ZCenter Office Opens in Skokie

SKOKIE, IL - The Zacharias Sexual Abuse Center, which offers free counseling, support groups and advocacy to survivors of sexual violence and non-offending loved ones, officially opened its newest office in Skokie on Tuesday.

The ZCenter has helped victims of sexual violence for 30 years, and serves about 50,000 at their flagship site in Gurnee. The opening of the Skokie location will allow them to serve even more in the near north suburbs of Chicago.

Located at 4232 Dempster Street, the Skokie site “maximizes space and features a comforting and warm fireplace in the lobby, an art therapy room, a play therapy room, two group therapy rooms including one designed for expressive arts therapies, five client counseling rooms, a community training room, and space for the future healing garden,” according to a news release. A team of four staff, interns and volunteers will provide additional services with plans to grow the team over time.

“We are so grateful for the support of many generous financial and in-kind donors, including The North Suburban Healthcare Foundation, the Village of Skokie and Designs for Dignity,” said Amy Junge, ZCenter CEO. “As a result of the love and generosity of so many we can now provide these additional life transforming services through a beautiful Skokie location. We are proud to be a part of such a wonderful, caring community.”

A soft opening for the Skokie office took place a couple of weeks ago, and according to ZCenter Executive Director Adam Robinson, has already received “a great deal of interest and support from throughout the community.”

“We look forward to providing a healing environment for survivors of sexual violence, and educating the community to take action against this crime that affects so many in society,” Robinson said.