A longtime northwest Kansas advocate has been named the latest Covenant Builders Hometown Hero.

Charlotte Linsner has dedicated her life to helping victims of all different forms of abuse. She started with Options: Domestic and Sexual Violence Services in the late 1970s as a volunteer. She then became an outreach advocate for nine different counties in Kansas for six years. She moved into the director role for 14 years.

The aptly named Options provides options for victims of abuse. Linsner has dedicated her life to the shelter and has worked with many other groups including Jana’s Campaign and the Salvation Army.

Linsner will be honored between Thursday’s Fort Hays State University basketball games at Gross memorial Coliseum. The women’s game against Central Oklahoma is scheduled to tip off at 5:30 p.m., with the men’s game set to begin at 7:30 p.m.

“I am extremely honored to accept this award, but I can tell you that I will only accept it for the courageous women and children who are being abused every day and do not know whether they will live through the day,” she said. “What makes the advocates jobs easier is the way so many people throughout northwest Kansas support Options with caring and donations. Everyone who works or has worked for Options truly thanks the communities we serve for their kindness and contributions. The agency has been providing services to victims/survivors since the late 1970s and can only continue to do so by the kindness and donations of others.

Options, which serves 18 counties in northwest Kansas, can be reached at (785) 625-3055 or (800) 794-4624 for services and any questions concerning services.