Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands expands services in Sumter County, seeks volunteers for new office project
January 29, 2019
Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands (STSM) is moving to 21 North Harvin Street in downtown Sumter, South Carolina. The new office will accommodate two full-time clinicians, a full-time advocate, and four community engagement and prevention education team members.
“We are grateful to grow our footprint in Sumter County,” Mary Dell Hayes, STSM Executive Director, said. “The community has been incredibly supportive of STSM’s mission to advocate for and support survivors of sexual assault and to educate the community to identify and prevent sexual violence.”
The new office requires a fresh coat of paint. Paint and supplies are being donated by Sherwin-Williams in Sumter.
“We would not be able to move into this wonderful space without the support of building owners, Buck James and Jack James, and local business owners like Matt Stutz of Sherwin-William,” Hayes said. “Support from generous community members makes it possible for STSM to serve hundreds of survivors in Sumter County.”
Help from community members is requested to get the new office ready to serve clients. STSM will provide all paint and necessary tools. STSM will host paint parties on Thursday, January 31 and Thursday, February 7 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. STSM will also host groups on the following dates:
- Saturday, February 2 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Sunday, February 3 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Saturday, February 16 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Sunday, February 17 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Youth groups, civic groups, and other organizations interested in helping can request other days and times to assist with this project.
For more information about the paint project or services in Sumter County, please contact Mary Dell Hayes, STSM Executive Director, at [email protected] or (803) 790-8208.
Visit STSM’s website at www.stsm.org to get more information about STSM’s services and volunteer opportunities. If you or someone you know is a survivor of sexual violence, call STSM’s 24-hour confidential hotline at 803-771-7273. You are not alone.
Media inquiries should be directed to Layla Ferjani, STSM Director of Marketing, at
803-790-8208 or [email protected].
About Sexual Trauma Services of the Midlands
Sexual Trauma Services is a 501(c)3 private, nonprofit, United Way community partner, headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina. Formerly named Rape Crisis Network, Sexual Trauma Services serves Richland, Lexington, Newberry, Sumter, and Clarendon Counties. Sexual Trauma Services is committed to providing free support to survivors of sexual assault and abuse, including a 24-hour crisis hotline, hospital accompaniment, court accompaniment, personal advocacy, and individual and group counseling. In addition, Sexual Trauma Services works to educate the community to identify and prevent sexual violence. For more information or to donate online:Â www.stsm.org.
