It was back in 1999 when a newspaper wanted ad caught Marcie Sheridan’s eye. The Kankakee County Center Against Sexual Assault (KC-CASA) was hiring an advocate to help victims in neighboring Iroquois County navigate the medical and legal aftermath of violence. It would be the first position at a brand new KC-CASA satellite location called Iroquois Sexual Assault Services (ISAS). Marcie recalls, “I had recently earned my master’s of social work and I was hoping to find a job in Iroquois County where I could help people in my community where we live and farm.” She eagerly applied and became the first employee at ISAS. This decision shaped her career and laid the foundation for compassionate survivor services in the area that are still going strong 25 years later.  

Before ISAS was created, survivors of sexual violence in Iroquois County had nowhere to turn to locally for support that focused on their needs. Some would seek help from KC-CASA’s established office in Kankakee, which provided crisis support, tenacious advocacy, and healing counseling for survivors. However, it would take up to 2 hours to drive round-trip for a meeting with an advocate or a counseling session. That was if you had a car, gas money, and the time to make that trip every week. 

A Much-Needed Resource

Distance is a common barrier to support for survivors in rural areas. So are concerns about privacy in little towns where everyone knows each other. Local professionals, such as law enforcement and medical staff, also have limited experience handling cases of sexual harm since populations are smaller. KC-CASA recognized these challenges and secured funding to bring survivor-centered services directly to Iroquois County through an advocate and counselor.

Starting from scratch wasn’t easy. Marcie had to spread the word that survivors could now access support close to home while addressing the misconception that sexual violence is “only a big city problem.” But soon enough, the phone began to ring. “I will always remember a call I got in my first few weeks,” Marcie says. It was from the mother of a teen survivor whose case was going through the legal system. She was overwhelmed, upset, and confused about the process but Marcie calmly answered her questions and offered services. At the end of the call, the mother exclaimed with relief, “Where have you been all this time?!”. Marcie was grateful that she was there to provide the support people in her community had been waiting for.  

Building Trust and Partnerships

Over the next decade, Marcie built relationships with police, the state’s attorney’s office, hospitals, and mental health professionals. She had to gain people’s trust and demonstrate that she was there to work in partnership for better outcomes. ISAS grew and also introduced prevention programs in schools, teaching young people about body safety and where to find help. Awareness spread, attitudes shifted, and lasting partnerships formed. Many still exist today. 

“Marcie laid a foundation for so many of our community partnerships,” says Tammy Barragree, the current advocate for Iroquois and Ford Counties. She continues working with many of the same exact people Marcie first connected with during her decade as an advocate. Marcie went on to become the Executive Director at KC-CASA/ISAS and now serves in that role at the Survivor Resource Center in Danville, IL. Tammy, now in her 11th year, brings the same dedication to her work. She sees the benefits of these long-standing relationships with folks who are invested in the area. It helps that she’s a local too. “People here know me, what I do, and that they can come to me for help,” Tammy explains, adding that trust is especially valuable in a close-knit community.

People here know me, what I do, and that they can come to me for help.

Tammy Barragree, Advocate at Clove Alliance in Iroquois and Ford Counties

Milestones and Progress Over 25 Years

The past quarter century has been filled with change and important milestones. In 2017, the ISAS office moved from the county courthouse basement to Jefferson Plaza on Route 45. This new space provides a more welcoming, confidential environment, which is essential for those seeking support in a small town.

The following year, a Sexual Assault Response Team, or SART, was formed for Iroquois County. People working in many fields—from survivor advocates to prosecutors to nurses—come together to collaborate on cases and support survivors. “Many communities do not have a SART but Kankakee’s was one of the first in the state. We’ve gone on to form teams for Iroquois and Ford County,” Tammy says. She finds it especially inspiring that all the members are volunteering their time.

In 2021, KC-CASA and ISAS unified under a new name: Clove Alliance. The organization’s mission, along with its commitment to rural areas, remained the same. A new satellite office opened in Paxton later that year to serve Ford County. “We do everything we can to reach everyone we can,” says Tracey Noe Slach, Executive Director of Clove Alliance. “Whether a survivor lives in a big city or a small town, they deserve support.” Even in the face of funding challenges that forced other rural rape crisis centers in Illinois to close, all Clove Alliance offices have remained open.

Whether a survivor lives in a big city or a small town, they deserve support.

Tracey Noe Slach, CEO and SART Coordinator of Clove Alliance

Looking Ahead with Hope and Commitment

Awareness of sexual violence has grown, victim-blaming is less common, and survivors have more options for support, even in rural areas. Thankfully, they are seeking it. In the last fiscal year alone, Clove Alliance’s Watseka office served more than 50 survivors, a testament to the importance of accessible services. Our work wouldn’t be possible without the amazing support of our partners and donors in Iroquois County who have fostered 25 years of hope and healing. 

We’re committed to continuing this progress until all our communities are free from sexual harm. If you want to join us, please donate today or explore other ways to get involved here.

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Clove Alliance provides hope and healing to survivors of sexual violence in Kankakee, Iroquois, and Ford County, Illinois. We offer specialized counseling, legal services, prevention programs, and hotline support. You can call us at 815.932.3322, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. To reach our main office during business hours, call 815.932.7273. View all our contact details here.

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911.