Vision Of Hope

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About Vision of Hope

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Vision of Hope, launched in July 2005, is a project of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape. The campaign works to protect our children from the devastation of sexual abuse.

Child sexual abuse happens at an alarming rate. One in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused by age 18. While these statistics are shocking, they do not express the anger, betrayal, fear, guilt and self-hatred that is often experienced by victims – our children.

As adults, we have the power to intervene and protect their childhoods from further devastation. By remaining silent and inactive, we impose the burden of speaking out on the child who is already forced to cope with the reality that someone they love, trust or even live with has taken her/his innocence.

Through Vision of Hope, we are working to protect – and restore – the hopes and dreams of our children.

Nationally, Vision of Hope will promote:

  • Critical Research,
  • Effective prevention strategies, and
  • Adult responsibility and accountability.

Other PCAR projects include the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, the HERO Project and TeenPCAR. For more information on child sexual abuse visit:
http://www.heroproject.org/en/what-is-child-sexual-abuse
http://www.nsvrc.org/publications/fact-sheets
http://www.teenpcar.com/

Investing in Solutions

Advocates across the country work diligently to develop and execute innovative programs, curricula and initiatives that serve to prevent and minimize the impact of child sexual abuse. With proper support and funding these tools have the power to calm the cries of a child, quiet her/his fears and heal the wounds of abuse through kindness and compassion that inspires trust.

Children’s dreams are pure and their futures deserving. Learn how you can invest in solutions that bring promise and hope to those most vulnerable – our precious children.

Together, we can be their hope.

Our accomplishments

Achievements and Successes…We are Making a Difference

Mandated Reporter Training

In 2008 and 2009 Vision of Hope provided funding for Network of Victim Assistance of Bucks County to develop and implement a comprehensive training curriculum and trainer’s guide for educating mandated reporters about the signs and symptoms of child sexual abuse. Mandated reporters are teachers, child care workers, medical professionals, police officers and anyone else who works with children. The Mandated Reporter Curriculum is now available for wider use statewide.

The 2010 Vision of Hope grant was awarded to PA Academy of Family Physicians Foundation, to expand their statewide training of family doctors on the detection and intervention of child sexual abuse.

Internet Safety Programs

Vision of Hope also provided funding to develop and implement an Internet Safety Program for Parents, to be presented in a series of hands-on workshops addressing the dangers of internet predators, safety within social networking sites and monitoring home computer usage to protect children from exposure to pornography and sexual solicitation. This program was funded by Vision of Hope in 2009 for implementation in Bradford County. Through a generous Verizon Foundation grant, the Internet Safety Program was expanded to Cumberland County in October 2009.

Children’s Therapy

Vision of Hope supported each of the 51 rape crisis centers this year to help them purchase supplies to use in children’s counseling. Many of the counselors are trained in using art and play therapy to help children communicate their stories of abuse and move forward in their healing process.

Expect Respect - Bullying Education

PCAR is providing support and funding to local rape crisis centers as they implement the Expect Respect program in partnership with local schools and community agencies. The Expect Respect program was developed by Safe Place in Austin, TX and is a multi-level approach to promote healthy relationships in teens, create an inclusive space for teen survivors of violence, as well as change community-level social norms. One project is being funded by Vision of Hope, with a charitable grant from The Wells Foundation, to effect positive and permanent change in school culture in Dauphin, Cumberland and Perry Counties.

Literature Review

Vision of Hope funded research that conducted a scholarly literature review and evaluated programs and materials related to the prevention and intervention of child sexual abuse. This helped identify gaps in the response to child sexual assault, as well as priority areas of research and promising practices.

The HERO Project

The statewide, community-based, child sexual abuse prevention program, called HERO, is designed to educate and motivate adult community members to call the 24-hour HERO Hotline if they suspect child sexual abuse. Through this media-driven empowerment model, Vision of Hope hopes to further engage adults as the protectors of children and encourage them to “STEP IN, STOP ABUSE” by talking with their peers about how to report suspected abuse. For more information visit the web site at www.heroproject.org.

RYOT Against Rape

Rallying Youth Organizers Together is a network of teen activists that engage teens in the anti-violence movement to end sexual violence, sexual harassment and bullying. RYOT Against Rape helps teens who have been sexually abused transcend their identity as victims to become empowered activists. Activities include partnering with local rape crisis centers to conduct teen outreach at local shopping malls, community events and fairs and participating in educational theatrical performances about the impact of violence on youth.

A message from our honorary gala chair

Message from Michele M. Ridge

Greetings!

As a mother of two and honorary chair of the Vision of Hope Gala, I want to thank you for taking a moment to learn more about child sexual abuse and how you can help these young victims whose fullest potential may never be realized.

During my tenure as first lady of Pennsylvania, I had the opportunity to meet and spend time with victims of sexual abuse, both young and old. Often shared with me was the profound impact these acts of violence had upon their lives.

Every child deserves a chance at a life filled with love, laughter, friends and family. I believe Vision of Hope can make this happen. While our ultimate vision of ending child sexual abuse may be ambitious, I am confident that each of us has the power to make a difference in the life of a child.

In reducing child sexual abuse, we are further protecting our sons, daughters, grandchildren, nieces, nephews or students from despair. With your generosity, we can support prevention and intervention resources that will bring promise and hope to those most vulnerable – our precious children.

Please join me as we work together to “touch a life, make a difference and shape a future” for generations to come.

Very Sincerely,

Michele M. Ridge

Advisory Council members

Dr. Wanda Filer
Chair, Vision of Hope
York, PA
Michele Ridge
Honorary Gala Chair
Chevy Chase, MD
Delilah Rumburg
CEO, PCAR
Enola, PA

Mr. Jim Anderson
Exec Dir, Juvenile Court Judges’ Commission
Harrisburg, PA  
Affiliation:  Criminal Justice

Mr. Anthony Campisi, CEO
Glatfelter Insurance Group
York, PA
Affiliation:  Business

Dr. Mary Carrasco
Executive Director, A Child’s Place at Mercy
Pittsburgh, PA
Affiliation:  Medical / Victim Services

Ms. Mitru Ciarlante
Director, Youth Initiative
National Center for Victims of Crime
Washington, DC
Affiliation:  Victim Services

Ms. Beth Docherty
Researcher, Duquesne University
Pittsburgh, PA
Affiliation:  Victim Services

Dr. Richard Edley, CEO/President
CBHNP/PerformCare, an AmeriHealth Mercy Co.
Harrisburg, PA
Affiliation:  Business, Medical Insurance

Mr. Mark Hanna
Hanna & Associates                                       
Pittsburgh, PA 
Affiliation:  Business

Mr. Theo Kotjarapoglus                      
Hidden Valley, PA
Affiliation:  Community Leader

Senator Allen Kukovich         
Former PA State Senator
Pittsburgh, PA 
Affiliation: Government

Ms. Susan Kurtz         
Starobin & Blanc Counseling
Harrisburg, PA 
Affiliation: Social Services
Ms. Lynn Marks
Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts
Philadelphia, PA
Affiliation: PCAR Founding Mother / Law

Dr. Maria McColgan
Director, Child Protection Program
St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children
Philadelphia, PA
Affiliation:  Medical

Ms. Tina Nixon
Executive Director
YWCA of Greater Harrisburg
Harrisburg, PA 
Affiliation:  PCAR Center – Central Region

Ms. Nobuko Oyabu                            
Arlington, VA             
Affiliation:  Photojournalist and
PCAR Honorary Board

Ms. Cathleen Palm                              
Protect our Children Committee
Bernville, PA 
Affiliation:  Child Advocate

Mr. Michael Rashid, CEO
AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Companies
Philadelphia, PA
Affiliation:  Business, Medical Insurance

Ms. Karen Smith
Assistant VP, Metro Bank
Harrisburg, PA
Affiliation:  Business

Ms. Leslie Stiles
Former Director, PA Commission for Women
Philadelphia, PA
Affiliation:  Government

Ms. Colleen Treml
Director of Marketing and Business Devpmt.
Burns White, LLC
Pittsburgh, PA
Affiliation:  Business / Marketing

Ms. Suzanne Yunghans
Executive Director
PA Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics
Media, PA
Affiliation:  Medical                     


 
A Project of the National Sexual Violence Resource Center / Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape

©2012 Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape