Shelby County Mayor Mark H. Luttrell, Jr. and a host of other dignitaries will celebrate the work of the Shelby County Rape Crisis Center and Shelby County Crime Victims Center at an anniversary and awards ceremony on Thursday, April 30, 5:30 p.m., at Christ United Methodist Church, 4488 Poplar Avenue.

This will be the 40th year the Rape Crisis Center has served victims. It was started in 1975 and linked to the Memphis Police Department, and was one of the first centers of its type in the nation. Shelby County Government took over operations in 2009.

Additionally, 2015 is the 20th anniversary of the Shelby County Crime Victims Center. It was created through the efforts of former Shelby County Mayor Jim Rout and community advocate Linda Miller, the center’s first executive director. “Both Mayor Rout and Ms. Miller were visionaries in their desire to help crime victims. So much is owed to these dedicated community servants,” said Mayor Luttrell.