At AUI we are proud to be advocates for our community. For the third year in a row, we are teaming up with She Builds to support worthy organizations that lift women and children in need. This year She Builds is partnering with Hope and Healing Center in Akron, Ohio, and Haven Home in Cleveland. Both organizations help women and children who find themselves homeless for any number of reasons including domestic violence.
Did you know that 1 in 15 children are exposed to intimate partner violence each year, and 90% of these children are eyewitnesses to this violence –Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention
The need for centers like Hope and Healing and Haven Home are helping thousands of people each month. On one day in September 2020 in Ohio, 1,246 domestic violence victims found refuge in emergency shelters or transitional housing provided by local domestic violence programs. –NCADV
Since the COVID pandemic that need has only risen. Together we can do big things and AUI is proud to sponsor this important work in our communities.
How to Get Involved:
Save the date! Training days for volunteers is scheduled at Tri-C on September 16th, 2023. During the training, volunteers will learn the scope of the projects, help understand their role as a volunteer and participate in panel discussions, hands-on training, and more.
What Will Volunteers Be Doing?
- painting
- playground building
- weeding
- mulching
- building
- clean-up
Volunteers should wear sturdy shoes, and clothing that they are not afraid to get dirty or paint in. If participating in the outdoor restoration of spaces, we recommend bringing garden gloves/work gloves, hats, and sunscreen.
All volunteers will be briefed and trained on September 16th at Tri-C for the fall project kick-off. For more information please contact: Rich Carpenter at 330-773-4100 or email at rich.c@rtneo.org
Volunteer Days for She Builds:
Hope & Healing Center in Akron, Saturday, October 14th, 2023
Hope & Healing Survivor Resource Center is an emergency shelter for women and children in Northeast, Ohio. Combining resources with the Rape Crisis Center and the Battered Women Shelter. The Hope & Healing Survivor Resource Center now has locations in both Summit and Medina Counties. The campuses include space for RCC therapy offices, BWS 24-hour emergency shelter, and administrative offices.
They are proud to offer programs that provide support through the healing journey. Whether we are meeting a survivor for the first time in the hospital following an incident or providing therapy and support groups to survivors whose assault occurred years prior. Hope & Healing Centers have a 24-hour hotline, court advocacy, support groups, free therapy, and more. The Rape Crisis Center of Medina and Summit Counties is unique in that satellite offices are housed at The University of Akron’s campus. Our Campus Manager and advocates provide prevention for all students and advocacy for those in need.
Haven Home in Cleveland, Saturday, September 30th, 2023
The Haven Home is a homeless shelter for families in Cleveland, Ohio. It serves an average of 20 families a month, with an average stay of about three weeks. Haven Home opened under a service model that provided shelter from 6 p.m. until 7 a.m. the following morning on weekdays and all day on weekends and federally recognized holidays. The onset of COVID-19 caused closures of the Cosgrove, public libraries, recreation centers, and other locations where the families typically spent their time until Haven Home opened. Today, Haven Home expanded its hours to a 24-hour service model and expanded its offerings to include art therapy, parenting, career coaching, housing, and employment workshops.
The Haven Home is located at 6114 Francis Ave. in the Slavic Village neighborhood.
About She Builds:
She Builds is a powerful collaboration between Rebuilding Together, corporate and community leaders who are dedicated to advancing the housing and community issues affecting women. Volunteers, homeowners, and community members come, learn and build a myriad of experiences and skills to share and learn from one another.
She Builds Program Goals:
🌞 Increase the number of women homeowners, volunteers, and community members that are competent in basic home repairs.
🌞 Increase the self-worth of women homeowners, volunteers, and community members through making a difference in their communities and building a supportive community network.
🌞 Improve housing and community stability through the creation of safer and healthier housing and community spaces.
🌞 Increase partnerships between women-owned and women-led businesses, organizations, groups, non-profits and women in need.
“Something that really matters to me about this project is that She Builds really focuses on revitalizing communities, and women are often overlooked in that process. I think it is so empowering that we can learn skills that can pour back into our lives and other women’s lives. Women can be successful in a male-dominated field. It is important for women to learn skills, and to be able to do it for ourselves, teach each other, we can lift so many women up in the long run.” -Arianna Mack M.S. Program Coordinator of Rebuilding Together Northeast Ohio.
Interested in Volunteering with She Builds? Get more information on their website: https://www.rebuildingtogetherneo.org/volunteer
