Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center Announces 2025 Spring Luncheon

The Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center (ZCenter) announces its highly anticipated Annual Spring Luncheon, set to take place on Friday, May 9, 2025 at 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at the Doubletree North Shore (9599 Skokie Blvd, Skokie). Themed Blooming in the Garden, this inspiring afternoon will feature keynote speaker Kori Cioca and bring together community leaders, advocates, and supporters to raise awareness and funds for survivors of sexual violence.

For more than 40 years, ZCenter has been a pillar of hope and healing, working tirelessly to end sexual assault and abuse. With strong community partnerships and unwavering support, the organization serves nearly 30,000 Northern Illinois residents each year from two locations -Gurnee and Skokie. The Spring Luncheon serves as a crucial fundraising event to support ZCenter’s mission to ensure that survivors continue to receive life changing crisis intervention, counseling, and advocacy services. All proceeds from the event will directly support ZCenter’s free, confidential services for survivors and their families, as well as prevention education programs aimed at ending sexual violence.

Keynote speaker Kori Cioca is a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, advocate, and survivor who has courageously shared her story of resilience and healing. A subject of the groundbreaking documentary The Invisible War, which exposed the epidemic of sexual violence in the military, Kori has become a powerful voice for change. Her advocacy has influenced policy reforms and provided hope to countless survivors. Attendees will have the unique opportunity to hear her compelling story and learn how collective action can create lasting change.

“Now more than ever, it’s critical that we show up for survivors—not just with words, but with action,” said Sandy T. Williams, CEO of ZCenter. “The Spring Luncheon is more than a fundraising event—it’s a gathering of hearts and minds committed to building a safer, more compassionate world. With rising rates of sexual violence and significant funding challenges, our work is far from over. But together, we can ensure that every survivor has access to the support, care, and justice they deserve.”

Sexual violence continues to be a widespread public health crisis, impacting individuals across all communities. Recent studies highlight the severity of the issue in Illinois:

• 11.6% of high school students reported experiencing sexual violence in the past year (YRBS, 2021).
• 58.3% of women and 34.1% of men in Illinois reported experiencing contact sexual violence in their lifetime (Smith et al., 2023).
• Federal and state funding cuts have significantly impacted the resources available to survivors and advocacy organizations.

ZCenter invites community members, businesses, and organizations to stand in solidarity with survivors by attending the Spring Luncheon. Those unable to attend can still make an impact through donations or sponsorship opportunities. For tickets or more information, please visit www.z center.org.

About Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center (ZCenter)
Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center (ZCenter) is dedicated to providing comprehensive, client-centered services to survivors of sexual assault and abuse—free of charge and in a safe, supportive, and judgment-free environment. Guided by a commitment to equality and empowerment, ZCenter works in partnership with survivors to aid in their healing journey. Beyond direct services which include individual and group counseling for adults and children, ZCenter is an active force in the community, advocating for survivors and working to end systemic sexual violence. Through trauma-informed care, advocacy, and prevention education, the organization mobilizes individuals and communities to create meaningful change.