Amador County – Operation Care last week announced the appointment of its new Executive Director Tammie Crabtree.

Board President Linda Zender said Operation Care’s board formally appointed Crabtree, who in the past four years has been dedicated to her positions with the organization as Program Manager, Deputy Director, and most recently, Interim Director. Crabtree enters her fifth year with the organization, after serving as interim executive director since July 28. She has been at Operation Care since 2007.

Zender said: “During this time, she met with virtually every client of Operation Care, whether survivors of domestic violence or sexual assault, families of victims, individuals attending support groups, or teens attending violence prevention workshops. This in-depth knowledge of the needs of survivors gives her valuable insight required for future planning.”

Zender said: “We are very proud of Tammie’s work, and pleased to announce her appointment as Executive Director.” She said Crabtree “has proven that she can manage business and financial issues, while still holding on to the compassion for our clients.”

Zender said Crabtree has “successfully managed the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing program for Amador County, a $300,000, two-year grant through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.” Through the program, 62 men, women, and children were assisted with rent, financial classes, and other life skills, allowing them to remain in their homes or to obtain housing for an average of 15 months.

Zender said Crabtree “was also the catalyst behind the Purple People awareness campaigns during Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October,” the last four years, as purple life-sized cut-outs were placed throughout the county, each with a different real-life story.

Crabtree said “although we live in a beautiful county with many caring and giving individuals, we are not immune from the harsh reality that Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault happen in our community to our neighbors, our families, our friends.” She said “although each one is different, every man, woman and child that finds themselves walking through our door are looking for the same thing; guidance, compassion, understanding and quite often a shoulder of support.”

As Executive Director, she plans “to provide the leadership for continued quality services and information for the citizens of Amador County.”

This fiscal year, Operation Care housed 27 adults and 17 children in safe shelter, totaling 1,278 bed nights. Advocates helped 52 victims with temporary restraining orders, and provided crisis intervention to 30 sexual assault victims. Staff provided transportation 783 times for domestic violence victims to get to safe shelter, appointments, court, or other locations.

The non-profit Operation Care has been providing services and safe shelter for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault for more than 30 years.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.