Family Counseling Center executive director honored

Sherrie L. Crabb, the executive director of the Family Counseling Center Inc. in Vienna, recently was recognized by Harmony Health Plan Inc. as part of their 2017 Harmony CommUnity initiative.  

Along with other award winners in the areas of health care, education and community support, Crabb was the recipient of an advocacy award.

Comments made in Crabb’s nomination for the honor included:

“Sherrie is very passionate about educating local community members and professionals about issues and trends related to behavioral, developmental and senior health in Southern Illinois. Sherrie’s deep commitment to keeping her community strong and vibrant transcends into everything she does.” 

Crabb said she took inspiration for her mission of advocacy from a surprising source.

“As I sat there reading Dr. Seuss’s ‘The Lorax’ to my son several years ago, one line really took hold,” Crabb said. 

“That line was, ‘Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better, it’s not.’  

“In my case, facing the challenges we’ve faced in our agency over the last two years, I knew a voice needed to be given to those who may not otherwise be heard.”

In response to the budget impasse in the State of Illinois, Crabb said she worked to be that voice.

“I traveled thousands of miles up, down and across the State of Illinois,” she said.  

“I took the voices of those I met every step of the way, taking them to legislative committees, media outlets, town halls, congressional members and even the governor himself.”

Crabb thanked Harmony Health Plan for its recognition of the important role of advocacy in the field of human services.  

She continues her advocacy efforts in multiple areas, both for the Family Counseling Center and in collaboration with other local agencies to reshape the message of non-profits in the region.