Intervention & Crisis Advocacy Network, ICAN!, was born in November 1980 from a group of dedicated women in a women's study class at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. They recognized a need for rape victims to have emergency services and support. In February of 1981, the concept was incorporated as the Women's Service Center of Chickasha, Inc. Volunteers were recruited, trained and the 24-hour crisis line for rape victims was set up in May 1981. Seed funding was donated by the community and a small office at the Grady County Fairgrounds was obtained. In January of 1982, office facilities were acquired in the Grady County Youth Services building, In May of 1986, a grant was received to open a satellite office in El Reno to serve victims in Canadian County. In 1991, because of the small, cramped quarters of the Center's offices, the Board of Directors purchased the former Baptist Student Union in Chickasha. After having offices in rented or donated space in El Reno the satellite office finally got a permanent home in August of 1997, which still serves as our program house today. In 2017, the Board of Directors purchased the house where services are now provided in Chickasha. In March of 2021, ICAN expanded our service locations in Canadian County when we secured additional funding for staff to serve as the onsite domestic violence service provider at the Canadian County Family Justice Center.

In 2023, ICAN served 920 people. Because of that group of students efforts, ICAN has been providing services for 43 years.

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The below gallery includes documents, articles and pictures from our beginning through our early years.