In conjunction with April being National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, YWCA Lancaster has slated its annual campaign to address sexual violence and promote the prevention of sexual violence in the local community. The 2019 theme is "I ASK."
YWCA Lancaster will hold its fifth annual Clothing and Comfort Drive during April. Community members are invited to make donations of new clothing items or monetary donations to purchase new clothing for victim survivors of sexual assault who are given a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (SAFE) at local hospitals. Many hospitals provide donated clothing to patients in order to replace the clothing collected for evidential purposes. Items needed include undergarments, sweatshirts, T-shirts, yoga pants, and sweatpants for people of all genders and ages, as well as comfort items such as small stuffed animals, fidget toys, coloring books, and stress toys. Items may be dropped off at YWCA Lancaster, 110 N. Lime St., Lancaster, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays from Monday, April 1, through Tuesday, April 30.
Take Back the Night will take place on April 1 at 6:30 p.m. at YWCA Lancaster. The survivor-centered event will focus on uplifting and supporting those whose lives have been impacted by sexual violence. It will feature Jennifer Storm, Pennsylvania Victim Advocate and survivor, as well as a survivor speak-out, during which survivors may share their stories, how they healed, and how they have moved forward.
Body Safety Story Time and Craft events will be offered at Lancaster Public Library, 125 N. Duke St. Sexual assault counselor and educator Danielle Perez will lead the interactive and family-friendly programs, which will focus on raising awareness of body safety and boundaries. Programs for prekindergarten-age children will be offered on Mondays, April 1 and 15, at 10:30 a.m., with programs for school-age children on Wednesdays, April 10 and 24, from 6 to 7 p.m.
Not Alone: Uniting Stories of Survivors will be offered from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9, at Zoetropolis, 112 N. Water St., Lancaster. YWCA Lancaster, in collaboration with Lancaster Story Slam, will host a night of storytelling and spoken word sharing survivors' stories. Registration is required for the pay-as-you-can event.
On Wednesday, April 17, a fundraiser will take place at Rachel's Creamery and Creperie, 201 W. Walnut St., Lancaster. Business hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. A portion of the business's proceeds will be donated to YWCA Lancaster's Sexual Assault Prevention and Counseling Center.
A screening of "Roll Red Roll" will take place on Monday, April 22, at Zoetropolis. The movie is a true-crime thriller.
To see a listing of all the events and to register for Not Alone: Uniting Stories of Survivors, readers may visit http://www.ywcalancaster.org/SAAM.
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