Maria's Story

Cleveland - Social Justice Advocate

When Cleveland Rape Crisis Center (CRCC) volunteers tell people how they spend their free time, a common reaction is “Wow--how do you do that work? Isn’t it hard?”  For Maria Miranda, the answer is simple. “CRCC puts survivors first. Supporting survivors always comes first. The work I do helps people begin to move on and feel alive again. It is very rewarding.”

Prior to joining CRCC, Maria advocated for various social justice issues as a policy and fundraising volunteer. She felt a need to go beyond the more administrative advocate role she had been playing, and take part in the direct service work that organizations like CRCC provide. After completing training, Maria began picking up shifts on the 24-hour Hotline, as well as volunteering with “Girls Kick Butt”, CRCC’s youth empowerment program, which focuses on girls aged 12-18. 

“I loved being a part of GKB because of its uniqueness.  I had the opportunity to experience first hand girls opening up, interacting, and engaging with each other, and with us.  There is no other program quite like it,” Maria shares. She also relished the opportunity the program affords to young women – the ability to recognize when they are in an unhealthy relationship or place and skills to actively change those situations.

Maria’s experiences as a hotline volunteer have affected her in many ways. “We can talk a lot about policy, and the importance of making change happen, but it is something totally different to speak to someone, to interact with someone who has been impacted so greatly by sexual assault.”

One hotline caller in particular stands out to Maria - a young woman who was so traumatized by her assault that she was terrified to leave her bedroom. The caller felt isolated and alone. Maria spent time with her on the phone encouraging her to take the first steps. “I asked her what it might feel like to just try to go to her bedroom door. And then maybe the next day, try opening the door and stepping into the hallway. We made a plan over the phone of how she would try each day to take one more step. Walking her through that plan was really gratifying, to know that I was making a difference for someone who needed someone to listen, to give them strength and encouragement.”

Simply listening to survivors is often the first step in their healing process.  By doing this, volunteers like Maria make a difference in the lives of thousands of hotline callers each year. “I decided to get involved because I know we have the power to help those impacted by sexual assault and change the culture around rape.  I am proud to be a face of change.”