admin
Things at the Regional Family Crisis Center will be a little different.
Betty Pannier retired in August and was the end of one chapter and the beginning of another for RFCC. Former Executive Director, Pannier, retired after serving the Center for seventeen years.
She dedicated her life to serving survivors of domestic and sexual violence and this service has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated. Ms. Pannier has stated that she will enjoy her retirement by using her time to travel.
Emily Macdonald is the new Executive Director at the Regional Family Crisis Center.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Illinois. She graduated Cum Laude, made the Dean’s List several times, and is a current member of Psi Chi, the International Honors Society in Psychology. Emily has worked at Union County Counseling Services and Centerstone with individuals that were diagnosed with mental illness.
She was also a Child and Youth Programs Coordinator working with the U.S. National Guard’s youth programs in Springfield, Illinois. RFCC feels blessed beyond words to have Emily as their new Executive Director.
MacDonald has a clear vision for RFCC.
“My ultimate goal is to be able to help as many victims as possible. I’d like to see us expand to an outreach center where we can work more closely with non-residents and offer even more resources to the community. I’d like to see us move forward with bettering the community as a whole and building those relationships with other community agencies.,” she said. “For the thrift store, the plan is to reorganize to make it more customer friendly, revamp pricing and setup, bring in the ability to accept credit/debit cards, and maybe expand to a bigger location that offers us the ability to have a sorting area for on-site donations so that the employees don’t get bogged down with piles from lack of storage. I also plan to bridge the gap between the store and shelter so that everyone is on the same page and they know we’re here to help at the shop when they need. No one’s alone in their job.”
The Regional Family Crisis Center’s services include: food, court/legal advocacy, economic education and advocacy, hospital/medical advocacy, law enforcement advocacy, motel placement, parenting classes, pet protection, Safe at Home application assistance, shelter, structured program for children, support groups for children, support groups for female survivors, local transportation, financial help with medication, and free hygiene items and clothing to those women and others in the surrounding area.
