Write a commentThroughout the month of October Oswego County Opportunities’ Services to Aid Families Program (SAF) has been raising awareness of domestic and sexual violence in Oswego County. In support of its efforts SUNY Oswego assured SAF that “We’ve Got Your Back!”
An initiative established by the SUNY Title IX Coordinators Association (STIXCA) “We’ve Got Your Back!” is a combined effort of SUNY schools throughout the state to put together Comfort Care Bags. “The bags are filled with sweatshirts, sweatpants, hygiene kits, inspirational notes, and other items that victims of sexual or physical abuse may need immediately after going to a hospital,” explained SUNY Oswego Title IX Coordinator Lisa Evaneski.
“Most all of the SUNY schools are participating in the “We’ve Got Your Back” initiative. Our initial goal was to put together 2016 Comfort Care Bags. To date we have 10,000 bags pledged across the state!” added Evaneski.
SUNY Oswego student volunteers gathered in Oswego’s Sheldon Hall ballroom recently to put together 100 Comfort Care Bags for the OCO SAF program. “It was a wonderful event,” said SAF Community Response Coordinator Stacie France. “Dozens of students from SUNY Oswego sororities, athletic teams, clubs and other organizations volunteered their time to create inspirational notes and fill Comfort Care Bags. They presented us with more than 100 bags and assured us that they will be providing us with more as we need them,” added France.
The OCO SAF program is the domestic violence and rape crisis program serving Oswego County. In 2015, SAF served almost 600 victims and survivors of domestic and sexual violence.
If you or someone you know is a victim or survivor of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual violence or stalking, please call the SAF Crisis Hotline at (315) 342-1600. The hotline is available 24 hours a day and is free and confidential. SAF is the domestic violence and rape crisis program for Oswego County and has provided crisis, supportive, advocacy and educational services throughout Oswego County for over 30 years.
Did you know ... Oswego County Opportunities is celebrating 50 years of service to the Oswego County community in 2016! To learn more about OCO’s past, present and future, visit www.oco.org.
