Jennifer Adams Honored in Sacramento by Senator Bill Monning
Courtesy photo
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — In March, Senate Majority Leader Bill Monning honored Jennifer Adams as the 2018 District 17 Woman of the Year. Presented by the Legislative Women’s Caucus during Women’s History Month, the Woman of the Year award recognizes 120 women from all over California for accomplishments in their fields and their dedication to improving the lives of others.
Adams was selected to receive this year’s Woman of the Year award for her almost 20 years of work serving victims of sexual and domestic violence. Adams is the Executive Director of RISE, a non-profit that serves survivors of sexual assault and intimate partner violence and their loved ones in San Luis Obispo County. Previously the Executive Director of both the North County Women’s Shelter and the Sexual Assault Recovery & Prevention Center, Adams saw an opportunity to provide comprehensive services to victims, and oversaw the merger of those two organizations, which rebranded as RISE in 2013. A resident of Atascadero, Adams is a Cal Poly graduate, wife and mother of a large extended family, and lover of the Central Coast.
Adams says she continues to be fueled by her passion to create a community free from interpersonal violence: “In this work, I continue to be inspired by survivors, as well as our incredible staff, volunteers, and board of directors. I am so thankful to have been honored with this award, and I hope the accompanying recognition inspires others to get involved in the movement to end sexual and domestic violence. I would encourage everyone to learn more about us at RISEslo.org, and come to our Walk a Mile events this April!”
RISE Board President Debby Nicklas said, “On behalf of the RISE Board of Directors, we are so pleased to see Jennifer awarded this special recognition. Her ongoing dedication to the mission of RISE is truly remarkable. We know that with her leadership, RISE is making a difference every day to transform the lives of sexual and intimate partner violence survivors.”
Senator Bill Monning represents Senate District 17 which includes the cities of Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Gilroy, San Luis Obispo, Morgan Hill, Seaside, Paso Robles, Atascadero, Monterey, and several more smaller cities.
ABOUT RISE: RISE is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization (formerly SARP Center and North County Women’s Shelter) whose mission is to transform the lives of sexual and intimate partner violence survivors, their families, and the community through services and education that promote safety, healing and empowerment. RISE provides the following programs: 24-hour crisis line, case management, restraining order assistance, accompaniment and advocacy, two emergency shelters, prevention education, and individual and group counseling.