You deserve support and healing.

Our dedicated team is here to provide compassionate care and resources, ensuring you feel safe and empowered every step of the way.

Focusing on You

01 — Crisis Intervention

Immediate support is available through our 24/7 hotline and emergency response services, ensuring that you have access to help whenever you need it. Our trained professionals are ready to provide assistance, guidance, and resources at any time, day or night, to ensure your safety and well-being.

02 — Counseling

ACE Center staff counselors deliver comprehensive counseling tailored to address the nuanced challenges posed by incidents of sexual violence. For matters exceeding our scope, such as mental health concerns or domestic abuse issues, referrals to external agencies are facilitated. Moreover, counseling support extends to significant others (families and friends).

03 — Legal Advocacy

We offer comprehensive assistance navigating the legal system, including court accompaniment, information on your legal rights, and support with filing protection orders. Our experienced advocates are here to guide you through the legal process, providing the resources and emotional support you need to understand and exercise your rights fully.

04 — Medical Advocacy

We provide essential support during medical examinations and coordinate with healthcare providers to ensure you receive the best possible care. Our advocates are available to accompany you to appointments, offer emotional support, and facilitate communication between you and your healthcare team, ensuring that your medical needs are met with sensitivity and respect.

05 — Case Management

Case management offers personalized support to individuals or families with complex needs, coordinating resources and services from various community sectors. We act as your guide through healthcare, social services, housing, education, financial assistance and employment systems. Through goal setting and regular monitoring, we empower you to overcome obstacles, improving your quality of life and self-sufficiency.

The Sexual Assault Advocate’s Role

Our sexual assault advocates are dedicated to prioritizing the well-being of survivors, respecting their autonomy, and empowering them to pursue their aspirations. We provide personalized support tailored to the unique needs of each survivor, offering a safe space for them to express themselves without judgment. Our advocates are trained professionals equipped with the knowledge and resources to address a wide range of issues, including trauma, legal rights, and access to services. We work collaboratively with survivors to develop personalized goals and action plans, advocating for their needs and rights every step of the way. Whether it's providing emotional support during difficult times, assisting with navigating the legal system, or connecting survivors with community resources, we are committed to standing alongside survivors on their journey to healing and empowerment

Our Commitment

Confidential Care

According to 42 Pa. Cons. Stat. Ann. § 5945.1(b)1, you can be confident that your conversations with our sexual assault counselors are completely confidential. Your privacy is important to us, and we are committed to protecting it.

Free of Charge

We believe that access to support should never be hindered by financial constraints. That's why our services are provided completely free of charge, ensuring that survivors can access the help they need without any barriers.

Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to diversity, inclusivity, and non-discrimination, providing free translation services to ensure all individuals, regardless of background or language, can access our support.

You have the power within you to heal and transform.

We empower you to recognize your inner resilience and courage, encouraging you to harness it to overcome obstacles and reclaim control over your narrative.

Our Empowerment-Based Counseling Approach

At Adams County Empowerment Center, we embrace an empowerment-based counseling approach, placing the strength, resilience, and autonomy of survivors at the forefront of our care. Our philosophy is rooted in the belief that every survivor possesses the inherent power to heal and reclaim their life. Our role is to support and guide this transformative journey.

How We Implement Empowerment-Based Counseling

Client-Centered Care: We prioritize the needs, goals, and preferences of each survivor, ensuring they have an active role in their healing process. By listening deeply and validating their experiences, we foster an environment where survivors feel heard, respected, and understood.

Strengths-Based Focus: Our counseling approach highlights and builds upon the inherent strengths and resources each survivor brings. By recognizing their courage and resilience, we help survivors see their own potential and capabilities.

Collaborative Goal Setting: Together with survivors, we set realistic and personalized goals that align with their values and aspirations. This collaborative process ensures that survivors are invested in their own healing and recovery journey.

Education and Skill-Building: We provide survivors with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate their healing process. This includes coping strategies, self-care techniques, and information about trauma and its effects, empowering them to take control of their mental and emotional well-being.

Advocacy and Support: Our counselors advocate for survivors' rights and needs, both within our agency and in the broader community. We provide resources, referrals, and support to help survivors access additional services, such as legal aid, medical care, and community programs.

Empowerment through Choice: We respect each survivor's right to make their own decisions about their healing journey. By offering options and respecting their choices, we empower survivors to take control of their path to recovery.

Continuous Feedback and Adaptation: We value the feedback of survivors and continuously adapt our services to better meet their needs. This ensures that our approach remains dynamic, relevant, and effective in supporting their empowerment and healing.

At Adams County Empowerment Center, we believe that empowerment is the cornerstone of healing. Our counselors are committed to providing compassionate, strengths-based support that honors each survivor's journey and celebrates their resilience.

Meet the Team