Boston Area Rape Crisis Center

BARCC is an amazing organization that makes a positive difference in people’s lives. Speaking from personal experience, BARCC has helped me through some of the most difficult moments of my life, and I am forever grateful for their crisis hotline and counselors.

Last night I volunteered/​attended the Champions for Change gala after seeing it listed as a last minute event in a YAVA newsletter. Wow. what a night.
As a volunteer I helped with set up, registration, the silent auction, and the after auction payment. I definitely stayed for 5 hours instead of the 1 hour I was originally scheduled for, but what’s 4 extra hours when all I’d be doing at home is watching TV on the interwebs (and they pretty much checked with me to see if it was okay). Plus I got a free dinner that I didn’t expect and of course, I got to work for an amazing organization. On top of the fact that everyone was really nice, the conversation and fast paced work helped the time go by quicker.
During the dinner, I was able to hear two of the speakers. Janet Yassen, one of the co-​founders of BARCC and Dory Cote, the first person to ever call the BARCC hotline. Janet and many of her friends (I think she said there were about 20 co-​founders) started the group in 1973. They went to various orgs and police departments at the time and there were NO resources for rape victims. Sounds ridiculous, but thank goodness these women came along.
Like I said above, the first call was from Dory Cote. Man, what an unbelievable story. A friend of hers had seen the hotline featured in the Boston Globe the day Dory was raped by a stranger in her Boston apartment. Dory called and on the other line was. Janet. BARCC was there to support her and be with her. even after her rapist was acquitted. Dory’s amazing resilience and strength are incredibly awe inspiring. She now runs a healing center in Maine and she’s just living life. all thanks to BARCC’s support when she needed it most.
In addition to my exposure to the organization last night, I dealt with BARCC briefly in college as an orientation leader. People from BARCC visit college campuses in the area and give talks to everyone from resident assistants to just general college populations.
I can’t say enough about BARCC. Since 1973, 50,000+ calls have been answered and the center now serves women, men, and children. They’re just a truly amazing organization. but to keep their services free. they need people to volunteer. I encourage you to check out their website and volunteer when you can. They have all kinds of positions. full time. yearly. and one time commitments. A couple hours of your time. could mean a lifetime of difference in someone else’s.
PS — The phone number up there is the office. their 24 hour a day hotline is: 800.841.8371