Scranton, PA- October 26, 2020- The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) and Victims’ Intervention Program (VIP) are excited to announce they have received $174,000 in funding from the AllOne Foundation. The vision of the AllOne Foundation is to work with others or independently to enhance the present healthcare delivery system of Northeastern and North Central Pennsylvania and to be innovative, creative, and collaborative in crafting new ways of improving the health and welfare of the people of Northeastern and North Central Pennsylvania.
The funds received from the AllOne Foundation will be utilized to enhance and expand a Medical Advocacy program across a four-county area in Northeastern PA to include an emphasis on sexual assault and human trafficking. Monies will be allocated for salaries, benefits, operations, overhead expenses, travel, printing, and training. The training will include staff attending a national conference focused on medical advocacy as well as providing training locally to medical professionals, including offering a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) nursing certification program.
The main goal of the collaboration will be to develop and implement efforts to improve the overall healthcare and medical system response to all victims and survivors of sexual violence, dating/domestic violence, and human trafficking. The program envisions systemic changes in health care provision in relation to victims of these crimes. The WRC & VIP Medical Advocates will conduct outreach to engage local hospitals and healthcare facilities as community partners. Training will be provided for healthcare professionals to assist with screening for domestic/dating violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking. Resources will be made available along with contact information for referrals to Counselor Advocates.
“The partnership and collaboration between healthcare systems, WRC/VIP, and community agencies will support survivors and provide them critical resources and referrals while providing medical professionals the tools and information necessary to understand the unique dynamics of providing services to survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking.” – Peg Ruddy, Executive Director, Women’s Resource Center
“Fortunately, both VIP and WRC currently have great partnerships in their respective communities. What is so exciting about this project, is that VIP and WRC are partnering with each other in this endeavor and bringing even more communities together. This holistic approach and collaboration with VIP/WRC, healthcare systems, and community agencies can only enhance services and care to victims of domestic violence, human trafficking, and sexual abuse/assault/harassment.” – Michele Minor Wolf, Executive Director, Victims’ Intervention Program
Thank you to the AllOne Foundation for its support of this growing program and partnership.
