Challenge To Support A Violence-Free Community

Center For Women & Community (CWC) Invites Everyone To Its First Annual Event To Raise Awareness And Funds For Free Sexual Assault Support, Advocacy And Prevention Services In Hampshire County.  

Source: Center For Women and Community

The Center For Women and Community (CWC) invites the public to the first CWC Community Challenge on April 24 2021. April marks the 20th anniversary of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) – a national movement to increase both awareness and prevention of sexual assault, harassment, and abuse.  CWC Community Challenge is a way for anyone to get involved in the movement to support survivors and a violence-free community. 

The CWC Community Challenge is like a walk-a-thon with more options.  In the spirit of increasing ways to get involved: participants can choose a personalized challenge, either individually or as a team, and decide if they want to raise money and/or awareness for the free Sexual Assault Support, Advocacy and Prevention Services that CWC provides to Hampshire County.  

Challenges can range from the more traditional, such as running/walking/biking a 10k, to more “out of the box” options like selling artwork to raise funds, completing a pushup challenge, spring cleaning a neighbor’s yard, or learning a new skill. 2021 challenges so far include a team raising money by doing a daily “polar plunge,” an individual creating crochet gifts to be raffled off in return for donations, and a cyclist riding the length of the bike path for outreach likes & shares. 

Local businesses can sponsor the challenge by donating funds or prizes for participants and/or use the social media kit to raise awareness.  

Individuals and teams can sign up any time before April 24. CWC’s social media (@CWCUMass) will be highlighting spotlight challenges, sponsors, and services throughout the month. 

 Learn more and register to participate in the challenge at umass.edu/cwc/challenge 

On April 24 participants are invited to come together as a community virtually at 7 p.m. to celebrate our challenges and light a candle to acknowledge those impacted by sexual violence.  

About the Center for Women & Community  

CWC is a campus-based center, located at UMass Amherst and established in 1972, committed to providing education, advocacy, leadership and support services for people of all genders across Hampshire County.  Free and confidential services are available 24/7 to people of all genders in Hampshire County by calling 413-545-0800.   

CWC provides:  

• free and confidential support to survivors of sexual violence, relationship violence and stalking as well as their friends and family members through our 24/7 hotline, crisis counseling, advocacy, referrals, and support groups.    
• free empowerment-based general counseling and support groups on a wide range of topics.    
• leadership opportunities and education on topics such as racial, economic, & environmental justice; healthy relationships; & consent.  

For more information about this event or CWC services, visit umass.edu/cwc,  

e-mail cwc@umass.edu or call us at 413-545-0883