Rape Crisis Center Founder Nora Hochman will join STESA’s (Standing Together To End Sexual Assault) 50th anniversary celebration.
One of the initial founders of Santa Barbara Rape Crisis Center will make the trip to Santa Barbara to speak with the local community.
One of the founders of the Santa Barbara Rape Crisis Center (SBRCC), Nora Hochman will join STESA (Standing Together To End Sexual Assault) and its supporters at the Chocolate De Vine event this Saturday. Nora first moved to Isla Vista at age 17 and attended Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) once she turned 18 years old. At SBCC, she took a class on Women and Society taught by Dr. Barbara Lindemann, where she met Muff Biswell. Nora and Muff were passionate about the class and for their “term paper,” they decided to organize a rape crisis center, a resource of dire need in the community at the time. Together, with the support of their professor, Dr. Barbara Lindeman, Muff and Nora began SBRCC operations from Muff’s garage in 1974.
Nora later moved to northern California, studying Social Welfare at San Francisco State University and eventually landing her first job at a prisoner services organization in Santa Cruz in 1983. She later began working at an agency called Women's Crisis Support and Shelter Services, now called Mariposa Services. This is where Nora meets Elsa Granados, STESA’s current Executive Director.
Nora and Muff, with the support of Dr. Lindemann showed unwavering courage in establishing STESA for survivors of sexual assault and their loved ones. Their work has left a legacy of community change over the past 50 years.
STESA invites supporters to join its 50th Anniversary Celebration at the Chocolate De Vine fundraising event. We are honored to share this Golden Anniversary with Nora, who started this mission in 1974, and all of STESA’s supporters throughout the year. This year’s event will be held Saturday, May 18 from 4-7:30pm at the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara. The event will feature tastings from local chocolatiers and wineries will be happening this Saturday!
Don’t miss this special opportunity: https://www.chocolatedevine.org
About STESA: During the past year, STESA provided confidential services to over 400 clients and offered education to over 4,800 community members, including students, businesses, medical, social service, and law enforcement professionals. Funds raised from the event will support intervention and prevention programs.
Website: https://sbstesa.org/ | Facebook/Instagram: @sbstesa | Twitter: @STESA_SB
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For immediate release
Contact: Karla Huizar
* Press release and image provided by sbstesa.org 5-17-24