SouthWest Crisis Services recently welcomed Becky Walker as the new Executive Director.

Walker has a wide array of experience including adult mental health counseling, child protection social work, and she also previously worked with SouthWest Crisis Services as an outreach counselor.

Walker details the Executive Director role she will be filling.

"The role is just managing the general operations of the shelter. So we have the women's shelter, the outreach counseling program, and the crisis line that we run 24 hours a day 7 days a week."

Walker says she feels driven and inspired to help shift the perspective and bring awareness to the issue. She believes her personal passion will help her to be creative and connect with people. 

Going forward, she hopes to partner with local organizations on different projects and provide a more holistic sense of care for the people that are seeking help with the organization. 

Walker speaks to what attracted her to the role in the first place.

"Well I definitely wanted to get back in helping people impacted by domestic violence, it is definitely a personal passion of mine and there is not a lot of opportunities to work in this sector so I just thought it would be the perfect fit for me."

Although she is very new to the role, Walker says although she is still learning what has been working and where they need to grow and build she definitely wants to continue to engage the community and keep in contact with the schools and college. She would like to make sure they are supporting rural communities as much as possible and has various fundraising ideas such as creating a walk for domestic violence awareness. 

A reminder to residents that the shelter is open to those of all genders and not only supports those experiencing domestic violence but also those that are at high risk of experiencing domestic violence as well.