It takes a village

In recognition of October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month staff and friends from St. Peter’s Health Partners Acute Care – Troy donated two car loads of goods and personal care items to Unity House’s Domestic Violence Services program.

The St. Peter’s Health Partners Sexual Assault and Crime Victims Assistance program was one of the locations hosting the drive throughout the month, resulting in many needed items. The collected donations will go to Sojourner Place, Unity House’s shelter for victims of domestic violence. The shelter is a 33 bed residence housing men, women, and children who are seeking refuge from domestic and dating abuse. The diapers, shampoo, soap, tampons, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant and more will be welcome gifts for residents.

Pictured in the above photo with Unity House DV staff are, from left, Ms. Christin Guilder, Social Worker and Prevention Educator at the Sexual Assault and Crime Victims Assistance Program at Samaritan Hospital; Ms. Lindsey Crusan-Muse, Manager, Sexual Assault and Crime Victims Assistance program at Samaritan Hospital and Ms. Scarlet Clement-Buffoline, Vice President of Administration and Specialty Services, St. Peter’s Health Partners Acute Care – Troy.

At right, are Jamie and Tina with some of the items collected. Many thanks to all the St. Peter’s Health Partners Acute Care- Troy and the Sexual Assault & Crime Victims Assistance program for their support of victims of domestic violence in October and throughout the year.

About the Sexual Assault and Crime Victims Program

St. Peter’s Health Partners provides specially trained counselors to meet with survivors of sexual assault at a hospital, clinic, or private physician’s office. They can help victims/survivors with gathering evidence; obtaining medical services; receiving counseling or therapy; and advocating with police, courts, and crime victims’ agencies.

Services are free, confidential and available 24 hours a day. (Services are provided to females and males, both children and adults, without regard to race, class, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or physical ability.)  They also make referrals for services not provided by our program and can teach persons how to avoid re-victimization. Their Senior Crime Victims Assistance program helps older victims of crime, including physical, sexual and emotional abuse, financial exploitation, fraud, neglect, and abandonment.

Many thanks to Saint Peter’s Health Partners and all their ancillary locations who collected needed items.

 For more information on Unity House’s Domestic Violence Services program and how you can help, contact info
@unityhouseny.org

 Help is always available to victims of domestic violence at Unity House’s Domestic Violence Hotline:  (518) 272-2370.