassion, and a steady presence during some of the most challenging moments for those in need.

If you've ever considered volunteering or would like to learn more about the opportunities available, I would be happy to connect and chat with you.

Also, if you plan to join us for the Volunteer Appreciation event tomorrow, we would love to see you there! There’s still time to RSVP: https://bit.ly/48g2pzF

Thank you to every person who joined us for the Breakfast of Hope this morning, and to those who gave their time, heart, and effort to make it happen.

Your support and compassion mean more than we can fully express. This work is not possible without you.

From our incredible musicians, to the clients who so graciously shared their stories, to all of you who showed up, listened, and leaned in, thank you.

Your support helps sustain this work. It makes healing possible.

To our sponsors, your commitment and partnership made this event possible. Your support ensures that no one has to navigate their healing journey alone.

Special thanks to our 2026 Sponsors:

PRESENTING SPONSORS
Champion for Children - Women Connect4Good
Champion for Healing - O'Reilly Auto Parts

HOPE SPONSORS
Message of Hope - Mid-Missouri Bank
Cup of Hope - SRC
Hall of Hope - CoxHealth
Hall of Memories - Positronic
Honorary - Steve Weiss
Hope & Healing - Abacus
50th Anniversary - Scott Rose, Murney & Associates
Live Program - Great Southern Bank

HOPE LINE SPONSORS
Achieve Private Wealth - Ameriprise Financial
Zach & Angelin Adams
Associated Electric
BluCurrent
Norb & Ann Bagley
Central Bank
Stephen & Renee Eiffert
Ferrell-Duncan Clinic Foundation
Guaranty Bank
Loretta Knutson
Kollmeyer & Company
Penmac Staffing
Regent Bank
Volt Credit Union

SAFE KIDS SPONSORS
AMPROD
Burrell Behavioral Health
Tara Benson
Shawn Battagler of Carnahan Evans
Employee Benefit Design & Peck's Insurance and Financial Services
Erlen Group
Greene County Circuit Clerk's Office
Greene County Medical Society
Greene County Prosecuting Attorney's Office
KY3
Lowther Johnson Attorneys at Law
Mercy
Ollis/Akers/Arney
Ron & Janice Penney
Phelps County Bank
Phoenix Home Care & Hospice
Springfield Police Department
The Wooten Company
Stephanie Wan

And finally, a special thank you to Four State Bank for sponsoring our 50th anniversary mug, Sonya Kullmann Cox for being our fantastic Emcee, Lancaster Station, and Dr. Paul Thomlinson​ for their outstanding music throughout the morning, which brought an extra layer of warmth to the entire event, and Retro Edge Media for their videography and editing magic.

If you would like to support the important work we do, click here to learn more: https://thevictimcenter.networkforgood.com/projects/89453-support-the-victim-center

As we recognize National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, action matters too.

Support can look like checking in, showing up, or helping someone take the next step.

You don’t have to do everything. Just something.

Learn more: https://ovc.ojp.gov/