CARE Survivor Fund

In 2015, the CARE Advocates developed a new resource called the CARE Survivor Fund to aid victims, survivors, and secondary victims of sexual assault, sexual harassment, domestic/dating violence, and stalking. This fund has the ability to provide our clients with the emergency financial assistance they need to sustain them until more permanent resources can be accessed. Many times shelters are full and those fleeing abusive relationships need a safe place to stay immediately. Our CARE Survivor Fund can be used for a temporary hotel room or as a deposit for campus housing. Food pantries can sometimes be closed and our clients need access to groceries to feed themselves and/or their children. Perhaps they need a copy of their police report to file for a protection order. Other times they may need support in getting to the hospital for a sexual assault nurse exam (SANE), which is only provided at UMC.

The CARE Survivor Fund assists victims and survivors with the immediate financial burdens interpersonal violence can bare so that they can navigate their long journey to healing.  

The CARE Advocates (student volunteers) are a departmentally sponsored, volunteer student organization that adhere to a trauma-informed, healing centered approach to sexual violence prevention, relationship violence, and stalking. CARE Advocates prioritize the survivor’s right to self determination and autonomy.  

CARE Advocates volunteer within the JNWC to provide direct service to victims/survivors of relationship violence. Students are responsible for providing service in-office, or on our 24-hour crisis CARE Line. Students also collaborate with JNWC staff throughout the year to plan and facilitate various awareness events, as well as facilitate education presentations in the classroom.  

Last semester alone, we provided 19 clients the CARE Survivor Fund equaling over $4,800.