When Becca Rottacker lived in Alberta, Canada, she volunteered to care for the homeless and, as a result, “grew a passion for helping vulnerable people.”
She is now serving a different clientele but still fulfilling her passion by lending a hand and an ear to women at the Family Crisis Center’s (FCC) shelter.
Rottacker, who was born in Great Bend and raised in Garfield, moved back in May last year. A few weeks later she became an FCC outreach advocate and was recently promoted to shelter coordinator.
“I just love lifting people up in their time of need,” she said. “When they come to the shelter, they are probably facing the roughest time of their lives.
“We offer a welcoming atmosphere for abuse survivors in a place that feels like a home. Sometimes, when people think of a shelter, they picture cots lined up in a not-so-homey environment. Our shelter is not like that picture in any way.”
The residence can house 14 people, offering a big kitchen and dining room, along with play areas and toys for children.
“We want residents to feel as safe and comfortable as possible,” Rottacker commented. “This home-like atmosphere can help them get a start on their road to recovery.
“The shelter is frequently at capacity, which demonstrates that survivors are escaping violence and seeking help. If we had an empty shelter, they wouldn’t be getting the support they need.”
Services
Rottacker and eight advocates share responsibilities that include helping with housing and benefit applications, and connecting residents with other local resources.
“Of course, we offer emotional support when they need a shoulder to lean on,” she added. “We also provide safety planning and help with their transition out of the shelter.”
After shelter personnel help residents set specific goals, “the priority is to see progress. We interact with grace and understanding but we also expect to see residents making strides to meet the goals they set.”
Enhancing life skills also is on the daily agenda. These can include cooking, budgeting money “and anything else that helps them get back on their feet,” Rottacker commented. “I coordinate with four full-time and four part-time advocates to provide safety, comfort, advice and all the resources they need to begin a new life.”
Other responsibilities for the new coordinator are: assisting survivors’ families and friends; supervising and training advocates; creating a culture of empowerment; handling administrative tasks; and networking with medical professionals, court officers, school personnel, law enforcement, clergy and others.
Kylee Graves, FCC executive director, noted that “our shelter is so much more than a safe place to stay; it is a place where survivors can begin to rebuild their lives. Becca and our entire shelter team work every day to create an environment where survivors feel safe, respected and empowered.
“We are incredibly proud of the compassionate care our staff provides and grateful to be able to offer a place where individuals and families can begin their journey toward safety, stability and hope. I am so thankful to have Becca guiding our team.”
The FCC serves Barton, Barber, Comanche, Edwards, Kiowa, Ness, Pawnee, Pratt, Rush and Stafford counties.
For more information, call 620-793-9941; the 24-hour crisis hotline is 866-792-1885.
