SUNY Potsdam Donates Supplies for Comfort Bags to Renewal House

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From left, College Store Director Lyndon Lake, Renewal House Campus Advocate Angelica, SUNY Potsdam Title IX Coordinator Stacey Basford and University Police Chief Timothy M. Ashley II.

POTSDAM, NY (10/25/2016)(readMedia)-- SUNY Potsdam recently donated 25 comfort bags for victims and survivors of sexual and interpersonal violence to St. Lawrence Valley Renewal House.

As part of the "SUNY's Got Your Back" program, SUNY Potsdam's Title IX Office, University Police and the College Store teamed up to donate items to the non-profit organization. Every day, Renewal House assists victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. The comfort bags include clothing and personal care items that survivors may need after arriving at a shelter or completing a rape kit examination.

"SUNY Potsdam is thankful for the opportunity to partner with Potsdam Auxiliary and College Educational Services (PACES), SUNY System Administration and Renewal House to make this possible for the victims and survivors of sexual assault and domestic violence in our area. We hope this small gesture will provide them with a positive start to their healing process," said Title IX Coordinator Stacey L. Basford.

In April 2016, the State University of New York launched SUNY's Got Your Back, which aims to collect and fill 2,016 comfort bags in 2016, partnering with the New York State Coalition Against Sexual Assault, the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the SUNY Title IX Coordinators Association.

Renewal House recently received a grant through the New York State Department of Health to further the mission of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's "Enough is Enough" legislation. Thanks to this funding, the organization is now able to offer on-campus hours every Wednesday during the semester from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at SUNY Potsdam. Students, staff and faculty can walk in or make an appointment to meet at the Renewal House office, located in Van Housen Extension Room 390.

"Renewal House provides our community with an invaluable resource, so naturally, we are proud to help them in any way that we can to provide these services to our community," said University Police Chief Timothy M. Ashley II.

"When Tim Ashley from University Police approached the College Store for a donation and let us know what the cause was, we did not hesitate to donate some T-shirts and crew sweatshirts for the kits. This is one donation that we hope never has to be used, but if it does, we are just happy to help in one small way," said Lyndon Lake, director of the College Store at SUNY Potsdam, which is run by Potsdam Auxiliary and College Educational Services.

Renewal House services are available both for past and present situations, and for friends or family members who may need support or information for those they care about. Renewal House services include a 24/7 hotline, crisis intervention, emotional support, advocacy, support groups, safe housing, assistance with orders of protection, education, referrals, transportation and the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program. To find out more or make an appointment, call (315) 379-9845 or visit www.slvrenewalhouse.org.

Sexual assault and violence response resources are available online for all 64 SUNY campuses here: www.suny.edu/violence-response/.

Founded in 1816, The State University of New York at Potsdam is one of America's first 50 colleges -- and the oldest institution within SUNY. As the College marks its bicentennial in 2016, SUNY Potsdam is celebrating a 200-year legacy of pioneering programs and educational excellence. The College currently enrolls approximately 4,100 undergraduate and graduate students. Home to the world-renowned Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam is known for its challenging liberal arts and sciences core, distinction in teacher training and leadership in the arts. Empowered by a culture of creativity, the campus community recently completed Take the Lead: The Campaign for Potsdam, which raised $33.5 million for scholarships and programs.

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