SOJOURNER HOUSE IS COMMITTED TO OUR COMMUNITY, AND TO YOU
Dear friends,
Sojourner House is not a partisan organization. Domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking are issues that effect people from all walks of life, and our services are available to anyone who needs them regardless of race, gender, sexuality, immigration status, or political view.
That being said, I know that after the results of Tuesday’s election, many in our community– particularly people of color, immigrants, and members of the LGBTQ+ community– are scared and concerned for their safety.
To those that are frightened, I offer you this: our commitment to continue advocating for you, supporting you, and standing with you through times of crisis.
Throughout 9 presidential administrations, Sojourner House has fought for policy changes that make our community safer for victims of abuse, and lead us towards a society free from domestic and sexual violence. Today, tomorrow, and in the years to come, we will continue this fight.
- A few reminders about who we are:
- We are the only victim services agency in the state that offers immigration assistance in-house. Last year alone we provided immigration support to 367 clients.
- We operate the only shelter in RI that’s dedicated to supporting survivors of abuse in the LGBTQ+ community, and the only shelter and transitional housing program for victims of human trafficking.
- Our education team travels across the Ocean State facilitating workshops about consent, the importance of bodily autonomy, communication between partners, boundary setting, and sexual health.
- Understanding that sexual health goes hand and hand with violence prevention, we offer free rapid HIV & HEP C testing, pregnancy tests, emergency contraception, and safer sex supplies to our community.
- As an affordable housing developer, we are actively working to be a part of the solution to the state’s housing crisis!
- As we process these emotions together, I want to remind each of you of something powerful: there is still work that can be done right here in Rhode Island to make our community safer, and your voice and your actions matter.
We know that survivors need advocates who will stand with them, listen to them, and support them in the face of adversity. We are those advocates, and our mission endures, even—and especially—when the world feels unsteady.
Let’s lean on each other for strength and inspiration. Together, we can transform our pain into action, our frustration into resolve, and our hope into a renewed commitment to justice and safety for all those we serve. We have done hard things before. And we will rise to meet this challenge again.
If you are looking to take action during this time of uncertainty, consider investing in the work of Sojourner House.
Warmly,
Vanessa Volz
President and CEO