Join the Center for Women, Politics & Policy in constructing care packages for local sexual assault survivors on Martin Luther King Day, January 21, 2013 from 11:00am - 3:00pm at Regence Group Building (100 SW Market St., Portland).
About the Cause
Makenzy Byrum of Rapid SAVE Investigation, LLC is a registered nurse and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner. Her organization provides 24/7 response to 6 Portland hospitals for forensic evidence collection following sexual assault.
"We see approximately 300 patients each year in the Portland area alone. When sexual assault patients are seen in the emergency department, it is directly following a very traumatic event. Being able to offer the patient a bag of new, comfortable clothes and toiletries is a small gesture, but can be an enormous comfort to someone who is feeling particularly vulnerable." — Makenzy Byrum
Part of the evidence collection Byrum describes requires that the patient's clothing and undergarments are retained as evidence. The CWPP constructs care packages to distribute to area emergency rooms to provide patients with adequate clothing and toiletries for their trip home. The supplies in these packages can offer a measure of comfort and dignity in a time of panic and grief. The supplies in the care packages are donated by local businesses, Center alumnae and the Center's network of friends.
Dignity Kit Partners This year's community partners include: Regence, Kaiser Permanente Dental Program,Veggie Grill, New Seasons Market, Nike, and the Assistance League of Portland who will distribute the kits as needed to hospitals.
