The Volunteer Center

SASS acknowledges this complex issue and is working with other community agencies to provide resources to this specific population. This summer, SASS began working with The Volunteer Center (TVC). Our partnership began because we are both serving individuals struggling to meet their basic needs. SASS helped with TVC's food distribution in Bayard, Santa Clara, and Hachita while also distributing brochures on our services.  The collaboration works well, as TVC needs the help packing and distributing food boxes and SASS strives to raise awareness of the services we offer.    

"It is absolutely essential for social justice organizations to work together to create and sustain holistic approaches to providing social services and support for individuals experiencing hunger, poverty, violence, sexual violence, discrimination, and homelessness. These problems do not exist each in a vacuum, but intersect in the lives of our recipients and clients. Collaborations between The Volunteer Center and SASS can ensure that those who need support services the most are receiving complete approaches to meeting their needs and the greater needs of our community." ~Becca Anderson, Director of Programs, The Volunteer Center

A primary goal of operations at Townside Farm is access to fresh foods as well as education of where this food comes from and how it's grown. In early 2013 Townside Farm received a grant from Single Socks Community Thrift Store for the support of local food production in the ending of hunger or food shortage in Grant County. The funds from this grant sponsored the cost of 1 CSA share for the 2013 growing season to be used in partnership with a local social advocacy group. This has always been a goal of Townside Farm, and with this funding the goal was realized. 

Doug Smith & Peter Day ~Townside Farm

Townside Farm started working with Silver Regional Sexual Assault Support Services (SASS) to sponsor 2 half CSA shares for the 2013 season. This allowed survivors in need to receive fresh produce weekly, directly assisting "those that are struggling with food issues which are exacerbated at times due to the traumatic stress associated with sexual violence... It is amazing what fresh food can do for individuals that are healing. As well, the CSA project alleviates the stress associated with food costs, which are significant."--Colleen Boyd, Executive Director SASS

SASS selected two beneficiaries of the CSA share, and recipients have reported a more positive attitude (the basic building block of any healing process). "This is what bringing food to the people is all about and Townside Farm is proud to be of assistance to this program and looks forward to the future of being able to assist the SASS program and the greater community, one family at a time."--Douglas Smith, Townside Farm  

Please contact these outstanding community resources for more information!

The Volunteer Center

www.tvcgrantcounty.org

501 E 13th Street

Silver City, NM

575-388-2988

Townside Farm

3100 Little Walnut Road

Silver City, NM

575-388-2098

For more information on the connection between sexual violence and poverty click here: http://www.pcar.org/sites/default/files/file/poverty.pdf 

Grant & Hidalgo County Are 100 STRONG FOR SURVIVORS!

As you may know, many non-profit agencies like SASS rely on fundraising and contributions from the community to keep critical services available to everyone who needs them.  Through the month of September, SASS held a fundraiser entitled "100 Stong for Survivors." The goal was to find 100 individual or group donors to each donate $100 in order to raise $10,000. 

While we did not reach our goal, the fundraiser was a huge success!! Our efforts raised $5,203.00.  Donations varied from $0.50 to $500, and individuals graciously gave what they could.  Contributions allow us to continue our daily work of assisting survivors, educating the community, and moving forward in the movement to end sexual violence.

SASS would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to all of our donors.  We most certainly would not be able to do what we do without all of you!

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