The Rowan Center: A Sexual Assault Resource Agency

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am delighted to share that the Rowan Center board has enthusiastically and unanimously appointed Sharon Walker Epps as our new Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1st. This transition marks a new and exciting chapter for our organization as we continue to champion the mission of supporting and empowering survivors of sexual violence while remaining dedicated to educating our communities about sexual violence prevention.  Sharon is a visionary leader who wears her passion for our mission proudly. She consistently strives to identify new ways to better serve survivors and our community. Her fierce advocacy for those we support uniquely positions her to lead us into this exciting new chapter. Sharon’s extensive history with the Rowan Center has been one of commitment and growth. She joined the Board of Directors in June 2018, first serving as Board Secretary and ultimately as Board Chair from 2020 to 2024. Under her leadership, the Rowan Center underwent remarkable growth and transformation, marked by rebranding, an expansion of services, and a budget that more than doubled. Sharon’s strategic vision and determination have been instrumental in shaping our path forward. In addition to her role on the Board, Sharon also spearheaded our marketing efforts, fostering meaningful and lasting relationships with our community partners. Her ability to connect with others has not only elevated our visibility but has also expanded our reach and raised awareness for our mission. In early 2024, Sharon joined the staff of the Rowan Center as Chief Operating Officer, further demonstrating her commitment to and passion for the services we provide and the victims we serve. Throughout her tenure, she has consistently shown her dedication to the Rowan Center team, actively supporting the development of our trauma recovery clinic, and creating innovative marketing initiatives to broaden our reach and impact. Sharon graduated from Hamilton College with a degree in Economics and received an MBA from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Her background, combined with her hands-on experience and unwavering dedication, equips her to lead our organization into the future. We are fortunate to have such a passionate leader stepping up as CEO, and we look forward to introducing Sharon to you all in the coming months. We want to thank our donors and supporters for your commitment to the Rowan Center and ask for your continued support during this time of transition. Our heartfelt gratitude and special thanks to Mary Flynn for her outstanding leadership and dedication as CEO over the past seven years. Her contributions have laid a strong foundation for our future and we wish her the best in her retirement! With gratitude, Jennifer Barnard Chair of the Board The Rowan Center

Last Friday, our Director of Education, Sarah Malhotra, joined a panel of speakers at It Does Happen Here hosted by OK to Delay Darien, The Depot - Darien Youth Center, and Middlesex Parent Association. The panelists discussed how parents can protect their kids in today's rapidly changing world and covered topics like sextortion, e-bikes, and Halloween safety. At The Rowan Center, we believe prevention starts with awareness and community action. Together, we can build a community where all children feel safe, supported, and empowered. Visit our website at https://lnkd.in/gVJm-vNq for tools to support safe, open communication with your children.

In today's digital world, our children face unprecedented threats from online predators and exploitation. As screen time increases, so does the risk. At The Rowan Center, we are committed to raising awareness and protecting our youth from these dangers. In a recent op-ed featured in the Stamford Advocate, The Rowan Center CEO Mary Forman Flynn discusses the disturbing trends of online exploitation and how communities can take action. Together, we can protect our children by staying informed, vigilant, and proactive. 📰 Read the full op-ed to learn more about the steps we can all take to safeguard our children: https://lnkd.in/g2_JZjVU #ChildSafety #DigitalSafety #EndExploitation #Deepfakes #TheRowanCenter

The Rowan Center is thrilled to announce new support from the Saks Fifth Avenue Foundation, whose generous grant will enable us to expand our Crisis Response Program. With this grant, The Rowan Center is able to provide critical resources to schools across lower Fairfield County, helping educators and staff support children in times of crisis and offer much-needed follow-up care to affected families and school personnel.  "At The Rowan Center, we are committed to ensuring that every child, family, and educator in our community feels supported when they need it most. This new partnership with the Saks Fifth Avenue Foundation not only strengthens our ability to provide schools with resources to address sensitive situations, but also ensures that survivors receive the care they deserve, while offering ongoing support to everyone involved. Together, we are creating safer environments for children and families in our community." – Mary Flynn, CEO of The Rowan Center We are deeply grateful for this new partnership with Saks and the positive impact it will have on the well-being of children and families in our community. #mentalhealthmatters #childsafety #believesurvivors #CrisisResponse #nonprofitpartnerships

To my friends and colleagues, Almost seven years ago, I joined The Rowan Center staff as the Interim Executive Director, expecting to stay for just six months in that role. Today, seven years later, I have made the difficult decision to retire. My last day as CEO of The Rowan Center will be December 31. Leading this organization has been one of the most fulfilling opportunities of my life. I have had the honor of working alongside an extraordinary team of dedicated professionals who show unwavering commitment to saving lives every day. Together, we have built a vision for The Rowan Center—one that dreams of a world where victims are treated with dignity, where healing is possible, and where our children are safeguarded through prevention education. I am deeply grateful to our friends, partners, and funders who have shared in this vision and supported the many new initiatives we’ve brought to life over these seven years. Expanding our advocacy services, tackling trafficking and cybercrimes in our education programs, and most recently, opening our Trauma Recovery Clinic—none of this could have happened without your belief in our mission. I am profoundly proud of the work we’ve done together. As I step into this next chapter, I will continue to be an advocate for The Rowan Center’s mission and its incredible future. I look forward to seeing the organization evolve and grow, knowing it will continue to touch countless lives and make a difference where it matters most. With gratitude, Mary Forman Flynn Chief Executive Officer The Rowan Center

We are deeply concerned about the recent news of funding cuts that could severely impact the essential services for survivors of sexual violence across Connecticut. Every victim and survivor deserves access to support, advocacy, and the resources needed for healing. These services are not luxuries—they are lifelines. In CT Insider's article, our chief operating officer, Sharon Walker Epps says, "If I take out any one person, it’s going to directly affect how our victims are treated at the hospital, how they're treated at the courthouse, how they're treated at the police station, how many people we can counsel and how many kids we can educate." Read the full article now at https://lnkd.in/gg_xXgUc.

We're honored to be the philanthropic beneficiary of tonight's Chartered Accountants Worldwide Network USA New York Chapter and Society of Insurance Financial Management Charity Black Tie Ball. Our Head of Development, Cody Baird, will be in attendance to speak on behalf of The Rowan Center and thank the CAW Network USA for their generosity!

Ready to support victims and survivors in a new way? Sign up for Certified Advocate Training and get a in-depth education that will prepare you to answer calls on The Rowan Center's hotline, advocate at community events, and/or accompany victims and survivors to the hospital, court, or police station. We want YOU to be part of our incredible community of advocates—so sign up today! Learn more and register now at https://buff.ly/3MxgfCw

Join in on a Day Of Action for The Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act! Critical funding for victim services is in jeopardy. Join us today on this national day of action to urge Congress to pass the bipartisan Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2024 (CVFSA) (S.4514/H.R.8061) this year. You can protect victims' safety and healing by calling and emailing your members of Congress, tagging them in social media posts, writing a letter to the editor, or even pitching a story to your local journalist.

The Rowan Center relies on an incredible network of advocates to help us serve victims and survivors in our communities—and our next Certified Advocate Training session begins this October! If you are interested in becoming an advocate, volunteering with The Rowan Center, and providing essential services like hospital/police/court accompaniments and crisis support to victims and survivors by working on our 24-hour hotline, we invite you to sign up for this 4-week training. Learn more and apply now at https://buff.ly/3MxgfCw