NEWS

Within Reach Campaign | March 7, 2018

Giving Back in Gratitude

An Interview with WCA Champion,
Sabrina Ahern

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Sabrina has been an interior designer at Leo Daly for 15 years.
She’s married, with two daughters and is very involved in her church.
Sabrina has been a heavily involved member of the WCA’s Partners Guild for
several years and helped with multiple fundraising events.
She’s also a part of the building committee for the WCA’s new home.
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YOU’VE BEEN REALLY INVOLVED WITH THE WCA FOR A WHILE. WHERE DOES THAT COMMITMENT COME FROM?
You know, I’ve gone through some really hard things in my life, including some legal actions, where other people have stepped in to help me out. I was fortunate enough to have those resources and relationships to support me. I’m aware that many others don’t have those same resources. It’s my gratitude for what I’ve received that makes me want to be a part of helping others.

 

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR INVOLVEMENT ON THE BUILDING COMMITTEE FOR THE NEW WCA BUILDING.
Since I’m an interior designer and on the WCA guild, Amy [Richardson, WCA CEO] wanted an outside opinion on some things, someone with whom she could talk through their decisions. Working with Amy in this capacity, I’ve seen her passion. She has such an amazing vision for the new space and she’s not willing to sacrifice any of it. She’s made hard decisions to keep the integrity of her vision for the space, to make it a place that is welcoming for those who are experiencing trauma.

 

HAVE YOU EVER REFERRED SOMEONE TO THE WCA
THAT YOU KNEW NEEDED HELP?
I am very involved in our church and there are people I’ve ministered to that I have been able to direct to the WCA. I want more people in both my faith community and other groups I’m involved with to know the WCA is a free resource that they can trust to send anyone who needs help. The staff are trained to deal with trauma so they know how to serve the people who really need help.

 

HOW DO YOU SEE THE WCA’S NEW LOCATION IMPACTING
THOSE WHO RECEIVE SERVICES FROM THEM?
To me, it’s less about the physical location—it’s more about how the building is laid out internally so they are meeting their clients and staff needs better. The new building has a more adequate amount of space, with each room designed and dedicated for a specific purpose, rather than squeezing people in and using rooms in multiple ways that don’t really work for the clients or staff. And looking at the way the reception area is designed—clients won’t be on display anymore; that will really help in terms of their safety and anonymity.

 

HOW WOULD YOU ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GET
INVOLVED WITH THE WCA?
There are amazing opportunities to volunteer, either at the front desk, in the Career Closet, or helping out with events. There is always, always a need. If you want to do a collection drive at work, look at the WCA’s Greatest Needs. You can also get involved with the guild. We welcome new members all the time.

 

WHEN WE SAY THE WCA IS WITHIN REACH,
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN TO YOU?
It means they are right there. They have every resource that anyone in any situation would need. From harassment to assault, there are varying degrees of abuse and the WCA can help people no matter what they’re dealing with, even if the issue seems small or insignificant.