ROCHELLE — It was a single step first taken by a local minister and a police officer that would bring services to residents by creating a hotline after identifying a need for Ogle County domestic violence victims to receive help and services.
Decades later HOPE of Ogle County continues its journey, or mission, to advocate on behalf of domestic abuse victims and their children as well as provide resources and support services in a welcoming environment.
“We are in our 35th year of serving victims and survivors of domestic violence,” said Executive Director Ruth Carter. “We’re lucky, we’ve got great counselors and great staff who are really good listeners with our clients. Not only our counselors but our court advocates as well. We are all about listening and being there for the clients we serve.”
Carter joined HOPE in 1991 as a counselor and in 2009 transitioned into the executive director position. She talked about her earlier years as a counselor and the importance of providing that support to someone in need.
“Being a counselor … it trains you to listen … we learn that in school, but then as you work with clients and serve people in this area over the years, it’s definitely ingrained in you the importance of listening to any story and believing what you’re hearing,” Carter explained. “It’s key to someone trusting you, it’s being able to listen to what they’re saying. Even if it’s coming out as scattered as they sometimes are. But as you are hearing it you are supporting them through it.”
The majority of HOPE’s clients come to the agency for some type of supportive service such as individual, family counseling, crisis counseling or attending support groups for adults and children. These are provided in the Rochelle and Oregon facilities.
The agency provides court advocacy, which can involve orders of protection, as well as advocacy for Spanish-speaking clients. Shelter services help clients with multiple resources, connecting them with employment, education, affordable housing, transportation and child care.

“Our shelter coordinator guides all of that. There is also extended emergency shelter for one family at a time that gives them an additional three months to get back on their feet and the resources they need to find affordable housing,” Carter added.
Looking forward
Carter shared a vision of HOPE is to provide more prevention services; she and two staff members visit Rochelle Township High School classes, providing education on healthy relationships and dating violence prevention to every student. HOPE staff discusses how teens can set boundaries as they begin dating and how to detect early warning signs.
“It’s bringing awareness and providing them some of the things to look for that are some early red flags in controlling relationships,” Carter said, describing the curriculum. “We also discuss setting boundaries more so at the beginning so that it’s less difficult than being a year into a relationship. Then what they could do if boundaries don’t work and how they could look at what’s healthy for them or if they are thinking about getting out, how they could do it safely and if there are also suicidal threats. We talk about those pieces because it does increase the danger level.”
The prevention education is something Carter said she hopes to expand on, possibly providing client work on campus and tying it into support groups after school.
“What we know about reaching teens and providing services to teens is it needs to be consistent. One time isn’t as much of an impact as actually having a supportive person in the environment where they can come and talk to about what’s going on … that’s the vision.”
Several staff members have been involved with HOPE for decades, including Kelly Kempson who has been on board over 30 years as a court advocate. Ronna Williams will also be retiring after 25 years with the agency.
HOPE still plans to continue to provide strangulation training to professionals, first responders and counseling professionals and have discussed offering in other areas such as nursing schools.
Domestic violence does not discriminate and affects all levels of socioeconomic status, education and race. It also comes in many forms including physical, emotional and sexual abuse.
“We serve everyone, individuals who are gay/lesbian, trans, men, have multiple issues or have other things they are struggling with. We are handicapped accessible … anybody can come through our doors and reach out for help. We also have four Spanish-speaking staff members,” Carter said. We are here, we are available 24/7. We answer the phone automatically, no voicemail.