Our March, 2022 Float for Philanthropy event has pooled its earnings to support SARSSM. The Sexual Response services of Southern Maine – formerly Rape Crisis Center, Inc. was founded in 1973, through grassroots organizing by survivors who identified a gap in services and support in Cumberland County. Beginning as a membership organization, Rape Crisis Center, Inc. offered a network of support, advocacy, and referrals, and community education. Through donations of office space, administrative support, creation of a volunteer program, and adding a 24-hour helpline, the Center continued to grow capacity. In 1995, Rape Crisis Center, Inc. changed its name to Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine (SARSSM) to more accurately reflect the scope of the organization’s work, and SARSSM received funding to expand services into York County.
Sexual Assault Response Services of Southern Maine now provides comprehensive services in York and Cumberland Counties to anyone affected by sexual harassment, sexual abuse, or sexual assault through four programs – Helpline and Outreach Services, a Sexual Assault Response Team (SART), Children’s Advocacy Centers and our youth-based Prevention Education Program. If you would like to learn more or make a donation please follow this link www.sarssm.org/donate.