St. Louis, Missouri | October 22, 2025 –YWCA Metro St. Louis, which provides essential services to sexual assault and domestic violence survivors each year in the St. Louis region, is honoring the individuals, organizations, and youth whose dedication, innovation, and compassion strengthen crisis response across the region.
At a special event today at the City Foundry, YWCA honored several Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) organizations and volunteers who have made a positive difference in the lives of sexual assault and domestic violence survivors over the past year. The following awards, presented during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, included:
- SART Volunteer of the Year – Rosie Ford
- Justice Partner of the Year – Detective Lucas Brockmeyer of the St. Louis Metro Police Department and St. Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office Victim’s Service Unit
- Healthcare Partner of the Year – Bobbie Williams of BJC HealthCare and Michelle Vaught of Mehlville EMS
- Champion of the Year – The Salvation Army Midland Division
- Ally of the Year – Bank of America
- SART Youth Impact Award – Andrews Academy Creve Coeur
“Our volunteers and community partners enable us to deliver the trauma-informed, quality care and support that survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence need and deserve,” said Dr. Cheryl Watkins, President and CEO of YWCA Metro St. Louis. “We are deeply grateful for these heroes who foster environments where survivors feel safe. The partnership between volunteers, law enforcement, and other organizations is what makes it possible for us to deliver these crucial services. We also want to recognize those who work tirelessly every day to respond to trauma and collaborate to support survivors in our community. You are true community heroes.”
In 1986, YWCA established the Women’s Resource Center (WRC) to serve single parents, female heads of households, working women, and women at increased risk, such as teen mothers and abuse survivors. Three years later, the WRC implemented the Sexual Assault Response Team to provide 24-hour crisis intervention to survivors of sexual assault in area hospitals.
In 1994, a coalition of 20 service providers came together to extend and improve services for sexual assault survivors in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, and St. Charles County. Recognized for its leadership in supporting women and its SART expertise, YWCA was chosen to coordinate the development and implementation of a rape crisis center serving the greater St. Louis area. This collaborative effort aimed to create a comprehensive program that would meet community needs while being administered and supported by YWCA. Today, SART serves survivors of sexual and domestic violence. To date, thousands of survivors have received support and advocacy through the dedication, compassion, and innovation of YWCA staff, volunteers, and SART community partners.
ABOUT YWCA:
YWCA Metro St. Louis is the region’s leading advocate for the safety, security and stability of women and children, serving nearly 10,000 women and families annually. The mission of YWCA is eliminating racism and empowering women. YWCA offers crisis services and rapid re-housing for victims of sexual and domestic violence; services for pregnant women, Head Start and Early Head Start early childhood education; career readiness and economic empowerment services for all clients; and racial justice educational programs.