New England Patriots Give $100K to Sojourner House, Nonprofit Turns Into Challenge Grant
GoLocalProv News Team
New England Patriots Give $100K to Sojourner House, Nonprofit Turns Into Challenge Grant
“We want to leverage a gift of this size to ensure that we can sustain the additional services this gift will allow us to provide beyond just this year," said Sojourner House Executive Director Vanessa Volz. "We call upon our community to join with the Patriots to help us raise $100,000 in additional funds year after year through our Sustainers’ Circle."
In 2015, the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation awarded Sojourner House with a $100,000 grant in support of its transitional housing program.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTEncouraging Match
This year, the gift will be used as a challenge grant to recruit more monthly donors to the agency. Called the Sustainers’ Circle, Sojourner House’s monthly donor program helps to ensure that victims have access to the support they need to overcome trauma and succeed all year long.
“Our goal is to recruit 200 community members to become a monthly donor of Sojourner House, which will allow us to match the Patriots’ gift for years to come," said Volz. "A $100,000 grant goes a long way. Not only will these funds help victims stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, but they will also help victims to pay their rent, provide for their children, and receive the support they need to overcome their trauma for the long-term. We are so grateful to the New England Patriots for once again selecting Sojourner House as the recipient of such a large gift. It will have such a positive, and long-lasting, impact on victims of abuse in Rhode Island.
COVID-19 has impacted victims of abuse in many ways, and Sojourner House has responded to these changing needs by adapting their programs accordingly. In addition to providing advocacy, clinical therapy, and support groups virtually, the agency now operates its crisis hotline 24 hours a day and is offering a texting feature, thereby allowing victims who may be living with their abusers a safe alternative to speaking to an advocate face to face.
See Volz on GoLocal LIVE HERE
About Sojourner House:
Founded in 1976, the mission of Sojourner House is to promote healthy relationships by providing culturally sensitive support, advocacy, housing, and education for victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking; and to effect systems change. Sojourner House offers Rhode Island's largest and most comprehensive residential services program for victims and survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, including safe shelter, transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, rental assistance, and rapid re-housing.
In addition to safe housing, Sojourner House provides trauma-informed supportive services, such as clinical therapy, immigration advocacy, one-on-one advocacy, support groups, financial literacy education, and access to basic necessities like food. Sojourner House also provides counseling, expressive arts, child care, and a free summer camp, Camp Eureka, for children who witness abuse in their homes. Sojourner House operates the only Drop-In advocacy and resource center in the greater Providence area, offering victims and community members access to support and services when and where they need it most. For more information, visit www.sojournerri.org.