GCC collecting comfort bags for violence survivors
Press Release, GCC
BATAVIA – In New York State, more than 100,000 individuals seek services from rape crisis programs, domestic violence programs, and hospitals each year. In those dire times of need, items of comfort are often left behind, destroyed or not available to the victims and survivors of violence.
On April 4, 2016, the State University of New York set out on a mission to make a difference for those individuals. SUNY’s “Got Your Back” program was launched with a goal of assembling 2,016 comfort bags.
Comfort bags provide victims and survivors of violence basic necessities including shampoo and conditioner, body wash and lotion, toothbrushes and toothpaste, a comb, notebook, pen and crayons, a stress ball and valuable information on additional resources available as well as a comforting message of support.
The very next day, on April 5, 2016 SUNY campuses responded in a big way collectively pledging 5,000 comfort bags, and in August of that year they were assembled and provided. Countless volunteer hours and donations later, the 25,000th comfort bag was assembled in August of 2018. In 2019, the SUNY’s “Got Your Back” initiative expects to deliver more than 50,000 bags to individuals in need.
The Student Activities Office at Genesee Community College is honored to show its support for victims and survivors of violence by hosting a SUNY’s “Got Your Back” bag assembly event on Friday, April 5, at 5 p.m. in the Batavia Campus’s central Forum. This event is free and the public is encouraged to participate.
To help assemble GCC’s 500 comfort bags, please register at SA@genesee.edu. Additional details about the SUNY’s “Got Your Back” program are available by clicking here.
