NORA will celebrate the 97th birthday of founding member Jane Block with a community event 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 12, marking more than five decades since she helped establish the organization, then known as the Riverside Area Rape Crisis Center, on the belief that survivors deserved to be heard, believed, supported and treated with dignity.
That vision is still at the heart of NORA today, the organization said. What began as a response to a need in the community has grown into an organization that provides free advocacy, counseling, crisis intervention, prevention education and supportive services to survivors and families throughout Western Riverside County, according to NORA.
Block's advocacy extended beyond the crisis center. She helped organize efforts around the Riverside County Commission on the Status of Women and pushed for shelters and resources for women experiencing abuse throughout the county.
"Jane's impact reaches far beyond one organization," NORA said. "Her advocacy helped change the way our community responds to survivors and helped create resources that generations of people have been able to turn to."
Block has said lasting change takes community, crediting her successes to the people she brought together, according to NORA.
For those unable to attend, NORA is accepting tribute gifts in Block's honor. The gifts help sustain free, confidential, trauma-informed services for survivors of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse throughout Western and Southwest Riverside County, including 24-hour crisis intervention, advocacy and accompaniment, counseling, case management, prevention education and connections to medical, legal and housing resources.
NORA said the support is needed as rape crisis centers and domestic violence programs across California face funding reductions and continued uncertainty in government and grant funding. Private contributions, the organization said, help bridge those gaps and allow NORA to retain trained advocates and counselors.
More information: Jane Block Day is 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 12 at NORA. Email info@callnora.org or call (951) 686-7273 to RSVP; NORA's 24-hour confidential hotline is also available at that number for anyone in need of support. Tribute gifts can be made at givebutter.com/RiversideHopeBuilders.
